Here’s a delicious, hearty recipe for Shrimp Corn Chowder—creamy, slightly sweet from the corn, and perfectly balanced with shrimp.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the chowder:
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional, for smoky flavor)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh or ½ tsp dried)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Cook the bacon (if using):
- In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add butter to the pot (or use bacon fat). Sauté onions until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook potatoes and corn:
- Add diced potatoes, corn, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10–12 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Add the shrimp:
- Stir in the shrimp and cook for 3–5 minutes, until pink and opaque. Shrimp cooks very quickly, so watch carefully.
- Add cream and thicken:
- Stir in the heavy cream. If you want a thicker chowder, mash a few potato pieces against the side of the pot.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with cooked bacon and fresh parsley or chives. Serve with crusty bread.
Tips & Variations
- Sweetness: Use fresh corn if possible—it makes the chowder naturally sweeter.
- Texture: For a smoother chowder, puree half of the soup before adding the shrimp.
- Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a subtle kick.
- Vegetarian: Skip shrimp and bacon; increase corn and potato for a vegetarian version.
If you want, I can also give you a “one-pot quick shrimp corn chowder” version that cooks in under 25 minutes—perfect for weeknights.
Do you want me to do that?
