Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

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Ham Potato and Corn Chowder - thick and creamy chowder with leftover ham, potatoes and corn. Lightened up with milk instead of cream and made in 20 minutes!

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)

My favorite dish for leftover ham that takes only 20 minutes to make and is one of our favorite comfort foods. This chowder is thick and creamy and absolutely delicious! After cooking the big holiday dinner, I want to put the leftovers to use and make something quick yet still satisfying.

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)

We often have soup for lunch, especially during the cold months. I also love to serve it for dinner by really loading it with veggies and serving my cheesy garlic bread on the side. Nothing beats a bowl full of hot, thick chowder with chunks of potatoes and ham. You can use fresh, diced veggies or a frozen mix. No leftover ham? No problem! Use leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey. Or skip the meat all together for a veggie only soup!

Many recipes use flour added to sauteed veggies to create a thickener for the soup. Quite often you can end up with lumps of flour in the soup. Over the years, I learned to use cornstarch (it's much easier to use and creates smooth thick soups and sauces) mixed with the last liquid added to the dish. It is a fool-proof method that I have been using for pasta sauces, gravies and thick soups.

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

Instead of making yet another ham and cheese sandwich, make this hearty, loaded soup with the leftover chunks of ham. It will quickly become a family favorite!

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (4)

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe

Author: Anna

Comfort food in a bowl! This chowder is loaded with potatoes and corn. Easy soup for a busy weeknight!

5 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 potatoes (russet, yellow or golden - I used golden), peeled and diced
  • 1 cups whole kernel corn
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1.5 cups leftover ham diced
  • 2 cups milk (whole, skim or 2% - I used 2%)
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large stockpot, heat up olive oil and butter on medium heat.

  • Add onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes.

  • Add carrots and potatoes. Stir together.Add stock and ham. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat.

  • In a large measuring cup or medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk and cornstarch.

  • Add to veggies and stir in well.Add seasoning, stir together.

  • Cook until potatoes are cooked and chowder thickens, about 10 more minutes.

  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 1012mg | Potassium: 755mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4520IU | Vitamin C: 13.4mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 3.6mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

  1. Chelsea says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (9)
    In step five did you mean wisk together milk and CORNSTARCH? Not flour? In your ingredients list you never mention flour and specifically said how you don't use it? And then it doesn't say anything about what to do with the cornstarch ? Looks so yummy, can't wait to try it!

    Reply

    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      Hi Chelsea! You can use cornstarch or flour but I recommend cornstarch for the reasons mentioned in my post. I updated the recipe. I am excited for you to try it! Let me know how you like it. Thank you! -Anna

      Reply

      • Larry says

        You will not get lumps using flour if you start with a roux.

  2. Chandra says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (10)
    I love using a good ham hock after Christmas for a big batch of soup! I love the Chowder you made and just might have to switch up my recipe for this one!

    Reply

  3. eat good 4 life says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (11)
    I haven't made corn chowder in for ever. Yours looks divine!

    Reply

  4. Michelle says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (12)
    This looks like pure comfort food! I'd love to curl up with a bowl of this!

    Reply

  5. TidyMom says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (13)
    you gotta love a recipe that comes together in 20 minutes, uses leftovers AND warms the soul!! looks fabulous!

    Reply

  6. Sheena says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (14)
    What a creamy looking chowder, and a great way to use up all my leftover ham!

    Reply

  7. Kacey says

    Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (15)
    My favourite meals include leftovers! Leftovers tend to get a bit monotonous so recreating them into a new dish allows for more food (and more creativity!) This chowder sounds divine!

    Reply

  8. Karen says

    Just looking for the corn in the ingredients list? I will just add what I have leftover!!

    Reply

    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      Hi Karen! Thanks for catching that! I updated the ingredients. Let me know how you like the chowder. Thank you!

      Reply

      • Karen says

        Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (16)
        Made this chowder last night and my family LOVED it! Thanks for sharing an easy, delicious recipe!!

      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        You are so welcome, Karen! Thank you for coming back and letting me know you guys loved it! Yay!

Ham Potato and Corn Chowder Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken corn chowder? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

What are the best potatoes for chowder? ›

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

How do you thicken seafood chowder? ›

How do you thicken seafood chowder? If you want a thicker base than whipping cream alone offers, add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour or cornstarch when you add the seafood to the pot.

Is it better to thicken chowder with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Will heavy cream thicken corn chowder? ›

However, chowder can also get a bad reputation due to the large amounts of butter, bacon, and heavy cream that are often used to thicken it and add flavor. As a result, it can be a super-rich dish.

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Types. Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

What flour is best for chowder? ›

Flour: Thicken the chowder up with all-purpose flour. Seasonings: Season the fish chowder with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk makes the chowder even thicker and richer.

What is usually a main thickening agent of chowder? ›

Roux (pronounced roo) is a mixture of equal weights (parts) of flour and fat (usually clarified butter; chicken fat, bacon fat, and margarine are also used) cooked over medium heat and stirred constantly. Roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups.

How do you make chowder less watery? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is my chowder not thick? ›

Cook It Longer

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

What can I use to thicken chowder? ›

You can either make up a slurry of cornstarch or flour. Mix in a separate dish and then mix into the soup. Bring to boil to see how thick it gets. You can also add some potato.

What can I add to potato soup to add flavor? ›

Add milk, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, allspice, celery seed, thyme, seasoning salt, dry white wine, cayenne pepper and chicken granules. Allow to simmer and thicken, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are cooked through, approximately 25 minutes.

Should I cook potatoes before adding to soup? ›

Add Potatoes to Your Soup Base

Now that your potatoes are perfectly boiled, it's time to add them to your soup base. Whether you have a creamy or chunky potato soup recipe, gently stir the boiled potatoes into your prepared soup mixture and simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Is it OK to use potato water for soup? ›

You can thicken a broth, soup, or stew by using potato water rather than plain water, again avoiding using flour if you are eliminating gluten. Some people even like to turn potato water into a broth by adding celery salt, black pepper, and a little bouillon. Don't toss the potato water–look for ways to put it to use.

How do you fix watery corn chowder? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

Why isn't my corn chowder thick? ›

Whisk 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with ¼ cup of milk and stir this into the soup before adding the heavy cream. This should help the soup thicken a bit more.

What makes chowder thick? ›

The vegetables or seafood, the focal ingredient of the soup. Ancillary ingredients which may include cream, diced onions, bacon, or herbs. The cooking liquid—usually broth or stock. A thickening agent—usually cornstarch, flour, or potatoes.

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