Slow Cooked Corn Chowder

IMG_7961_zpsfcf6a598

I’ve been enjoying our crock pot since Christmas. For one-dish meals, it works wonders, whether in the morning or at dinner time. Every new recipe is a brand new adventure. Sometimes it doesn’t really work out how I’d like (like when I made polenta in the crock – only to discover I’d rather stand at the stove and stir it into creamy, delicious, goodness instead of the more clumpy version the slow cooker allows). Sometimes the outcome tastes better than what I imagined at first – like this blueberry coconut steel cut oats recipe.

Recently I decided to attempt corn chowder in the crock. I decided to precook some of the vegetables on the stove with the spices that would eventually make it into the chowder anyway. If you’re wanting to merely throw this together and forget about it, like a crock pot is good for, you’re welcome to.

This chowder was very creamy, with the sweetness familiar to corn chowder. I used Yukon gold and red potatoes so that they’d hold their shape while the chowder cooked, rather than fall apart like a russet would. Do whatever you want. If the chowder thickens up more than you like, simply add a little more broth or milk. This is an easy, comforting meal perfect for the drawn out cold winter days and nights we’ve been having!

 

Slow Cooked Corn Chowder

Serves 6-10.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium leek, thinly sliced (hard green parts removed)
1 large onion, diced
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
2 large stalks celery, diced
1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, diced
2 large carrots, cut in half, then sliced in half moons
2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. ground white pepper
½ tsp. smoked paprika
½ tsp. ground cumin
4 cups diced Yukon gold and/or red potatoes
3 cups sweet corn kernels (frozen is A-OK)
4 cups No-Chicken Broth
2 cups milk (preferably whole milk)
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a medium-sized skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent and the leeks completely tender (5-7 minutes). Add the diced celery, bell pepper, carrots, two teaspoons of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin, stirring to evenly combine everything.

Pour the contents of the skillet into your crock pot, along with the diced potatoes and corn, broth, milk, and heavy cream. Stir everything to combine the ingredients well. Cover and turn the crock pot on high for 5-7 hours. Stir the chowder, then taste and add more salt and pepper to your liking.

Serve hot.

About Julie Hashimoto-McCreery

28 year old food blogger and writer.
This entry was posted in Dinner, Lunch, Soup, Vegetarian and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

9 Responses to Slow Cooked Corn Chowder

  1. thea says:

    My husband loves this recipe but I always have trouble with the dairy products curdling during the process, and I have to skim unappealing bits off the top. Can I add the dairy in the last hour or how can I avoid this issue?

    • Julie Hashimoto-McCreery says:

      Hi Thea,
      Sorry to hear about the curdling! I think you could absolutely add the dairy in the last half hour of the cooking time. Maybe use all broth while cooking in the slow cooker (rather than milk and broth), and then add the cream in at the end. I don’t think you’ll lose any of the creaminess in the finished chowder that way and hopefully no curdling will happen.

  2. Brittany says:

    Can this all be combined the night before and then heated in the morning? I’m thinking maybe I could save time by doing the skillet step, adding everything to the crockpot and putting it in the refrigerator overnight.

  3. Missy says:

    My husband and I love this recipe! It is one of the best corn chowder recipes I have tried. It’s easy and there is so much flavor!! Thank you for sharing it on your blog.

  4. thea says:

    This is now a favorite at my house. Best Corn Chowder ever.

    • Julie Hashimoto-McCreery says:

      Thea, I am so happy to hear this! It’s definitely good corn chowder AND crock pot weather these days! :)

  5. I love crock pot recipes! They make life a little less hectic.This looks wonderful.
    -Allison

  6. Kelsey says:

    Yum! I love chowders

Leave a Reply to Julie Hashimoto-McCreery Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *