Instant Pot Corn Chowder with Bacon Recipe - delicious soup made in a pressure cooker. This rich and creamy chowder is packed with fresh corn, potatoes and crispy bacon.
If you enjoy hearty soups, you need to try my Potato Ham Chowder too. My Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is another great way to enjoy corn!
INSTANT POT CORN CHOWDER WITH BACON
One of our favorite summer soups to make is corn chowder. It's creamy, satisfying and full of flavor. Especially since I make it in my pressure cooker. If you have an Instant Pot and never tried to cook soup in it, you have to do it! You will love it! The flavors are as intense as if the soup was simmering on the stove for hours, when in fact it takes under 30 minutes to have it done from the time you cut the corn off the cob. Besides, there is bacon involved and that is always a good thing. I love the meaty flavor it adds to this chowder.
Cooking the bacon in the pot first creates a base for this delicious soup. I also add the fresh corn to veggies to saute before closing the lid to let it caramelize just a bit. All of these flavors make this Instant Pot Corn Chowder one of the best I have ever had!
How to make Instant Pot Corn Chowder?
- Start by heating up the Instant Pot on the saute setting. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and place on a plate.
- Saute garlic and onion in bacon grease. Add corn kernels and saute for a few minutes. Press "cancel/off" button to turn off the saute setting.
- Add remaining ingredients, along with half of the bacon. Close the lid, press "manual" or "pressure cook" setting and set the timer to 10 minutes. Once done, let the Instant Pot release pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Add cornstarch whisked with half and half and stir into the soup. Let it sit for 10 minutes. If the chowder is not as thick as you like, remove 2 cups and blend the rest with an immersion blender.
Fresh corn vs. frozen corn
I buy fresh corn on the cob at ALDI's. The package comes with 4 cobs and I used all of them in this recipe. The amount of time the chowder cooks in the pressure cooker, allows the corn to cook but not get mushy and completely broken down. It has it's texture and you can still enjoy the fresh corn flavor. You can also use canned (drained and rinsed) or frozen corn without adjusting the time. It is just needed for the potatoes to cook.
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How to thicken up Instant Pot Corn Chowder?
If you like smoother texture chowder, feel free to spoon two cups into a bowl and blend the rest in the pot with an immersion blender. Add reserved chowder back in and enjoy.
Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance!
More easy Instant Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Instant Pot Soup Recipes Roundup (all in one place)
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Instant Pot Corn Chowder with Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn on the cob
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 red potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or water
- 1.5 cups half and half
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Turn pressure cooker on. Press SAUTE button. Wait 2 minutes for the pot to heat up. Add chopped bacon. Cook until almost all of is crispy. Remove onto a plate.
- Add garlic and onion to pot with bacon grease. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often.
- Cut corn kernels off the cobs. Add to pot with onion. Saute for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Press OFF button on Instant Pot.
- Add potatoes, water, stock and half of cooked bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Close lid, set to sealing position. Press MANUAL button and set timer to 10 minutes. The pressure cooker will start cooking. It will take it a few minutes to come to pressure.
- When the Instant Pot is done it will beep. Click OFF button. Let pressure cooker naturally release the pressure for about 5 minutes. In the meantime, whisk together half and half and cornstarch. Quick release pressure. Add half and half to pot and stir. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Serve chowder garnished with reserved bacon and chopped parsley.
Jola says
My favourite autumn soups
Lynn says
I increased the amount to six servings. Used 3- 8 oz packages of frozen corn and two cans of creamed corn. No cornstarch and didn’t have to thicken. Also put in 2 tablespoons of turmeric. Used Yukon gold potatoes instead of red. It was amazing!!
Kim D says
Great recipe, thanks for sharing! If it helps anyone, I made these mods:
I used 6 corn cobs and 4 big red potatoes (had to use it all).
After removing the corn, I broke the cobs in two and boiled them in 6 cups of water (boil then good simmer). I was left with 4 cups of liquid, which I used instead of straight water and broth.
I did not add any dairy, and because of the "corn water" the chowder was just the right thickness. No need for cornstarch. The potatoes were tender enough that the smaller pieces gently broke apart for added thickness.
Liz says
I made this for supper and found it a bit too watery. Next time I will try to eliminate the water and use 2 cups of broth only. I think that might be enough with the added half and half. I am not a big salter but we needed to add salt to our bowls.
Courtney A says
Absolutely amazing!! I added extra bacon & instead of fresh corn used two cans of peaches and cream and one of creamed corn. Will be making in the future for friends and family!!
Arina says
So excited to try this today! Will this freeze well?
Courtney says
Yes, mine freeze really well!