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Creamy Sweet Corn and Bacon Chowder

creamy sweet corn and bacon chowder - featured image
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A comforting and creamy chowder featuring sweet corn and smoky bacon, made easy in the Instant Pot for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 4 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (about 4–5 ears) or frozen
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk (or 2%)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced for garnish

Instructions

  1. Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add chopped bacon and cook 5-7 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in pot.
  2. Add butter if needed, then sauté diced onion in bacon fat for about 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning.
  3. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from bottom. Add cubed potatoes and corn kernels, stirring to combine.
  5. Seal Instant Pot lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook on high for 8 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  6. Optional: Use immersion blender to puree about one-third of the soup in the pot for creamier texture, leaving some kernels whole.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and milk, then fold in crispy bacon pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme to taste. Let sit on Keep Warm mode for 5 minutes.
  8. Ladle chowder into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve with crusty bread or preferred side.

Notes

If chowder is too thick, add broth or milk to loosen. Avoid burning onions and garlic during sauté. Natural pressure release prevents splattering and gently finishes cooking potatoes. For dairy-free, substitute cream and milk with coconut or almond milk. For gluten-free, replace flour with cornstarch slurry added at the end. Frozen corn can be used year-round.

Nutrition

Keywords: corn chowder, bacon chowder, creamy soup, Instant Pot recipes, comfort food, sweet corn, bacon, easy dinner

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/creamy-sweet-corn-and-bacon-chowder-recipe-easy-instant-pot-comfort-meal/