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My Easy Ham and Corn Chowder recipe came to life one chilly evening when I was looking for ways to transform leftover holiday ham into something special. This creamy bowl of comfort has become our family's favorite soup loaded with tender potatoes sweet corn and crispy bacon. The way it fills our home with amazing aromas while it simmers makes even the coldest days feel cozy.
Why This Soup Warms My Heart
There's something magical about this chowder that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. The rich creamy broth the perfect balance of smoky bacon and sweet corn and those tender bites of ham create pure comfort in a bowl. The best part? It all comes together in one pot using simple ingredients I usually have on hand. It's become my go to recipe for those nights when we need something warm and satisfying but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Everything You'll Need
- Bacon: This adds such amazing smoky flavor and those crispy bits on top make everything better.
- The Basics: Sweet onion celery and plenty of garlic create our flavor foundation.
- Flour: Just enough to give us that perfect creamy thickness.
- Broth: I use chicken broth but make it low sodium if you're watching salt.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes our chowder luxuriously silky.
- The Stars: Sweet corn ham and hearty potatoes bring everything together.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning works perfectly and a pinch of cayenne for those who like a little heat.
Let's Make It Together
- Starting with Bacon
- I always begin with the bacon letting it get nice and crispy in our soup pot. That golden brown bacon and those precious drippings are going to flavor our whole chowder. I set most of the bacon aside for topping saving some of those crispy bits will make everyone happy later.
- Building Our Base
- Those vegetables go right into the bacon drippings where they turn sweet and tender. When I add the garlic and flour the kitchen starts smelling absolutely amazing.
- Creating Our Chowder
- Next comes my favorite part. As the broth goes in I make sure to scrape up all those flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. Then in goes our cream corn ham potatoes and seasonings. It's like watching magic happen in the pot.
- The Final Touch
- Once everything's tender I taste and adjust the seasonings. That sprinkle of reserved bacon on top makes it look as good as it tastes.
Making It Your Own
Over the years I've discovered so many ways to adapt this chowder. Sometimes I'll use half and half for a lighter version just remember to keep the heat gentle so it doesn't curdle. While I love Russet potatoes for their starchiness Yukon Golds work beautifully too. And don't worry if your ham seems salty just use low sodium broth to balance things out.
Perfect Pairings
In my house no bowl of this chowder is complete without some crusty bread for dunking. Sometimes I'll whip up a batch of garlic bread or warm some cornbread in the oven. When I want to make it a complete meal I'll toss together a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette it cuts through the richness perfectly.
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Making It Last
Let me share my favorite storage tips for this chowder. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for several days actually getting even better as the flavors meld. When reheating I always do it slowly on the stovetop a splash of chicken broth helps bring back that perfect consistency. While you can freeze it just know the cream might change texture a bit but it's still delicious.
What Makes This Recipe Special
The beauty of this chowder lies in its simplicity. It transforms basic pantry ingredients into something that tastes like it came from a cozy restaurant. I love how versatile it is whether I'm making it for a quiet family dinner or doubling the batch for guests. And those moments when everyone's gathered around the table with steaming bowls that's what cooking is all about.
Fun Ways to Switch It Up
My kitchen has become a chowder experiment lab over the years. Sometimes I'll swap the ham for smoky sausage or leftover chicken. Adding colorful bell peppers brightens everything up and my spice loving friends always add extra cayenne. Each variation seems to become someone's new favorite.
Perfect for Those Holiday Leftovers
This chowder became my favorite way to reinvent holiday leftovers. That leftover Easter or Christmas ham transforms into something completely new and delicious. Every year my family actually looks forward to the "after holiday" chowder almost as much as the holiday meal itself. It's become such a tradition that sometimes I buy extra ham just knowing I'll be making this soup.
Your Questions Answered
After sharing this recipe with friends I often get asked the same questions. Yes you can definitely freeze it though I'll be honest the cream might change a bit when thawed. For reheating gentle is the key low heat and a little patience brings back that perfect consistency. And fresh corn? Absolutely! During summer when the corn is sweet and crisp it adds such amazing texture and flavor.
More Cozy Soups to Try
If you fall in love with this chowder like my family has let me suggest some other favorites. My creamy corn chowder is perfect for summer when fresh corn is abundant. And on really cold days nothing beats my ham and lentil soup. Each one brings its own comfort to the table and they're all just as easy to make.
Why This Chowder Keeps Coming Back to My Table
Every time I make this Ham and Corn Chowder I'm reminded why it's become such a staple in our home. It's more than just soup it's a bowl of comfort that brings everyone to the table eager to dig in. Whether I'm making it with holiday leftovers or just because we need something warm and cozy it never disappoints. The way it fills our kitchen with those amazing aromas the sound of spoons scraping empty bowls and those moments of quiet contentment as everyone enjoys their serving that's what makes this recipe truly special.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use canned corn instead of frozen?
- Yes, you can use canned corn. Just drain it well before adding. Fresh corn cut from the cob also works great when in season.
- → Why is my chowder too salty?
- Ham naturally contains salt, so use low-sodium chicken broth if you're sensitive to salt. Adjust final seasoning after tasting.
- → Can I make this chowder thicker?
- The longer you simmer, the thicker it gets. You can also add more flour at the beginning or mash some potatoes against the pot side.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently as cream-based soups can separate if heated too quickly.
- → Can I freeze this chowder?
- Cream-based soups don't freeze well as they can separate and become grainy when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.