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    Home » Soups

    Easy Ham and Corn Chowder

    Published: Mar 15, 2020 / Updated: Mar 12, 2020 / 74 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This ham and corn chowder recipe is loaded with potatoes, bacon, and plenty of corn! It's creamy, comforting, and easy to make. 

    creamy ham and corn chowder in a bowl

    This ham potato and corn chowder recipe is based on my popular chicken and corn chowder. The ingredients and cooking process are fairly similar, so if you like that recipe (and if you like ham), you may want to give this one a try too!

    This corn chowder with ham is made from everyday ingredients. Bacon, onion, celery, and garlic infuse a ton of flavor. The flour and potatoes thicken the soup and make it hearty. Italian seasoning and a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional - it doesn't make it spicy but it adds a little something-something) punch up the taste even more. And cream gives it that signature silkiness. 

    This is one of those recipes that's great for leftover ham from Easter or Christmas, but you can also just buy a piece of ham and cut it up like I did. You can find smaller pieces of ham (like around 1-2 pounds) in most major grocery stores.

    Ham and potato corn chowder in a yellow soup pot

    Recipe notes & tips:

    • As ham and bacon can be quite salty, you may want to use low-sodium chicken broth if you have any concerns with salt content.
    • I haven't tried making this recipe with anything besides cream, so with any recipe, substitutions are at your own risk. Someone made my other (similar) chowder recipe with half-and-half instead of cream, and the heat curdled it, so just be mindful if you're doing a substitution.
    • The soup gets thicker the longer you leave it. You can add more chicken broth to leftovers to thin it out if needed.
    • I used frozen corn. You could definitely use fresh or canned corn if you wish.
    • I like the starchiness of Russet potatoes, but you can use a different variety if you like.

    ham and corn chowder in two bowls

    I hope you'll love this satisfying soup recipe! It really warms you up and sticks to your ribs. 🙂

    More tasty recipes with ham:

    • Ham and Potato Soup (Dairy-Free)
    • Ham and White Bean Soup
    • One Pot Ham and Pea Pasta
    • Instant Pot Split Pea Soup (with ham OR vegetarian)

    close-up of ham and corn chowder

    Questions about this corn chowder recipe with ham and potatoes? Made it? Leave me a comment below!

    Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you've made any of my recipes so I can see your creations.

    creamy ham and corn chowder in a bowl

    Ham and Corn Chowder

    This ham and corn chowder recipe is loaded with potatoes, bacon, and plenty of corn! It's creamy, comforting, and easy to make. 
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 459 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 strips bacon cut into small pieces
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 2 sticks celery chopped
    • 1/4 cup flour
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 2 cups frozen corn
    • 1 pound smoked ham chopped
    • 2 large Russet potatoes peeled & diced
    • 1 dash Italian seasoning
    • 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Prep your bacon (I use kitchen shears to make cutting it up easy) and add it to a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook until crispy (about 10 minutes).
    • Meanwhile, prep your onion, celery, ham, and potatoes. 
    • Once the bacon is crispy, take it out of the pot and remove to a paper towel lined plate. Leave the bacon fat in the pot. 
    • Add the onion and celery to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring nearly constantly.
    • Add in the garlic, followed by the chicken broth. Give it a good stir to ensure the flour has dissolved and the flavorful brown bits are scraped up from the bottom of the pot. 
    • Add in the cream, corn, ham, potatoes, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, and most of the bacon (I save the rest for garnishing the bowls later on). Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to a rapid simmer so it's gently boiling. 
    • Cook until the potatoes are tender (about 15-20 minutes). Stir every so often. The soup will get thicker the longer you cook it.
    • Season the soup with salt & pepper if needed. Garnish with the rest of the bacon.

    Notes

    • Serves 4-6 depending on portion size.
    • If you're sensitive to salt, use low-sodium chicken broth. Ham can be quite salty.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information

    Nutrition

    Calories: 459kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1624mgPotassium: 1109mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 643IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword corn chowder with ham, ham and corn chowder, ham and potato corn chowder
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Easy Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
    Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup »

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    1. Matt says

      March 9, 2023 at 5:57 AM

      I would like to make this soup for a large group. Do the ratios of the ingredients stay the same if making triple what your recipe calls for?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 9, 2023 at 10:05 AM

        You bet!

