Autumn Chowder (aka Potato Corn Chowder)
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A one-pot comfort food that you’ll be making throughout the cold months! Thanks to the cheddar cheese and bacon, this veggie-loaded Autumn Chowder (aka Potato Corn Chowder) tastes so rich. This soup is easy to assemble and the leftovers can be easily frozen. Perfect for a fall potluck!
About This Recipe
I’ve been making this Autumn Chowder (aka Potato Corn Chowder) every fall for over a decade. It’s THAT good. This chowder is full of hearty vegetables and has a creamy, richness thanks to a bit of crispy bacon, milk, and freshly shredded cheddar. It’s everything you want in a bowl on a cool fall evening.
Ingredients
Like our Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup, I love that the ingredients are wholesome and easy to find.
You may also want to buy some oyster crackers and fresh chives (or parsley) as toppings for the soup.
Cooking Tip: Mise En Place
Cooking–especially a soup like this one that requires a lot of chopping ahead of time–is more enjoyable and efficient when you’re prepared. So be sure to get organized ahead of time–also known as mise en place by the French.
- Read through the recipe.
- Set out your equipment and ingredients.
- Prep any ingredients ahead that are required–like chopping veggies and bacon.
How to Make Potato Corn Chowder
This fall chowder requires a few simple steps that are well worth it in the end. Let’s begin our tasty journey with bacon.
Fry Up Some Bacon and Saute The Aromatics
I mean, if any recipe starts with bacon, I’m in. We recommend using uncured bacon but no matter the type, dice it up and throw it in a large hot pot to render the fat.
After the bacon is done and crispy, set it aside and drain off most of the grease (it will make it’s triumphant return soon). Now toss in some diced onion and garlic to the hot pan. Your kitchen will be smelling pretty phenomenal at this point.
Simmer the Soup Base
After those cook for a bit, you’ll add in some chicken broth, your cooked bacon, diced carrots, and potatoes. That will simmer for about 20 minutes or until veggies are tender.
Add More Ingredients
Stir in the milk and corn and heat until simmering.
Here’s the party where I often get questions, but just trust me that this unusual soup-thickening method works!
Toss shredded cheese with flour in a bowl. This helps thicken the soup and keep the cheese from melting into one big blob. Make sure to stir the cheese in very slowly so it melts evenly into the soup. I usually stir with a figure 8 pattern like my Food Network mentors taught me years and year ago. 🙂
Serve
Stir it all up and either eat it now or you can pop it in the fridge (or freezer) to have later!
What to Serve with the Potato Corn Chowder
Serve this soup warm with oyster crackers and chopped chives toppings. While this is a one dish wonder on its own, you can also serve with a side dish or dessert like one of these…
Can I freeze chowder?
Absolutely! Having a stash of frozen soup is one of our favorite types of freezer meals.
If you want to turn this Potato Corn Chowder into a freezer meal, simply let it cool completely and freeze it either in small freezer-friendly containers or a large one. We think these are the 5 best freezer containers.
Small portions allow for individual meals down the road. Much like our freezer meal recipes for 1-2 people, this one works great to pull out for lunches or to pass on to anyone who may need a meal.
If you freeze in a large airtight container, you have a whole meal ready to use on a busy night. We recommend a freezer storage bag and freezing it flat to save freezer space.
Then, when you’re ready to eat it, thaw the soup in the fridge completely and warm over low heat on the stove, in the slow cooker, or in the microwave. You may need to add a little extra broth if it’s too thick.
Recipe FAQs
Nope! Because we’re using Yukon gold potatoes in this recipe, there is no need to peel them. Their peel is so thin and tender, you won’t even notice they are there. What a huge time saver!
This is an interesting and easy technique to thicken the soup that we don’t normally use, but it definitely works. I learned this from my friend, Jeannette, who originally taught me the recipe. So trust the process. 🙂
More Comforting Soup Recipes
Try our other easy and comforting soups, stews, and chilis. Here are a few of our most popular ones.
We hope this delicious Potato Corn Chowder (aka Autumn Chowder) warms you through and provides some comfort this week!
How to Video
Autumn Chowder (aka Potato Corn Chowder)
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon, diced (I use uncured.)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 pound)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups diced Yukon gold potatoes – no need to peel (about 1 pound)
- 2 cups sliced or diced carrots
- 2 cups milk (I used 2%)
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (finely shredded melts better)
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (sub: all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- Optional toppings: oyster crackers, minced chives, chopped parsley
Instructions
- Saute Bacon: In a large stock pot, cook bacon over medium-high heat, until just crispy (not overly crispy), about 4-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to remove the bacon and set aside on a plate that’s covered with paper towels to absorb grease. If you want, wipe out some of the grease from the pot (leaving a little behind).
