Indulge in thick and creamy gluten-free corn chowder with potatoes, crispy bacon, and lots of buttery sweet corn! This easy recipe includes simple modifications for gluten-free dairy-free corn chowder, vegetarian, or vegan options.
Add the chopped bacon to a large pot or dutch oven. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the bacon is crisp, about 7-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate. Carefully tilt the pot, and you should have about 1-2 tablespoons grease left. Discard any extra.
To the bacon grease add the butter to melt. Add the onion and cook about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer.
Stir in the broth, corn, potatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, paprika, and bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf.
Use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup. Alternatively, transfer about 3 cups to a blender and process until smooth. Add back to the pot.
Mix together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Stir into the soup, heat over medium heat, cooking and stirring for about 1-2 minutes, or until the soup has thickened.
Stir in the cream, chives, and honey. Serve immediately with additional chives and reserved bacon pieces.
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Notes
Corn substitutes
Instead of frozen corn, cut fresh corn off of 8 cobs. Alternatively, use 2 14-ounce cans canned corn, drained.
dairy-free option
To make dairy-free corn chowder, the butter and cream will have to be replaced with non-dairy substitutes. Use a vegan, plant based butter or olive oil in place of the butter.For the heavy cream, replace with a dairy-free milk of choice or coconut milk. If using coconut milk, it will have a slight coconut flavor and you may want to omit the honey from the recipe.
vegan / vegetarian option
Omit the bacon and replace the drippings with 2 tablespoons plant-based butter or olive oil. Replace the milk with any preferred dairy-free options.Instead of chicken broth use vegetable broth. Read the labels carefully to make sure it is still safe for a gluten-free diet.Recipe adapted from The Chunky Chef