        Reply
    2. Heather Roberts says

      February 18, 2023 at 9:16 AM

      5 stars
      My family loved this recipe- I would advise to prep veggies before cooking bacon- It needed quite a bit of stirring/attention. I subbed 1/2 and 1/2 which worked just fine.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 18, 2023 at 2:06 PM

        Glad you enjoyed it, Heather! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Mar says

      February 6, 2023 at 8:34 AM

      Can I use canned evaporated milk instead of heavy cream?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 6, 2023 at 7:23 PM

        You could try, but I've only tested it with cream. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
      • Dj says

        February 11, 2023 at 8:10 AM

        I always do if I don't have any heavy cream on hand. Turns out the same as if you'd used the heavy cream.

        Reply
    4. Kathi says

      December 23, 2022 at 4:04 PM

      Made this today with the addition of fresh mushrooms. Was very good. Served it with homemade buns.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 23, 2022 at 5:11 PM

        Excellent! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Vicki says

      December 9, 2022 at 5:55 PM

      5 stars
      Made this to serve families staying at the Ronald McDonald House tonight. It smelled so welcoming and delicious! A nice comforting meal with salad, rolls, and fruit parfaits. I will definitely make this again. Thank you for a terrific recipe!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        December 9, 2022 at 6:52 PM

        We are so thrilled it was a hit, and that's such a wonderful gesture on your part, Vicki! Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Steve says

      December 8, 2022 at 9:03 PM

      5 stars
      This was really good. I had some spare shredded carrot from the last soup that I made, so I added this with the onion and celery. For the corn, I used a can of creamed corn and a half-cup of frozen corn to make 2 cups. Used white potatoes, diced small, so they would hold together a little better. Added two pinches of paprika with the cayenne. And, when it got down to 5 minutes left, I added a cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

      Paired it with some buttered sourdough. Fantastic!

      Reply
    7. Nicole says

      November 28, 2022 at 6:16 PM

      5 stars
      So good!! Great way to use up ham from Thanksgiving! We decided to omit the Italian seasoning and added a 4 oz can of diced green chiles to add some heat to it. Turned out so yummy!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 28, 2022 at 7:38 PM

        So glad it was a hit, Nicole!!

        Reply
    8. Debbie says

      November 27, 2022 at 3:28 PM

      I made the ham corn chowder tonight. I cut the amount of ham down ,1 pound just seemed like a lot.
      It turned out delicious .
      Thanks for posting this recipe

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 27, 2022 at 8:08 PM

        Glad you liked it, Debbie!

        Reply
    9. Jane Harding says

      November 19, 2022 at 10:17 AM

      The ingredient quantities for four and eight portions are harder to understand than those quoted for six portions. Can you explain how to convert? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 19, 2022 at 10:43 AM

        Hi Jane! I am not quite sure I understand what you're asking. Are you moving the slider in the recipe card to change the number of servings? That's simply a computer calculation that's done automatically, and yes, it'll look weird if you change a recipe that's meant for 6 (the way it's written) to serve 4. Really the main purpose of that slider is to double, triple, or halve the recipe without having to do the math yourself.

        Reply
    10. Amy Pletcher says

      November 16, 2022 at 5:13 PM

      5 stars
      I just made your ham and corn chowder!!!!! OMGoodness!!!!!!!! It is FANTASTIC!!! I I used fresh corn that I prepped to freeze myself. Followed the recipe to a "T". Even my daughter said smells like you are making potato soup. I did not tell until she put it in her bowl. After I did she put her nose up and said eww gross. But then she tried it and changed her attitude! Lol she actually said it was good!! Anyway, it is cold and snowy here and this was perfect!! We pared it with some sourdough bread we got from Aldi. Have a wonderful night!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 16, 2022 at 7:09 PM

        That's awesome!! I'm so happy you and your daughter both liked it. 😀 Thanks for your review, Amy!

