Easy Slow Cooker Amish Corn Chowder (So Hearty!)

Slow Cooker Amish Corn Chowder is the definition of humble, hearty, and delicious comfort food. Inspired by simple, wholesome Amish cooking, this chowder requires just a handful of basic ingredients and your trusty slow cooker to create something truly magical. Imagine tender potatoes and sweet corn in a creamy, savory broth, studded with bits of smoky ham.

It’s incredibly forgiving, wonderfully filling, and fills your home with an inviting aroma that promises a cozy meal ahead. If you need a no-fuss, family-friendly dinner that feels like a warm hug, this is the recipe for you.

WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE

The Ultimate Hands-Off, Comforting Meal

The beauty of this easy Amish corn chowder lies in its effortless preparation. You simply dump the ingredients into the pot, set it, and forget it. It’s the perfect solution for busy weekdays, chilly weekends, or anytime you want a home-cooked meal without being tied to the stove. Furthermore, the slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a depth of taste that belies its simple ingredient list.

Wholesome, Satisfying, and Budget-Friendly

This chowder is made from pantry and freezer staples, making it incredibly kind to your wallet. It’s a fantastic way to create a nourishing, satisfying meal from inexpensive ingredients. The combination of potatoes and corn provides comforting carbs, while the ham adds a savory, protein-packed punch. It’s a balanced, one-pot meal that everyone will love.

Print

HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER AMISH CORN CHOWDER

Ingredients: Simple, Wholesome Goodness

• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 medium russets)
• 1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn (or 2 cans, drained)
• 1 ½ cups cooked ham, diced
• ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup or 1 cup homemade white sauce
• 1 ½ cups whole milk or half-and-half
• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley, shredded cheddar, crispy bacon

Directions: Your Dump-and-Go Guide

Combine Base Ingredients: In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, add the diced potatoes, frozen corn, diced ham, and diced onion.

Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and the can of cream of chicken soup (don’t dilute it). Stir gently to combine. Add the slices of butter on top and sprinkle with dried thyme, salt, and pepper.

Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.

Creamify the Chowder: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the milk or half-and-half. This prevents the dairy from curdling during the long cook time.

Thicken (Optional): For a thicker chowder, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the slow cooker with a fork or mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold milk and stir it into the hot chowder. Let it cook for the final 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, shredded cheddar cheese, or extra crispy ham.

NUTRITION AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

A Comforting, Balanced Chowder

This chowder is a hearty meal. The potatoes provide energy and potassium, the corn offers fiber, and the ham adds protein. For a lighter version, you can use low-sodium broth, a reduced-fat cream soup, and swap the whole milk for 2% or almond milk.

Adapting to Dietary Needs

This slow cooker chowder is easily adaptable. For a gluten-free version, ensure your cream soup and broth are certified gluten-free (or use a homemade white sauce with GF flour). For a vegetarian corn chowder, omit the ham and use vegetable broth and cream of celery soup.

HOW TO SERVE AMISH CORN CHOWDER

The Perfect Cozy Meal

This chowder is a complete meal in a bowl! It’s so rich and satisfying that it needs little accompaniment. Just a side of crusty bread, buttery rolls, or simple crackers for dipping is perfect.

Elevating Your Bowl

Set up a small toppings bar to let everyone customize their bowl. Shredded sharp cheddar cheese, extra crispy bacon bits, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of green onions add wonderful flavor and texture contrasts.

HOW TO STORE SLOW COOKER CORN CHOWDER

Refrigerating Leftovers

Once cooled, store the chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop, making leftovers a true treat.

Freezing for Future Meals

You can freeze this chowder, but with a note. Cream-based soups can sometimes separate or become grainy when thawed. For best results, freeze before adding the milk. Thaw, reheat, and then stir in the fresh milk while warming. It will keep frozen for up to 3 months.

TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST SLOW COOKER AMISH CORN CHOWDER

Tips and Notes: Your Chowder Companion

• Dice Evenly: Cut your potatoes into similar-sized, small cubes (about ½-inch) so they cook evenly and become perfectly tender.
• Don’t Skip the Butter: The butter is a signature ingredient in Amish-style recipes and adds a rich, silky flavor to the broth.
• Add Dairy Last: To prevent curdling, always add the milk or cream during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking.

Variation

For a Cheesy Amish Corn Chowder, stir in 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese when you add the milk. For a Bacon Corn Chowder, substitute the ham with 1 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon, using the bacon fat to sauté the onions first for extra flavor.

Notes

If you don’t have cream of chicken soup, you can make a simple roux: melt 3 tbsp butter in a pan, whisk in 3 tbsp flour, cook 1 minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until thick. Add this to the slow cooker with the broth.

FAQs

Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen?

Absolutely! You’ll need the kernels from about 4-5 fresh ears of corn. Add them to the slow cooker as you would the frozen corn. Fresh corn will be slightly sweeter.

My chowder is too thin. How can I thicken it?

The easiest way is to use a potato masher to gently mash some of the cooked potatoes right in the pot. This releases their starch and thickens the soup naturally. For a quicker fix, use the cornstarch slurry method mentioned in the directions.

Can I make this on the stovetop?

Yes! In a large pot, sauté the onion in the butter until soft. Add the potatoes, corn, ham, broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender (20-25 min). Reduce heat to low, stir in the soup and milk, and warm through.

CONCLUSION

This Slow Cooker Amish Corn Chowder is a testament to the power of simple ingredients and patient cooking. It delivers incredible comfort and flavor with minimal effort, making it a recipe you’ll turn to again and again.

It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day, to feed a hungry family, or to simply enjoy the profound satisfaction of a meal made with care. So, take a few minutes to chop, let your slow cooker do the rest, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure, wholesome comfort.