Maple Bacon Corn Chowder with Cream
A hearty, creamy chowder combining crispy maple bacon with sweet corn, tender potatoes, and aromatic vegetables in a rich chicken broth base. Finished with country cream and Italian spices for a comforting, restaurant-quality soup with depth of flavor from caramelized aromatics.
Ingredients
- 13 oz maple bacon, cut into large piecesregular bacon1:1porkmeat
reduces maple sweetness
- olive oil, for drizzling
- ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- ¼ cup flour, all-purpose
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups corn, frozen
- 16 tbsp country cream, 15%heavy cream1:1dairy
similar fat content
- 10 baby potatoes, cut in 4russet potatoes diced1:1starch
different texture when diced
- ½ tablespoon Italian spices, dried
- salt, to taste(optional)
- black pepper, from the mill, to taste(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cook bacon with olive oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside. Remove three-quarters of the fat from pan.
- 2
Add onion and garlic with olive oil. Cook, stirring, until softened.
- 3
Add celery and carrots with olive oil. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften.
- 4
Add flour, mix and cook, stirring, briefly. Pour in chicken broth and whisk to break up lumps.
- 5
Add corn, cream, potatoes, Italian spices, and reserved bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- 6
Reduce heat to low, cover leaving ⅓" uncovered, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Tips
Reserve bacon fat for richness; removing three-quarters prevents excessive greasiness.
Leave 1 cm uncovered while simmering to allow slight evaporation and prevent overflow.
Whisk broth thoroughly after adding flour to prevent lumps from forming.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Prepare through step 3 up to 1 day in advance. Complete cooking just before serving.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with additional bacon bits or fresh chives if desired.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip removing excess bacon fat to avoid an overly greasy, heavy chowder.
Do not omit whisking broth after flour addition to avoid lumpy texture.
Do not cover completely while simmering to avoid boiling over and losing the 1 cm clearance.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
reduces maple sweetness
different texture when diced