Creamy Corn Chowder Turkey Bacon (Printable)

A comforting chowder combining sweet corn, potatoes, and smoky turkey bacon in a creamy broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

→ Dairy & Liquids

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook chopped turkey bacon until crispy, approximately 5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
02 - Discard excess fat, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pot. Add butter, then sauté onion, celery, and carrot until softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced potatoes, corn kernels, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
05 - Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
06 - Using an immersion blender, puree approximately one-third of the soup in the pot to achieve a creamy texture, or carefully blend a portion in a regular blender and return to the pot.
07 - Stir in whole milk and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
08 - Return the reserved turkey bacon to the pot, saving a small amount for garnish if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
09 - Ladle chowder into serving bowls and garnish with reserved bacon and fresh chopped chives or parsley.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, which means you can have dinner on the table without the fuss.
  • The bacon adds a whisper of smokiness that makes this feel less like everyday soup and more like something special.
  • One pot means less cleanup, and somehow the flavors taste better when everything's cooked together in the same vessel.
02 -
  • Don't skip blending part of the soup—this is what transforms it from chunky into creamy without needing flour or cream soup as a shortcut.
  • If your potatoes are still firm after fifteen minutes, give them the full twenty—undercooked potatoes won't break down for blending and will make the texture grainy.
03 -
  • Buy turkey bacon that's actually smoky—not all brands are created equal, and a good one makes this recipe sing.
  • If your soup breaks or the cream looks separated, blend the whole thing until smooth and silky, then stir in a little more broth to bring it back together.

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