I love this creamy soup. This is one of my favorites for chilly weather. A delicious rich soup packed with potatoes, corn, ham, and bacon. This Ham and Potato Corn Chowder is a homey soup that always reminds me of the good times spent with family!
Ingredients
5 ½ tablespoons butter – divided
2 c. cooked ham – diced into small cubes
2 (14.5 ounces) cans of low-sodium chicken broth
1 medium yellow onion – diced
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
2 carrots – peeled and diced
½ c. sour cream or heavy cream
⅓ c. all-purpose flour
3 c. milk
6 slices bacon – cooked crispy and crumbled
1 bay leaf
5 medium red potatoes (1 ¾ pound) – diced into ¾-inch cubes
2 celery stalks – diced
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 c. fresh corn (or frozen)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped green onions or chives, for serving
How to make Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
Step 1: Melt 1 ½ tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring often. Then, pour in the chicken broth and add the potatoes, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. To taste, season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, adjust the heat to medium. Put the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes until the potatoes are almost tender, stirring often.
Step 3: Next, add the ham and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Step 4: Melt the rest of the 4 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the flour while stirring continuously and cook for about 1 ½ minutes. Gradually add in the milk while stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper. Bring everything to a boil until the mixture has thickened, stirring. Take off the heat and whisk in the sour cream or heavy cream.
Step 5: Into the soup mixture once the potatoes are tender, pour the milk mixture and stir well.
Step 6: On top, sprinkle the crumbled bacon and garnish with some chives. Enjoy!
Notes:
Make sure to slightly under season with salt. Keep in mind that the ham and bacon will add more salt to the soup.
For this recipe, you can use leftover ham. But I do not recommend using sweet ham.
You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of kick.
You can substitute red potatoes with Yukon Golds and Russet potatoes.