Ham and Corn Chowder with Creamed Corn
Creamy ham and corn chowder combining diced potatoes, celery, and onion in a milk-based roux. Fresh and frozen corn add sweetness and texture, while diced ham provides protein and savory depth. Finished with thyme and cayenne for subtle seasoning. A comforting stovetop chowder ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 rib celery, diced
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- 2 tablespoon margarine or butterbutter1:1neutral
higher fat content for richer flavor
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 3 cup milk
- 2 cup cooked ham, diced
- 2 cup potatoes, cooked and diced small
- 1 ½ cup frozen corn
- 14 ¾ ounce canned cream-style corn
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Boil water and peel potatoes, then dice them.
- 2
Boil potatoes for about 10-15 minutes until soft but not mushy.
- 3
Dice ham, onion, and celery.
- 4
In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in butter until softened.
- 5
Stir in flour until well blended.
- 6
Gradually add milk while stirring.
- 7
Bring to a boil while stirring until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- 8
Stir in cooked potatoes, ham, frozen corn, cream-style corn, thyme, cayenne, and salt.
- 9
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes until heated through.
Tips
Cook potatoes until just softened to prevent mushiness in the finished chowder.
Gradually add milk to the roux to prevent lumps from forming.
Stir frequently while simmering to distribute flavors evenly and prevent sticking.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally.
Prepare potatoes, ham, onion, and celery up to 1 day ahead and store separately. Make chowder up to 1 day in advance.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Pairs well with crusty bread or oyster crackers.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip gradually adding milk to prevent lumpy roux.
Do not overcook potatoes to avoid mushy texture in finished chowder.
Do not skip stirring during simmering to avoid scorching on the bottom.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
slightly less creamy texture