Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3–4 ears)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Fats
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or thyme, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Cut fresh corn kernels off the cob, and chop sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces. These fresh and dried veggies create the flavor foundation.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant—about 3 to 5 minutes. This step unlocks the sweetness and depth you’ll taste throughout the chowder.
- Build Flavor with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pot. Stir for a couple of minutes to release their concentrated flavor and slightly soften them.
- Add Corn and Broth: Mix in the fresh corn kernels, then pour in your vegetable or chicken broth. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- Blend Half the Soup: Carefully ladle half of the soup into a blender and pulse until smooth. This step gives the chowder its creamy texture without adding cream just yet, keeping it perfectly balanced.
- Combine and Add Cream: Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in your heavy cream or coconut milk. Warm through on low heat, ensuring it doesn’t boil to prevent curdling.
- Season and Add Herbs: Finish with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like basil or thyme. Give a final stir and taste for seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh corn whenever possible for the best sweetness and texture.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are very dry, soak them briefly in warm water to soften.
- Blending part of the chowder adds creaminess without extra heavy cream, keeping it light yet rich.
- Simmer gently after adding cream to maintain a smooth, velvety texture without curdling.
- Season the chowder in stages to develop maximum flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: sun-dried tomato, corn chowder, creamy soup, summer soup, vegetarian, gluten free, easy recipe