Best Illinois Corn Chowder Recipes

SUMMER CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until onion has softened and just starting to brown around edges, about 8 - 10 minutes.
• Add in the flour and garlic and cook 1 1/2 minutes. While whisking, slowly pour in 5 cups water or broth.
• Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then stir in corn kernels and potatoes. Add in thyme and bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Remove bay leave then transfer 2 1/2 cups of the chowder to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Stir the mixture back into the pot then stir in half and half and honey. Sprinkle each serving with chives and optional cheddar.

OLD FASHIONED POTATO CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the bacon and onion, until the bacon is browned and the onion is tender.
• Add the water, potatoes, and corn and cook at a simmer until the potatoes are tender (about 20 minutes).
• Stir in milk, butter, pepper, and salt.
• Bring to a gentle boil, turn off heat, and serve.

CHEDDAR CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon and olive oil until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and butter to the fat, and cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
• Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob and blanch them for 3 minutes in boiling salted water. Drain. (If using frozen corn you can skip this step.) Add the corn to the soup, then add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a garnish of bacon.

ILLINOIS CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or other large, pan cook sausage with onion, crumbling sausage into small pieces.
• Drain grease off.
• Add potatoes, water & spices.
• Bring mixture to a boil & simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add both cans of corn & evaporated milk.
• Simmer but do not boil.
• I have used substituted 2 cups of frozen corn for the whole kernel corn.

BASIC CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Shuck corn, and use a paring knife to strip kernels into a bowl. Put cobs in a pot with 4 cups water; bring to a boil, cover and simmer while you continue.
• Put butter or oil in a saucepan, and turn heat to medium-high. When butter melts or oil is hot, add onion and potatoes, along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 5 minutes; add tomatoes and cook, stirring, for another minute or two.
• After corncobs have cooked at least 10 minutes, strain liquid into onion-potato mixture; bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. When potatoes are tender, add corn kernels and milk, and heat through. Taste, and adjust seasonings. Garnish with the parsley, and serve.

CLASSIC CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute onion in butter until tender. Add the water, corn and potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 16-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the milk, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with parsley.