Quick & Easy Instant Pot Corn Chowder

5 from 11 votes
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This creamy Instant Pot Corn Chowder is made with bacon, potatoes, corn, cheese and more! It’s a quick, easy, and hearty dinner idea for the summer.

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ladling corn chowder soup out of the Instant Pot

An Easy Corn Chowder Recipe

Give your Instant Pot some love by making this comforting corn chowder! This easy dinner recipe is full of your favorite savory flavors; crispy bacon bits and juicy corn kernels give this creamy chowder some texture and keep it nice and filling.

Corn chowder is a tasty meal for any time of year, but I especially like it in the summer because the corn is at its best! You can use frozen or canned corn for this recipe, but fresh corn will really bring your soup to the next level.

Why Make Chowder in the Instant Pot?

Using an Instant Pot is a great way to make creamy corn chowder without all the work. The cook time is way shorter and the flavors are just as good. Plus, no one wants to hang around a hot stove on a warm summer day.

silver spoon inside corn chowder soup in a bowl topped with bacon, green onions, and parsley

Recipe Ingredients

  • Bacon: Dice up your bacon to desired size. Smaller bacon bits will get crispier.
  • Yellow Onion: Finely dice the onion.
  • Minced Garlic
  • Chicken Broth
  • Potatoes: I like making this chowder with red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
  • Corn Kernels: Drain your corn kernels before adding them to your soup.
  • Dried Thyme
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Bay Leaf: This will add a nice herbiness to your chowder.
  • Half and Half
  • Cornstarch
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Green Onions
  • Fresh Parsley: Make your dish pretty by garnishing it with sliced green onions and chopped parsley.
cooking corn chowder in the instant pot

How to Make Corn Chowder

  1. Cook Bacon Bits: Set your Instant Pot to SAUTÉ. Add diced bacon to the Instant Pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked to a crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove your bacon from the pot and set it aside for later.
  2. Sauté Onions & Garlic: Add diced onions to the bacon fat inside the Instant Pot and cook for 2 minutes. Then, stir in the garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
  3. Add Broth: Slowly add in the chicken broth and stir to get all the browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Add Corn & Potatoes: Add potatoes, corn, thyme, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the Instant Pot.
  5. Cover & Cook: Cover and lock the lid into place. Pressure cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.
  6. Release Steam: Do a quick release to let out the steam from your instant pot.
  7. Remove Cover: Remove the lid and discard your bay leaf.
  8. Set to Sauté: Change the setting of your Instant Pot back to Sauté.
  9. Combine Corn Starch & Half and Half: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half & cornstarch. Stir the half-and-half mixture into your soup.
  10. Cook: Continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until chowder has thickened.
  11. Add Cheese & Bacon: Stir in the shredded cheese and half of the bacon; heat through until the cheese is melted.
  12. Serve & Enjoy: Divide your chowder into soup bowls and garnish it with the remaining bacon, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, green onions and parsley.

Tips for the Best Corn Chowder Soup

  • Release Steam After Covering: Please don’t forget to do a quick release before you remove the lid from your Instant Pot. You need to relieve the pressure from inside the pot so it doesn’t explode when you take off the cover.
  • Use Fresh Corn: This chowder is best when it’s made with fresh, in-season corn. If corn is not in season, you can use frozen or canned corn instead. If you use canned corn, drain it very well. You don’t have to thaw frozen corn.
  • Season to Taste: You can adjust the amount of seasonings in this soup to suit your tastes. If your corn is on the sweeter side, add more salt to balance it out.

Mix In & Topping Ideas

  • Add More Cheese & Bacon on Top: I suggest saving some bacon bits for serving as well as sprinkling a little extra cheese on your chowder. The bacon will stay super crisp and your dish will look as good as it tastes!
  • Add More Meat: To make your soup even heartier, add in some shredded chicken or cubed ham.
  • Top with Crackers: Try topping this chowder with some oyster crackers! They’re nice while they’re crunchy and also after they’ve absorbed some of the soup.
  • Add More Veggies: Feel free to add your favorite veggies to your corn chowder. Add them to the Instant Pot along with the onions.

