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Tonight’s dinner was perfect, so we couldn’t wait to share this recipe for Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder with Bacon!

a slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon and a silver ladle
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It had snowed and snowed one day and school ended up getting canceled. I was a teenager in high school and caught a ride home with someone. Actually, truth be told, it was a boy who I’d felt had been quite unkind to me for years. I’m always tempted to reach out sometimes and tell him that had mattered to me. Either way, I arrived home, snow billowing all around me as I tried to push my way into the front door and there it was, the smell of slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon!

What to Eat with Chowder

Actually, I believe it was just potato soup, but Mom won’t mind a lick that I added some extras. In fact, I think she will love this recipe. The only thing missing is absolutely the World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls.

In fact, maybe I’ll make another round of soup and cinnamon rolls because now I feel like I’ve missed out. I grew up ALWAYS having cinnamon rolls with our potato soup. What was I thinking not making them?

Alright, you don’t have to make cinnamon rolls, but if you’re still looking for what to eat with chowder, why don’t you try one of these ideas:

a slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon

Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder with Bacon

This slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon is actually a very simple, few ingredient recipe that can totally be made stove top or in a slow cooker or crockpot. It’s a creamy soup full of potatoes, chopped broccoli, corn and a generous sprinkling of shredded cheese and crispy bacon on top.

There’s just one request, while I know it’s easier to dump the ingredients in and go, starting a little roux on the stove top will thicken the soup while it cooks all day and who doesn’t want a thick and creamy potato soup?!

What is a Roux?

A roux is the easiest thing ever, a quick mixture of fat and flour. It generally starts with butter, melting down in a pot and then flour is quickly sprinkled in and whisked until the nuttiness comes out and that flour flavor disappears.

This mixture is then used to thicken soups and sauces. In this slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon recipe it allows the soup to thicken in the slow cooker as it simmers all day whereas a normal slow cooker soup doesn’t tend to cream up enough.

a white bowl full of slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon

Are Slow Cookers and Crock Pots the Same?

A true slow cooker consists of the same three components as a crockpot which would be: glass lid, pot for cooking the food, and heating element.

However, a crock pot usually has a ceramic or porcelain pot, while a slow cooker has a metal pot. It can be interchanged though so it doesn’t really matter.

CrockPots and slow cookers use moist heat to cook food over a long period of time. Both a crock pot and slow cooker are used to cook the same types of foods, and both produce the same delicious results so either way you’re good to go.

a white bowl full of slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon

Is Chowder Soup?

I’ve actually wondered this a few times. I know it’s soup, but soups are often broth based

Chowder is a type of soup or stew often prepared with milk or cream. Think about corn chowder, clam chowder, and so on.

It’s also true that chowder is also typically made with sea food, but other meats can also be used.

Chowder is usually chunky as well.

Is Broccoli Good For You?

Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K and C. Broccoli is also a good source of folate (folic acid) and also provides potassium, and fiber. We’ve seen many people writing off broccoli lately. They’ve been so caught up in kale, spinach, brussel sprouts etc, but don’t forget broccoli! It’s such a great vegetable!

a white bowl full of slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon

What Goes Well With Corn Chowder?

Good sides to eat with corn chowder include, green salad, corn bread, fresh bread or biscuits. I think that you’ve got some veggies in there, don’t stress so much about what to serve on the side. The main dish is fine to be served solo if you are ok with keeping things simple like I am.

Soup RECIPES

Looking for more soup recipes?

