I love corn soup recipes anytime of the year, but corn chowder holds a special place in my heart once the weather gets cold. You can make my Easy Instant Pot Corn Chowder in a jiffy. It’s healthy, filling, and comes together with just a little effort. Plus the cooking time is hands off, so you can enjoy a little down time before dinner!
What Do We Want? Soup. When Do We Want It? All Winter!
As you can see I have strong feelings about soup. It’s taken me a few years to get Cheryl to see soup as a whole meal, but I’ve finally won her over.
If you’re having trouble getting your family on board for soup dinners, my Instant Pot Corn Chowder is a great place to start. The potatoes make it filling, the carrots dot it with orange, and the corn – well, everyone loves vegan corn soup, right?
Serve with a nice green salad and some leftover homemade bread that you lightly toast. Those both turn a simple soup into a nice sit down dinner.
Can You Use Fresh Corn In Place of Frozen Corn in Corn Chowder?
You can indeed. In the early fall when you get fresh corn, just cut the kernels off the cob and substitute it for the frozen corn that’s called for in the recipe.
In fact you can freeze any leftover fresh corn you have to use in the middle of winter. But there’s no shame in using frozen corn either. I know I use it.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 cups water
- 1 boullion cube , salt free
- 3 cups chopped potato
- 1 pound corn kernals , about 3 cups fresh or frozen
- 1 cup finely chopped or cubed carrot
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke , or use smoked paprika
- 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk
- salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to saute. Dry or water saute the onions until translucent. Add garlic and saute for a minute or two more.
- Turn saute off.
- Add the water, bouillon, potato, corn, carrot, thyme, marjoram, and liquid smoke.
- Turn the Instant Pot to manual/pressure cook and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. This helps keep splattering to a minimum.
- Carefully release the pressure the rest of the way manually.
- Remove the lid and add in the nondairy milk.
- Either use an immersion blender to just thicken the soup - don't puree all the way or puree a cup or two of the soup in a blender.
- Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Can You Add Other Vegetables in Corn Chowder?
Of course you can – this is your soup after all! You could add in some chopped bell pepper or even some summer squash. This isn’t exactly a vegetable, but it would also be heartier with some shredded jackfruit added in.
Try making a Mexican-spiced version by using chili powder instead of the thyme and cumin in place of the marjoram. Add in some chopped green chilies or minced jalepenos. Top with cashew cream, a small spoon of salsa, and chopped cilantro.
Vegan Corn Chowder Topping Options
- grated vegan cheese – try Julie and Kitee’s homemade oil-free vegan cheese recipe
- chopped fresh thyme or basil
- a dollop of cashew cream
- minced green chilies or minced hot pepper
More Recipes to Try
- Vegan Instant Pot Jackfruit White Bean Chili
- Instant Pot Vegan Tomato Soup Made Creamy with a Surprise Ingredient!
- Instant Pot Refried Mayacoba Beans
- Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
Pin it the photo below for later and share with your friends!
I would love to try this, but I can\’t find any salt free bouillon in my area. Can you advise of a substitution?
I have a super-easy bouillon that you make right in your IP! https://plantbasedinstantpot.com/vegan-instant-pot-bouillon/
The perfect dinner on a cold night! Looks so comforting and delicious!
YES! I’m all about soups through the fall and winter – actually one of the few things I enjoy about the colder temps. This chowder looks hearty delish.