What to Serve with Corn Chowder

up close shot of a spoon inside creamy corn chowder with bacon

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

  • Store leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy your leftovers within 4-5 days.
  • To reheat your chowder, simmer it over medium-low heat or pop it in the microwave! I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
5 from 11 votes

Quick & Easy Instant Pot Corn Chowder

This creamy Instant Pot Corn Chowder is made with bacon, potatoes, corn, cheese and more! It's a quick, easy and healthy dinner idea for the summer.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 6 slices bacon,, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion,, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic,, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth,, (try to use lower sodium chicken broth whenever possible)
  • 3 cups (14 ounces) red potatoes,, (3 to 4 medium sized potatoes) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 3 cups corn kernels,, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • sliced green onions,, for garnish
  • chopped fresh parsley,, for garnish
  • crumbled bacon,, optional, for garnish
  • shredded cheese,, optional, for garnish
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Instructions 

  • Set Instant Pot to SAUTÉ.
  • Add diced bacon to the Instant Pot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until cooked to a crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from the pot and set aside for later.
  • Add diced onions to the bacon fat inside the Instant Pot and cook for 2 minutes; stir in garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
  • Slowly add in the chicken broth and stir to get all the browned bits from the bottom.
  • Add potatoes, corn, thyme, salt, pepper and bay leaf.
  • Cover and lock lid into place.
  • Pressure Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.
  • Do a quick release.
  • Remove cover and discard bay leaf.
  • Set Instant Pot back to SAUTÉ.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together half-and-half & cornstarch.
  • Stir half-and-half mixture into soup.
  • Continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
  • Stir in cheese and half of the bacon; heat through until cheese is melted.
  • Divide into soup bowls and garnish with remaining bacon, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, green onions and parsley.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 693mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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32 Comments

  1. Amanda says:

    5 stars
    This came out perfect right out of the instant pot!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I am glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Toni says:

    5 stars
    Such a comforting meal for weeknights!! This quickly became a favorite at my house!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s wonderful! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Beth says:

    5 stars
    Yum! This recipe is so delicious and tasty! My family and I love it! I will definitely be making this again!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s great to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Kevin says:

    5 stars
    What a great instant pot recipe! Cannot wait to try it!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Thank you so much, Kevin! I hope you enjoy it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Sara Welch says:

    5 stars
    What a great soup for busy weeknights! This looks worthy of a restaurant, indeed!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Thank you so much, Sara! I hope you enjoy it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Allyson Zea says:

    5 stars
    This chowder looks so comforting and delicious!!!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Tara says:

    5 stars
    This corn chowder was creamy and full of flavor! Such a cinch to make in the Instant Pot with your step by step instructions!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. Angel says:

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint! My husband went for seconds and I
      have enough left over for lunch tomorrow!

      In addition to your suggestions, I added Cajun seasoning, basil, sage & Mexican oregano to the chowder and included chopped cilantro in the garnish- it was incredible!

      Thank you for providing this delicious recipe. I canโ€™t wait to share it with my coworkers!

      1. Katerina Petrovska says:

        That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Bdewey says:

    This isnโ€™t a recipe. Lots of stories and ads. And a list of ingredients, but no quantities mentioned at all.

    1. Katerina says:

      You can just scroll down to the bottom of the post and get the recipe in its entirety. Or, at the very top of the post, click on “Jump to Recipe” and that will automatically scroll you down to the recipe card. Ingredients, measurements, instructions, etc… are all included.

  9. Stacy Davis says:

    What kind of corn would use use? Frozen of Can? Thank you!

    1. Katerina says:

      Hi!
      I almost always use canned corn, but frozen corn will work just as well.

  10. Stacy says:

    Thank you!