My crock pot corn chowder is a thick soup with tender potatoes, bacon and spicy heat. Make this easy corn chowder recipe for a hearty meal!

I love to make crockpot meals, and if you work from home like I do, then you have the benefit of smelling your meal as it cooks. If you have to leave the house, then rest assured; when you get back home, dinner will be ready and waiting.

Crock pot corn chowder

Loaded with sweet corn, chunks of tender potatoes, carrots onions, and crumbled, smoky bacon, this Southwest inspired corn chowder is amazing! There’s a slight kick from a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, and although it’s super creamy, there is no cream in this chowder soup!

That’s right, no cream or butter are used, but the flavors and textures still scream pure comfort food.

Prep the veggies and into the slow cooker they go. Push one little button and you’re set! This robust and hearty corn chowder soup is loaded with creamy goodness and flavors of the Southwest!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Sweet corn

The fall and winter months are the very best time of year to enjoy corn chowder. Unfortunately, fresh sweet corn is only in season during the summer. It’s okay, though; my easy corn chowder recipe calls for either frozen or canned corn.

In addition to the niblets, you’ll also need a can of creamed corn. This is my secret ingredient for making a thick and creamy corn chowder without heavy cream. The benefits here are that creamed corn is less expensive and lower in calories.

• Thickeners

This chowder recipe is made in the crock pot, so rather than making a traditional roux to thicken the soup, I use a slurry of cornstarch and evaporated milk.

I use evaporated milk because it contains 60% less water then regular milk. If you make slow cooker soups often, you probably know that they don’t reduce down and thicken. This is because the steam can’t escape during cooking. The slurry thickens the crock pot corn chowder soup perfectly.

• Other veggies

Diced potatoes are what make a chowder a chowder, and onions are a standard ingredient. Yellow, white, or even red onion can be used. As for the potatoes, I prefer to use Yukon Gold or thin skinned reds. You can use Russet potatoes, and they do a good job of helping to thicken the chowder. However, they tend to break down and become mealy if the soup cooks too long.

I like to add diced carrots for a pop of color, but you can leave them out and the soup will be delicious.

The only other veggie I use in this recipe is a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. I like to make my own chipotle peppers, and it’s easier than you might think! If you don’t want that extra work, just buy a can of them.

💡 No waste PRO TIP
You can freeze chipotles in adobo!

To freeze the chiles, chop them (or leave them whole), and freeze them surrounded in adobo sauce in an ice cube tray. When you want to add a spicy kick to a bowl of Instant pot chili or some scrambled eggs, pop out a cube and toss it into whatever you’re making.

• Optional meat

I add bacon to my crock pot corn chowder because I love the smoky flavor it adds. If you’d like to make a vegetarian corn chowder, you’re welcome to omit the meat.

However, if you’re a meat lover and you want add more meat, feel free to add any cooked protein of your choice. The most popular is chicken corn chowder, but feel free to use your imagination! I think it would be fantastic with leftover holiday ham or turkey breast.

Video: making corn chowder

For visual step by step instructions, be sure to watch the video located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Recipe notes and tips

1. Dice the veggies uniformly. Don’t stress over this; just try to keep the veggies approximately the same size. This ensures that everything cooks evenly.
   
2. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
   
3. Reheat on stove top over medium heat. If your corn chowder is frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Note:
If you’re planning to freeze the corn chowder soup, I recommend using red potatoes. The second choice is Yukon Gold, and Russets only if there are no other options.

I find that Russets tend to get mealy in texture after being frozen, though not every time. My thinking is it the amount of starch in them, not positive. Just something to think about.

Those pops of sweet corn, the slight kick from the chipotle, tender carrots and potatoes and the smoky bacon all come together. Looks pretty good for no cream or butter, huh? Tastes even better, and this recipe makes a large batch, so I usually freeze half for a later use.

Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread or some Mexican cornbread and you’ll be set for a delicious comfort food meal!

For other crock pot meal ideas, check out my recipes for sweet and sour ribs, crock pot bolognese sauce, or root beer pulled pork.  Enjoy!

This post, first published on Kevin Is Cooking Oct. 24, 2016, was last updated with new content on Nov. 26, 2021.