Description
Hearty slow cooker corn chowder delights with creamy richness and comforting flavors. Home cooks discover an easy, satisfying meal that warms hearts and pleases palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (946 ml) sweet corn kernels
- 4 medium potatoes
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup (237 ml) cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Chopped crispy bacon or smoked ham (optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Chopped chives (optional)
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Precisely chop onions, dice carrots and celery, mince garlic, and cube potatoes. Carefully strip fresh corn kernels from cob using a sharp knife.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Layer all chopped vegetables into slow cooker. Pour broth, introducing dried thyme and bay leaf. Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper to enhance flavor profile. Stir ingredients thoroughly to ensure comprehensive distribution.
- Cooking Process: Cover with secure lid, selecting low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours. Verify potato tenderness as primary doneness indicator.
- Finishing Technique: Remove bay leaf. Use immersion blender to partially puree chowder, maintaining rustic texture. Fold in unsalted butter and heavy cream, creating silky, rich consistency. Adjust seasoning to personal preference.
- Plating and Garnish: Transfer chowder into warm serving bowls. Embellish with crispy bacon fragments, crumbled smoked ham, sharp cheddar cheese shreds, and freshly chopped chives. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Uniformly chopping vegetables ensures even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chowder.
- Broth Selection: Choose low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth to control salt levels and enhance natural flavors.
- Blending Technique: Use immersion blender sparingly to maintain some vegetable chunks, creating a rustic, hearty texture.
- Garnish Wisely: Add crispy toppings just before serving to preserve their crunch and maximize flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg