Welcome back to the blogs – it’s been a hot minute.

I’m sure like everyone else, in anticipation of the cold months ahead – I tried to spend the summer doing all the fun things with my kids instead of working.

But now it’s cold, so here we are – back to work. Back to making super cozy soup recipes to keep you all warm through the winter.

It’s a little late in the season for this one, but totally still owrth a share. Introducing my corn chowder, it’s better than all the others because it has LOTS of bacon and my secret weapon ingredient – fennel.

This creamy, hearty soup is a perfect blend of sweet corn, savoury bacon and rich velvety broth. So let’s get ready and whip up a delicious batch!

Corn Chowder with fennel and Crispy Bacon

Corn chowder soup recipe ingredients

This savoury soup recipe is chalk full of veggies, herbs and bacon of course.

Veggies, corn and fennel are the stars of the show, but we basically have a rainbow in here; including bell pepper, onion, garlic, carrot, and potatoes.

Fresh Herbs add a depth of flavour, aroma and freshness this soup recipe.  We use thyme, rosemary and bay leaf.

Bacon adds the perfect salty umami this soup needs to contrast the sweet corn and earthy veggies

A mix of vegetable stock and cream The vegetable stock adds a savoury flavour and complexity that enhances the overall taste of this soup recipe; while the cream adds a richness and velvety mouth feel. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients for the corn chowder, carrot, corn, thyme, rosemary

Why add the cob to the corn chowder broth

Using the whole cob of corn in the chowder will add the best and most intense flavour to this stock.

Allowing the stripped cobs to simmer for 20 minutes or so with the broth draws out every bit of sweet corn flavour and enhances the soup in a really subtle but impactful way. 
The stripped cobs in the corn chowder broth

When corn is not in season

This soup is one of our favourites and although it is technically seasonal – we got you covered all year round. 

Frozen corn frozen corn is a fantastic substitution for fresh corn – don’t ever let anyone tell you different. It is frozen at the peak of it’s season which preserves all that sweet yummy flavour.  Because you won’t have the cobs to add that depth of flavour – you can cheat and add a small can of creamed corn to give that broth a boost. 

Canned Corn I would suggest adding frozen over canned, only because the canned will add an unnecessary sweetness that isn’t needed for this corn chowder. 

Corn chowder with a twist

You are going to love the twist on this classic corn chowder recipe. 

You can switch up the garnish to keep it interesting because I see A LOT of this soup in your future.

Some of my favourites:

  • Sliced green onions
  • Fresh parsley
  • Crumbled  salty potato chips
  • A dollop of sour cream 
  • Dried chili flakes 
  • A little smoked paprika

Let me know if you find a favourite topping for this soup.

If you are looking for other comfort foods, check out these ones:

Sweet Potato and Coconut Stew

French Onion Soup

Moroccan Beef Stew

These recipes are sure to warm you up on a cold day.

Corn Chowder with fennel and Crispy Bacon

Corn Chowder with Fennel and Crispy Bacon

This hearty corn chowder is loaded with corn, aromatic fennel and crispy, salty bacon. If you love comfort food on a cold day this corn chowder is for you!
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Author: Kristen

Ingredients
 

  • 6 ears of corn about 41/2 cups
  • 11/2 cups bacon diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil if needed
  • 1 medium-sized white onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 bell pepper diced (red, orange or yellow work well)
  • 3/4 cup fennel stalks sliced
  • 3/4 cup carrots sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves sliced
  • 1 lb. baby yellow potatoes cut into quarters
  • 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups of veggie stock
  • 4 cups of heavy cream

Instructions

  • Cook bacon on medium heat in a large heavy bottom soup pot until crispy (add 1 tbsp olive oil if necessary). Stir occasionally. Once crispy, remove from pan and set on a paper towel lined plate to cool.
  • Remove the extra bacon fat from the soup pot and add the onions. Cook on medium for about 5 min or until translucent. Then add the garlic, peppers, carrots, and fennel and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
  • Shuck the corn and remove all the silt. Then carefully using a sharp knife, slice the corn from the cob. Place all the cut corn into a bowl rinse and set aside. Put the corn cobs into the soup pot along with the veggie stock and heavy cream. Bring to a rolling boil and then reduce the heat, add the bay leaf, and simmer the corn cobs for about 20 minutes.
  • Remove the cobs and bay leaf and discard. Add the rosemary and thyme and potatoes and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes.
  • Add the corn and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Last add the bacon back to the soup. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Notes

You can use dried herbs instead of fresh, just substitute 1 tsp of dried thyme and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary instead of the fresh amounts
If you're wondering if you can freeze this soup - while you can, I don't suggest it. With the heavy cream, it will break up and look curdled. This one is best eaten when you make it or within a couple days. 
If you can't find fennel, you can substitute celery.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 767mg | Potassium: 687mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2055IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @mysweetmess and hashtag #mysweetmess so I can see your stuff!

If you make this, I’d love to hear all about it.  Please comment below, post it on Instagram and tag me @mysweetmess and hashtag #mysweetmess.  And if you really love it, please share the link with friends and family.

Rich corn chowder with fennel and cripsy bacon

Other recipes you might enjoy

Triple berry oat muffins in liners on a cooling rack

SWEET POTATO AND COCONUT STEW

A loaf of bread with thick slices

EASY THYME AND CHEDDAR BREAD

French onion soup

CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Till the next recipe,

 

Kristen xo

Please follow and like us:
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
Instagram
RSS
Follow by Email
LinkedIn
LinkedIn