- Saute Aromatics: Add the onions to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper while they cook. Stir in the garlic and saute for 30-60 seconds more.
- Combine & Simmer: Stir in the chicken broth (scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan as you do), cooked bacon, potatoes, carrots, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover with a lid partially and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add Milk & Corn: Stir in the milk and corn and heat until simmering, another 5 minutes or so.
- Melt in Floured Cheese: Meanwhile, toss shredded cheese with flour in a bowl. Remove the pot from the heat. Slowly stir in the floured cheese to the soup, stirring constantly in a figure eight pattern until cheese is melted and the soup thickens up.
- Serve: Taste and season with more salt and pepper, as desired. (Note: If your soup is too thick, you can add more milk or stock to thin it out and then warm through. Be sure to adjust seasoning accordingly.) Serve warm. Top with minced chives and/or oyster crackers.
Freezer Instructions
Notes/Tips
- Make sure to dice the vegetables to be bite-sized and fairly similar-sized. No one wants a giant potato wedge on their spoon with tiny carrots and onions. 🙂
- I personally like to add more pepper and stir in finely chopped chives at the end to balance out the sweetness. You could also add in a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the aromatics in Step 2, if you’d like to add some heat.
- Gluten-Free Version: Simply use 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour like Bob’s Red Mill brand.
- To add more protein: Add diced, cooked chicken or turkey, or cooked, drained white beans.
- To add more veggies/fiber:
- Add in frozen cauliflower rice when adding the potatoes in Step 3. It will melt into the chowder as it cooks and be tasteless.
- Stir in chopped kale, spinach, or chives at the end of the cook time.
Nutrition
Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.
This soup is delicious! I’ve made it twice this fall already! Can you please tell me why you toss the cheese with the flour?
I just asked my friend, Jeannette, since this recipe came from her. It’s a short-cut way to thicken the soup and it may help the cheese melt more smoothly.
This soup is amazing! I added some crabmeat to this recipe and it’s a great MD crab and corn chowder!
Thanks for the feedback and unique idea. Sounds delicious!
Make this! It is one of my favorite soups. You will not be disappointed!
I doubled the recipe and swapped out carrots for sweet potatoes. I also used maple bacon for a stronger autumn flavor, and my guests loved it!
Oh my, that sounds amazing!
I personally believe in trying a new recipe exactly as written. But this time I am going to leave the bacon out til the end and put it on top of the chowder. I will use the bacon grease to cook onions & garlic in. Thanks for a great recipe.
Sounds like that would work just as well! Enjoy!
I’ve made this recipe before …making again today and I added some broccoli and serving in bread bowls! Will definitely be making this again- great recipe ! Thank you!
You’re quite welcome, Bree. I love your addition of broccoli, yum!
I just made this today. Honestly one of the best chowders I have ever tasted. I did substitute regular flour and I used maple bacon(what I had on hand) and it is delicious!! Thank you for sharing!
Best comment EVER! Thanks so much for taking the time to say this. Glad it was yummy!
Made this a couple of weeks ago it was very good, my neighbor gave me a bag of fresh corn on the cob so I’m making another batch today, everyone loves it
So glad you enjoyed it, Debbie!
when do you add the flour?
It’s in Step 4. You actually toss the cheese with the flour before adding it to the soup.
Made this tonight, and added mushrooms. So good. Thanks for the recipe. Hope there are left overs to freeze.
Ooooh, yum!
I just wanted to let you know that I made this tonight and it was a big hit! I will be posting this on my blog in the very near future and will be linking back to you, of course. 🙂
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing it!
Made it today and it was delicious. Came together very easily as well. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Yeah! 🙂
Can I use all-purpose flour in place of the whole wheat flour?
I don’t normally buy whole wheat flour, and wouldn’t really want to for just 2 Tablespoons.
Is there a special reason for the whole wheat flour?
Sure, that’s not a problem at all. I just use ww flour because it is less processed and retains more nutrition.
would t be good with gluten free flour? Would
Love to try but I have a gluten free husband…
I’ve never cooked with a GF flour for this one, so I can’t say. Sorry!
I would think so since just helps to thicken. I was planning to use corn flour myself.
Mel, Did you try it with GF flour? We are gluten free as well, but I really want to make this!
i eat soup all the time summer & winter. This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it. I’m going to check my frig & pantry & if I have all ingredients I will be making it today. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to help! I’m making it next week too!
My husband and I loved this! He was so sad when the leftovers were all gone. Do you think it would work as a freezer meal heated up in the crock pot, as well?
Absolutely! You can freeze for later and gently heat later in the crock.