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This Creamy Corn, Zucchini, and Bacon Chowder is one of the best late summer corn chowders. It’s easy to make and totally delicious! Just grab a few ears of sweet corn, garden fresh zucchini, garlic, butter, herbs, and sweet creamy gouda cheese. In less than an hour you can have the perfect, summery, yet cozy bowl of zucchini corn chowder. Tuesday night dinner just got so much better! Add a side salad for the perfect meal!
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We’re entering into the late summer days. And in looking at the calendar, I’m realizing that somehow, August 1st is already this Sunday! With all the travel and work that July brought, the month really flew by. And as sad as I am to say good bye to July for yet another year, I’m looking forward to all the August produce that’s coming.
August is typically the month when summer produce is at its best. The tomatoes are ripening, the corn is perfectly golden and sweet. And by this time, all the garden zucchini and herbs are growing like crazy!
And if you don’t have a garden, the stores are stocked full of all the same delicious produce. This sounds dorky to say, but it’s an exciting time!
I had the idea for the chowder before heading off to Alaska. But I decided to wait to share the recipe until this week, since we’re a bit closer to prime time corn season now.
I didn’t always love a bowl of corn chowder. But once I started making it I quickly learned why everyone loves this creamy delicious summer soup. It’s full of veggies, hearty and warming, but so summery at the same time.
I love making a really good creamy corn chowder on those stormy summer nights when you’re craving a cozier dinner, but still want it to be summery. This is the perfect soup!
This corn chowder is simple
Like most corn chowder recipes, mine is pretty simple to throw together. But I did add a few special touches that make it even more creamy and delicious.
Start with the bacon, which I think is the key to all really great corn chowders. Something about the flavor combination of corn and bacon is just so wonderful and delicious.
Crisp up the bacon, then you’ll want to add the onion and zucchini. I like to cook the zucchini together with a touch of butter to help make it even creamier. Since the soup is already so creamy, when adding the zucchini there’s no need for any thickening agent like flour.
Once you have the zucchini nice and soft, almost everything else goes into the pot to simmer along with the potatoes and corn. When the potatoes and corn are tender, puree about half of the soup using a food processor or immersion blender to make it creamy, keeping the other half of the soup on the chunky side.
I love the mix in textures!
Now finish it up!
Once the soup is combined, mix in a splash of cream, a touch of honey, and some gouda and cheddar cheese.
I know the honey may seem odd, but this is one of those times you really have to trust me. The sweetness of the corn and gouda cheese play off the red pepper flakes to balance the sweetness and create the perfect rich, creamy, and flavorful corn chowder.
It’s unique, but I’m telling you guys, it’s so delicious! Very savory, a little spicy, and extra cheesy.
As I mentioned above, this is really great served with a big summer salad. Right now my peach salad is my favorite, but any nice green salad with crusty bread would be great!
If you’ve got some extra ears of corn lying around, make this chowder. I promise, you and whomever you are serving, are going to love this. It’s a great dinner to serve from now through the early weeks of fall!
Looking for other corn recipes? Here are some favorites:
Honey Garlic Shrimp, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Salad
Garlic Herb Corn Carbonara with Burrata
Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Lazone with Herby Corn
Lastly, if you make this Creamy Corn, Zucchini, and Bacon Chowder, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamy Corn, Zucchini, and Bacon Chowder
Ingredients
- 5 strips thick cut bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1-2 medium zucchini or yellow squash, chopped, (about 2 cups chopped)
- 5 cups yellow corn kernels , (from about 4 ears corn)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- red pepper flakes, to your taste
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and chopped, (about 2 cups chopped)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and reserve for topping. If there is an excess amount of bacon grease, remove all but 1 tablespoon of grease.2. To the pot, add the butter, onion, and zucchini and cook another 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the corn, garlic, thyme, paprika, and a big pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook another 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and broth. Cover, and bring the soup to a boil, simmer 10-15 minutes, until the potato is soft.3. Transfer 1/2 of the chowder to a blender and blend until mostly smooth. Return to the pot. Stir in the cream, honey, and both cheeses, and cook 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chowder thickens slightly. Stir in the chives and remove from the heat.4. Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with bacon, additional cheese, and any fresh herbs you love most. I use basil, thyme and oregano. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Do you add the corn raw? It doesn’t say when to add corn in the instructions
Corn is in step 2 🙂
On her Instagram story, she adds the raw corn (off the cob) into the same soup pot and cooks along with the onions and squash.
Hey Caitlin,
Yes, the corn is added raw, in step 2. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was delicious. I did leave out the honey however, our sweetcorn is so sweet this year.
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan
Any substitutes for the bacon…without losing the spirit of the chowder?
Hey Scott,
I would just omit the bacon, you could even add some poblano peppers! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This looks AMAZING!! And I love that it takes such a short amount of time to put together. I’m wondering if you could recommend something to add instead of thyme?
Thank you!
-Lauren
Hey Lauren,
Thanks so much! Any other herb that you enjoy will work, rosemary, sage, and oregano would all be great options. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
This looks so delicious! Wondering if I could use Yukon potatoes instead of russet? Maybe they would end up too soft…
Hey Sarah,
I think Yukons would also be great here! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Looks amazing! Adding this to next weeks menu. What if I added a roasted poblano pepper?
Hey Karen,
Thanks so much! Sure, a poblano would be fantastic! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Omg. Looks so delicious. Other than omitting the salt, any way or suggestions as to make this. I’m on a sodium “free” diet. So far able to manage. This looks like taking the risk!
Hey Lisa,
Thanks! I would probably omit the bacon as well since it contains a lot of salt. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
This was so delicious! My husband is now on his 3rd bowl. It is so creamy and the Gouda really takes it to the next level! Will definitely be making again.
Hey Brinley,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Perfect for late July fresh corn! So thankful for Tieghan!
I hope you love the recipe Meg! xTieghan
Even though I didn’t have all of the ingredients on hand I had to make it. I used leeks instead of onion, prosciutto instead of bacon, Monterey Jack instead of Gouda, and Half and Half instead of cream. This soup was absolutely awesome, a perfect blend of sweet and savory. Adding fresh basil and chives at the end was perfect. Can’t wait to try it with Gouda! This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Hey Karen,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Omg! I got this recipe in my inbox this morning and my mom and I were to the farmers market and cooking this by tonight! Followed your recipe exactly and it came out so phenomenal. People, do not let the summer pass without making this amazing soup! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Hey Corey,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Oooh I love me a good smoky corn chowder and yours, Tieghan, looks especially good! I don’t usually think about making hot soup in the summer but it sounds so good to me, especially at the height of sweet corn, squash and herbs season! Thanks girl, for another really beautiful recipe.
Thanks so much Amy! I hope you love the recipe:) xTieghan
I’ve got squash coming out of my ears, so this is perfect! I might make it up and freeze some. What do you think… is it freezable?
Hey Jill,
Yes, I think that will be totally fine to do! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
EEEEEEEK hot chowder in the summer? I’m sweating just thinking about it.
I’ll save this for October 🙂
Hope you love it!
Can you recommend a good swap for thyme in your recipes? It just doesn’t taste good to me but I see it frequently in your yummy looking recipes. I thought it might be fine in a soup before and made a lobster bisque that got thrown away. 🙁
Hey Heather,
Really any other herb you like! Rosemary, sage, or oregano would be great. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This looks amazing! I can’t do potatoes but I think I’m going to try it with cauliflower as a substitute. Do you have any feedback about possible issues with that substitution?
Hey Lisa,
I’ve never tried cauliflower here, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan