Description
Mexican corn chowder brings comfort and zest to your dinner table with its rich, velvety base and bold southwestern flavors. Hearty kernels of sweet corn swim alongside tender vegetables, creating a soul-warming bowl that celebrates authentic Mexican culinary traditions you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 10-ounce (280 grams) bags of frozen corn, cooked
- 2 cups half & half
- 14.5 ounces (411 grams) can of chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
- 1–2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Seasonings and Oils:
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and heat vegetable oil over medium temperature, introducing frozen corn, diced onion, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to transform, stirring periodically until corn develops rich golden-brown edges and subtle charred characteristics.
- Extract one cup of the roasted corn mixture, reserving it for final presentation garnish.
- Incorporate grated garlic into the pot, stirring briefly to release aromatic compounds. Pour chicken broth, carefully lifting any caramelized fragments from the pot’s base to enhance depth of flavor.
- Allow the liquid mixture to gently simmer, developing complex flavor profiles.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a blender, ensuring steam can escape through the center cap. Puree until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Return the blended base to the pot, maintaining low heat.
- Introduce Cotija cheese, pepper jack cheese, diced red pepper, half & half, reserved corn kernels, cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, and chili powder. Taste and calibrate seasoning, potentially intensifying heat with additional chili powder.
- Permit the chowder to simmer, allowing ingredients to harmonize and meld flavors.
- Ladle the creamy chowder into serving vessels, embellishing with extra crumbled Cotija, fresh cilantro, reserved charred corn, a delicate chili powder dusting, and a refreshing lime juice accent.
Notes
- Charred corn adds a smoky depth, intensifying the overall flavor profile of this creamy Mexican-inspired soup.
- Blending a portion of the corn mixture creates a velvety texture while keeping some whole kernels for delightful bite and visual appeal.
- Select high-quality Cotija and pepper jack cheeses to elevate the chowder’s richness and authentic Mexican essence.
- Reserve some charred corn before blending to use as a vibrant, flavorful garnish that adds textural contrast.
- Adjust chili powder to control the heat level, allowing customization for different spice tolerances.
- Fresh lime juice at the end brightens the entire dish, cutting through the creamy base and adding a zesty finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 709 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 63 mg