More CORN RECIPES You Are Sure to Love:

4.27 from 46 votes

Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder with Bacon

By Sweet Basil
Prep10 minutes
Cook4 hours
Total4 hours 10 minutes
Servings10
Tonight’s dinner was perfect, so we couldn’t wait to share this recipe for Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder with Bacon!
Want to save this recipe?
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 1/4 Cup Butter
  • 1/4 Yellow Onion, minced fine
  • 1/4 Cup Flour
  • 5 Pounds Russet Potatoes, peeled then cubed into small chunks, about 6-8 potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons Salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • 2 Small Crowns of Broccoli, chopped small
  • 3 Cups Frozen Corn
  • 32 Ounces Chicken Broth, 4 cups if you aren’t using a big carton
  • 3 Cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 1/2 Cups Milk
  • A pinch of Nutmeg
  • 6 Slices Bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Chives for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a pan over medium high heat, add the butter and as it’s melting, add the onions, turning the pot to medium heat, stirring often until tender.
    1/4 Cup Butter, 1/4 Yellow Onion
  • Add in the flour and whisk for one minute.
    1/4 Cup Flour
  • Scoop this mixture into a crock pot or slow cooker.
  • Place potatoes in the slow cooker and season with salt and black pepper as well as the honey.
    5 Pounds Russet Potatoes, 2 teaspoons Salt, 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper, 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • Add the broccoli and corn.
    2 Small Crowns of Broccoli, 3 Cups Frozen Corn
  • Pour in chicken broth and dairy.
    32 Ounces Chicken Broth, 3 Cups Heavy Cream, 1 1/2 Cups Milk
  • Stir in the nutmeg and cover with a lid.
    A pinch of Nutmeg
  • Cook on low heat for 6 hours OR on high heat 4 hours.
  • Occasionally open the lid and give everything a stir.
  • Serve warm with bacon and cheese, enjoy!
    6 Slices Bacon, 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Chives for garnish

Recipe Notes

This chowder can be placed in a container with a tight fitting lid, or in a freezer bag, and stored in the freezer for 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl, Calories: 651kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 25g, Cholesterol: 137mg, Sodium: 1035mg, Potassium: 1292mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1477IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 289mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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a slow cooker potato broccoli corn chowder with bacon and a silver ladle

About The Author

Carrian Cheney

Carrian Cheney is the creative force behind ‘Oh, Sweet Basil,’ a food blog she co-authors with her husband, Cade. She creates fresh, family-friendly recipes that encourage togetherness in the kitchen.

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4.27 from 46 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. Nicole Fyntrilakis says:

    5 stars
    Perfect but I added crushed red pepper. Will definitely make this again

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Sounds delicious! Thanks for feedback Nicole!

  2. Sarah Miller says:

    5 stars
    So good!
    I added about 4 cloves of garlic and sautéed the garlic and onions in the bacon fat. I used that to make the roux. I also used the bags of new or “baby” potatoes and diced those instead of russets. My family loved this soup!

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Thank you so much for the feedback Sarah! Sounds amazing!!

  3. Catherine Joan Carlson says:

    I haven’t made this recipe, but wanted to say that listing only 10 minutes prep for all the peeling and chopping that needs to be done is unrealistic.
    That being said, the soup looks delicious and I’ll be making it.
    Thank you!

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Thank you Catherine!

  4. janet says:

    Is that 1/4 of a yellow onion, or 1/4 cup of onion? Thank you!

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Janet! It is 1/4 of a yellow onion. Enjoy!!

  5. Mel says:

    3 stars
    Is something missing from the ingredient list? You say “stir in the seasonings” but based on the list, that would only be a pinch of nutmeg. This turned out unfortunately very bland, even with bacon in during the cooking. I’ve also had better luck stirring in dairy during the last 30 minutes for crockpot recipes. I used more milk than heavy cream which might have contributed, but it separated.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Mel! Yes, it will separate if you use more milk than heavy cream. That 7th step should just be to add the nutmeg, so I have fixed that since at that point you have already added the salt and pepper. You can always add more salt and pepper if it’s bland to you.

  6. Julie says:

    I would sdd the bacon to cook with the other ingredients to flavour it. Any reason not to do this?

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      You could definitely do that. We just prefer the bacon crispy on the top. If you cook it in with the soup the whole time, it will get soggy. But it will give it great flavor! Maybe do both…some with the soup and some on top.

  7. Maria says:

    Hi There!! This looks great but can I use all milk instead of heavy cream??? I’m afraid it might be too rich, plus I don’t have heavy cream on hand! 🙂

    Thanks!!

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Sure thing! It won’t be quite as thick and hearty, but the flavor will still be spot on!