Easy Ham and Corn Chowder
This corn chowder recipe has quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re using a ham steak (as I do in this recipe) or leftover Easter ham, Easy Ham and Corn Chowder is a deliciously quick meal that is creamy and satisfying.
Easy Ham and Corn Chowder Recipe
Corn chowder. Any way you make it, I’m a fan and I’ll be needing a great big bowl. I have an easy recipe for Tex Mex Corn Chowder that I like to make quite often for my fam.
I usually serve it with Mexican Cheese Bread or Cheddar Sausage Corn Bread.
What to love about this Ham and Corn Chowder Recipe
- Thick. Rich. Creamy. What more do we need, right??
- You can make this hearty soup (chowder) in less than an hour.
- There’s BACON involved…..
What ingredients are in Ham and Corn Chowder?
- Bacon
- Ham
- Oregano
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Red bell pepper
- Milk
- Alfredo pasta sauce
- Corn
- Creamed corn
- Diced green chilies
- Worcestershire
How to Make Ham and Corn Chowder in 5 Easy Steps –
- In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add the bacon and ham with the oregano, cooking until the bacon is beginning to get browned and crispy; remove the bacon and ham and reserve.
- Add the onions, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the drippings that remain in the Dutch oven, cooking them until softened, 8-10 minutes or so.
- Stir in the milk, Alfredo sauce, corn, creamed corn, green chilies, and Worcestershire sauce along with the reserved bacon and ham. Season chowder to taste, as desired.
- Simmer the chowder for 20-25 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve the chowder sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese.
Which tools are helpful for making Ham and Corn Chowder?
- I LOVE my Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven! Yep, it’s darn heavy, but it cooks sooo evenly and has superior browning capabilities.
- For making the task of chopping bacon super easy and fast, I use my kitchen shears. It’s easy to cut several pieces of bacon at once.
- I love using silicone spatula spoons for stirring ingredients. Once you get used to using this tool, you’ll have a really difficult time ever going back to using a mixing spoon or wooden spoon. My favorite brand is Le Cruset and they last forever. Plus, their colors are so dang pretty!
Are chowder and soup the same thing?
Soup is typically made with broth and can have meat or vegetables as ingredients. Chowder may have the same exact ingredients but is much more creamy and thick, more like a stew.
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Is a Dutch oven the same thing as a stock pot?
A Dutch oven is a heavy pot with a lid that was designed for browning meats, then braising them in the oven or simmering on the stove top. A standard size Dutch oven is a 6-quart Dutch oven, though they are made in other sizes, as well.
A stock pot is a tall pot designed for making stock that usually has a lid. Either one can be used to make soups and chowders.
More Favorite Recipes to Enjoy
- GRANDMA’S CREAMED CHICKEN AND BISCUITS
- TEX MEX CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
- COUNTRY FRIED STEAK FINGERS WITH CREAM GRAVY
- INSTANT POT BROCCOLI CHEESE NOODLE SOUP
- GRILLED REUBEN SANDWICHES WITH SECRET SAUCE
Ham and Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 8 oz. ham steak (or leftover cooked ham), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 cup diced onion, may substitute 2 tsp. of dehydrated onions
- 1/2 cup diced carrot
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds and membranes removed, diced (may substitute jarred roasted red peppers, if desired)
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 24 oz. jar Alfredo pasta sauce
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 16 oz. can creamed corn
- 4 oz. can diced green chilies
- 1-2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnishing
Instructions
- In a 6-quart Dutch oven, over medium heat, cook the bacon and ham with the oregano until the bacon is beginning to get nicely crispy; remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add the onions, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the drippings in the Dutch oven, cooking over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, approx. 8-10 minutes.
- Add the milk, Alfredo sauce, corn, creamed corn, green chilies, and Worcestershire sauce to the vegetables; stir in the reserved ham and bacon. Season the chowder to taste with salt and pepper, as desired.
- Over medium heat, bring the chowder to simmering; simmer gently, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
- Serve the soup sprinkled with a bit of shredded cheddar, as desired.
Well this made me hungry!!! Going to have to make this!!!
Hi Kellie – This is going to taste REALLY good once the cooler temperatures stay around. Let me know what you think of it!
Chef Alli