        Reply
    11. Lisa says

      November 12, 2022 at 6:07 PM

      5 stars
      This potato soup is so good. It’s the new way of making potato soup. Will be making it again and again. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        November 12, 2022 at 6:26 PM

        You're very welcome, Lisa! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Robyn says

      October 30, 2022 at 8:35 PM

      5 stars
      Corn chowder has been a childhood favorite and my Mom made it often. This was close to giet recipe and we LOVED it. We made a few modifications (we love spicy), but the basic recipe is perfection.
      Thank you for sharing this. It will become a mainstay in our autumn meal rotation. It's chilly here in Oregon and this really hit the spot.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2022 at 8:44 PM

        That makes me so happy, Robyn! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Emily says

      October 26, 2022 at 7:37 AM

      Can I use canned corn? I completely forgot to buy frozen corn.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 26, 2022 at 9:58 AM

        You can. It may be a little softer overall but will work in a pinch.

        Reply
    14. Joyce says

      September 27, 2022 at 12:20 PM

      There may not be any leftovers but there’s just 2 of us. Can extra be frozen? Thanks

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 27, 2022 at 11:14 PM

        Sure... there's a chance the texture could change a little bit, but I've frozen similar recipes and it's been fine. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Cheryl says

      June 25, 2022 at 12:04 PM

      5 stars
      It’s was delicious,
      Easy to make and great flavor although I did add old bay seasoning to it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 25, 2022 at 7:04 PM

        Excellent!

        Reply
    16. Christine Elliott says

      May 2, 2022 at 1:44 PM

      5 stars
      This is one staying in the rotation! So yummy and filling!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 2, 2022 at 2:03 PM

        Fantastic!! 🙂

        Reply
    17. A Bean says

      April 17, 2022 at 9:24 AM

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Tastes yummy..the dash of Italian is lovely.. I did add 2 oz of sharp cheddar cheese..just for another layer of flavor, and adds a creamy touch

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 17, 2022 at 12:13 PM

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

        Reply
    18. Sandy Johnson says

      April 3, 2022 at 5:17 PM

      5 stars
      This was delicious. Surprised it did not call for cheese, but creamy and thick without it. Will give the chicken corn chowder a try.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 3, 2022 at 8:14 PM

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sandy! 🙂 Hope you like the chicken version too!

        Reply
    19. Ashley K says

      March 27, 2022 at 4:54 PM

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious!! Maryland decided to go from springtime back to winter and this made the perfect meal! I substituted 2 cans of corn for frozen and everything was just perfect!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 27, 2022 at 5:56 PM

        I'm so happy it was a hit!! 🙂 Spring is also playing hide and seek here in Alberta, Canada too!

        Reply
    20. Katy says

      January 15, 2022 at 2:40 PM

      Hello - I love a thick chowder, but there’s a dairy allergy in the family so I can’t use heavy cream. I use regular lactose free milk. I try to add an extra tablespoon of flour to the beginning. But I’m not sure that’s the right answer. What, in your opinion, is the best substitute?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 15, 2022 at 4:19 PM

        Hi! I think that should work or even perhaps adding a cornstarch slurry at the end?

        Reply
    21. Alice says

      January 7, 2022 at 2:35 PM

      5 stars
      I'm making this right now. I added a touch of nutmeg. I live in Hawaii and the nights have been cool so this will be warming. I just tasted it and it is FABULOUS. Mahalo nui loa, thank you very much, for this great recipe! I will be making this often!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 7, 2022 at 2:55 PM

        You're very welcome, Alice! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    22. Pargetter says

      December 26, 2021 at 3:31 PM

      5 stars
      Great recipe to use leftover Christmas ham. Followed recipe except for 1lb frozen corn. Tasted great with just a touch of hot sauce.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 26, 2021 at 3:36 PM

        Wonderful!! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it! Happy holidays and thanks for your review!

        Reply
    23. Natalia says

      December 16, 2021 at 10:31 PM

      5 stars
      I am a rice girl at heart but dang this soup was SO GOOD potatoes and all! Added some carrots and wow! Thank you for this recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 17, 2021 at 9:55 AM

        Yay!! You're very welcome! 🙂

        Reply
    24. Keri says

      November 29, 2021 at 9:58 PM

      5 stars
      This was delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 30, 2021 at 9:55 AM

        Fantastic!! 🙂

        Reply
    25. Maria says

      April 11, 2021 at 9:25 AM

      5 stars
      This was a hit with folks who normally don't care for soup or chowder aka my husband. He was like "Wow, this is really good!" Loving your blog...it's awesome!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 11, 2021 at 10:10 AM

        That's awesome!! Thank you so much, Maria.

        Reply
    26. Yogi Hollow Fatm says

      February 7, 2021 at 12:10 PM

      5 stars
      This was AMAZING! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 7, 2021 at 12:13 PM

        You're welcome!! 🙂

        Reply
    27. Jeri Livingston says

      February 2, 2021 at 9:38 PM

      5 stars
      I made this tonight for dinner, it was super easy to make, I was surprised of how thick it turned out, expected to add cheese to make it thicker but it wasn’t needed, I served it with French bread, hubby enjoyed it so much he went back for seconds, thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 3, 2021 at 9:31 AM

        I'm so happy to hear that, Jeri!! 🙂

        Reply
    28. Stephanie says

      January 31, 2021 at 5:04 PM

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner today. Very tasty and my family, esp. my husband really liked it. They’re anxious to eat the leftovers for lunch tomorrow (they expect it to be “even better the next day” 😉). Thanks for sharing it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM

        That's awesome. You're very welcome!!

        Reply
    29. Amy says

      December 29, 2020 at 3:01 PM

      5 stars
      Made this for Christmas Eve dinner. Both my husband and son were skeptical at first, mostly because they didn’t think soup was an ‘appropriate’ meal for Christmas Eve (men, lol), but they were both blown away!! They loved it! As did I! It is creamy and delicious. I made the recipe exactly as written and wouldn’t change a thing. Added a few French fried onions on top, served with an arugula pear salad and some yeast rolls.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 29, 2020 at 3:15 PM

        I'm so happy it was a hit for Christmas Eve!! Haha. Thank you for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply
    30. Cindy says

      December 28, 2020 at 9:21 AM

      I'm making this tonight. Can you use canned potatoes?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 28, 2020 at 12:22 PM

        Hi Cindy! I have never tried canned potatoes, so I can't really say for sure. If you've made soup with them before, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Let me know!

        Reply
    31. Hannah says

      December 26, 2020 at 9:41 PM

      Hi there! Just wondering if this recipe would freeze? I live in NZ, and it’s summer... so not quite soup weather, but I have a lot of left over ham from Xmas!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 26, 2020 at 9:49 PM

        Hi! I haven't tested it, but I think you should probably be fine. It may end up a little bit separated since it's creamy, but I think it'll still taste good. 🙂

        Reply
    32. Janelle Tessier says

      October 26, 2020 at 5:44 PM

      5 stars
      Made this tonight and it really is good! Nice and hearty for a cold October evening. I will add more corn next time but that's just my thought. I did add the cayenne pepper too.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 26, 2020 at 7:18 PM

        I'm so pleased you liked it!

        Reply
    33. Jenna says

      September 28, 2020 at 7:12 PM

      5 stars
      I just made your corn chowder tonight and it was a hit! Next time I’ll add more potatoes but that’s just personal preference. Can’t wait to try your other recipes, thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 28, 2020 at 8:03 PM

        You're welcome! So glad you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    34. Gina says

      September 11, 2020 at 10:44 AM

      5 stars
      I loved this!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 11, 2020 at 3:06 PM

        So pleased to hear it, Gina! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply
    35. Wendy Noyes says

      July 20, 2020 at 8:52 PM

      I used your ham corn chowder recipe tonight. My husband of 36 yrs and best friend, said that was some of the best soup I’ve made in a real long time. I used the ends of the ham from the deli case. I plan to become a frequent flyer of your website. Thank you and God bless you 🙃

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 21, 2020 at 8:41 AM

        That's awesome!! I'm so happy it was a hit, Wendy! 🙂 So glad you found my site!

        Reply
        • Monica says

          January 25, 2022 at 10:21 AM

          5 stars
          Made this today and I'm enjoying a bowl as I type this! Really good soup, flavorful and easy. A total hit. I will keep this on regular rotation!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            January 25, 2022 at 10:33 AM

            Wonderful! 🙂 Thanks for your review, Monica!

            Reply
    36. clare says

      July 15, 2020 at 8:03 AM

      I just found your blog and I am sooooooo LOVING IT !!!! I will certainly subscribe !! GOD BLESS!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 15, 2020 at 9:19 AM

        Wonderful! Let me know if you make anything! 🙂

        Reply

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