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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!
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
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 721 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
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!
This post was originally published on July 27, 2021
Absolutely loved this soup! This recipe was such a crowd pleaser that I have made it for 3 dinner parties this month. I kid you not that my guests went back for seconds and thirds and asked to take the leftovers home! Received tons of compliments and requests for the recipe!
The only thing I did different was to char the corn in a black cast iron skillet and kept the skins on the potatoes.
Thanks so much, Kathy! Love to hear you have been enjoying this recipe, I appreciate you making it!
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁
This was delicious . We loved it and our 3 year old did too
Hi Sally! Thank you so much for trying out this chowder recipe! So glad you and your 3 year old loved it! xT
I made this last night and it was really, really good. I did use smoked gouda rather than gouda and added 2 cups of shredded chicken. With a green salad and some bread, we were both perfectly satisfied!
I plan on making it again this morning for our daughter’s family but will use plant heavy cream, plant butter and plant cheeses due to allergies.
Wonderful choice!!!!
Hey Eileen,
Thanks so much! So glad to hear this recipe was a hit, I appreciate you making it! Have a great Friday! xxT
This is fantastic soup recipe, perfect as the weather is starting to get cool! My non-soup eaters gave it two thumbs up. I also made your beer bread recipe, another crowd pleaser!
Thank you so much🤩
Hey Nicole,
Yay! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for trying it! Have a great day! Xx
Another winner! Perfect fall chowder – the entire family went back for seconds. Can’t wait to make this again!
Hey Leila,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for making it! Hope you are enjoying fall! XxT
So flavorful! Amazing, just like all HBH dishes. I doubled the bacon and kept the skin on the potatoes
Hey Paige,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
After getting fresh corn and zucchini from the farmers market I came home and made this as written. I wish I had added some yellow squash as well. Next time. Very easy to put together just a lot of time prepping. Croissants with drizzled honey is a great accompaniment. Very good. May try adding saute’d mushrooms next time as a commenter suggested. Very good! Makes a lot! Invite company for dinner!
Hey Julie,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! x
I made this, but changed a few things up. I roasted up some mushrooms, omitted the zucchini, used frozen corn, and added a little bit of GF flour to thicken it since I don’t have a blender currently. It was SO delicious!! Will definitely make again.
Hi Erin! Thanks SO much! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the recipes! 🙂 xT
Love this! Second time, family really enjoys the deep rich corn flavor, creamy broth and, of course, bacon! Thank you!
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! Love to hear you enjoyed it! xT
I have followed you a long time and your recipes are always a sure winner! And now I am looking to make a salmon chowder- but you don’t have a recipe for one. Do you think I could use this recipe and add salmon? Any recommendations to add or subtract from this flavor profile?
Hi Debra! Yes, I’m sure you could add salmon in this one and it would turn out great! 🙂 xT
Is this a recipe I could make and freeze? Or should I freeze without dairy added and add that after thawing? Thanks!!
Hi there! Yes, maybe add the dairy in after thawing! xT
This is one of my favorite soups of all time, seriously amazing. I also add some kale to give it a little more chew and texture, 10/10!
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I appreciate you leaving a comment! 🙂 xT
So,
I want to try this but I do not own a dutch oven (yet) but is there a crockpot version of this recipe? 🙂
Hi there! You could also use any other large pot you have, it doesn’t have to be a dutch oven!
Such a yummy recipe! I made the following modifications:
-added ground beef (next time I will cook that first then put it to the side to add at the end when I add the creams)
-added chopped carrots and celery to cook with the onions
-only a drizzle of honey
-freeze dried chives and only shredded cheddar since that’s what I had!
We loved the extra protein and filling-ness that the beef added! 🙂
Sounds like you nailed this recipe! Thanks for trying it out! xT