Creamy Corn Chowder Turkey Bacon (Printable)

Hearty chowder with corn, potatoes, turkey bacon in a creamy broth, ideal for chilly evenings.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

→ Dairy & Liquids

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped turkey bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
02 - Drain excess fat leaving 1 tablespoon in the pot. Add butter, then sauté onion, celery, and carrot until softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in potatoes, corn, kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to combine flavors.
05 - Pour in broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
06 - Use an immersion blender to blend about one-third of the soup directly in the pot to create a creamy texture, or carefully transfer a portion to a blender and return to pot.
07 - Stir in whole milk and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 more minutes.
08 - Return turkey bacon to the pot, reserving a small amount for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
09 - Ladle chowder into bowls and top with reserved turkey bacon and chopped fresh chives or parsley.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can have bowls on the table before hunger becomes impatient.
  • The balance of creamy broth and tender vegetables makes it feel indulgent without requiring complicated techniques.
  • Smoked turkey bacon adds depth that regular bacon would struggle to match, making each spoonful feel intentional.
02 -
  • Don't skip blending some of the soup; this is what transforms it from vegetable broth into actual chowder, and it happens through that one simple step with the immersion blender.
  • If your potatoes aren't quite tender after fifteen minutes, give them the full twenty; undercooked potatoes in a creamy soup feel grainy and wrong, but waiting two extra minutes fixes it completely.
03 -
  • If you don't have an immersion blender, carefully ladle about two cups of soup into a regular blender, blend it smooth, and return it to the pot—this achieves the same creamy result without risk.
  • Smoked paprika is worth the pantry space; it elevates soups, stews, and roasted vegetables by adding depth that regular paprika simply can't match.

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