Zucchini Corn Chowder recipe that’s perfect for summer dinners when the garden is plentiful. Great way to use fresh summer vegetables in an easy summer chowder recipe.
I found a recipe for zucchini chowder, altered it a bit and this is the result! It’s easy to make and I love that it has spring/summer flavors. It’s perfect for a day with a nice Spring thunderstorm- which we seem to be getting a ton of lately here in Utah! Serve it with some crusty bread for a complete meal.
What is Corn Zucchini Chowder?
It’s a delicious veggie packed soup that’s perfect for using up seasonal produce. Just like other chowders, this soup has a milk base and added flour to get that thick chowder texture you’d expect. This simple and easy soup comes together in about 30 minutes and is one of my favorite recipes for fresh sweet corn.
Corn Chowder Ingredients
-Zucchini: You’re going to need about 2 medium zucchini, diced or quartered depending on how big they are.
-Yellow Onion: A medium onion will add a nice aroma and comforting flavor to the corn soup.
-Chicken broth: We’re going to need about 3 1/2 cups (roughly 2 14oz cans) of chicken broth, but feel free to sub it out for vegetable broth, or even water with bullion.
-Butter: To get our soup off to a great start we need 1/3 cup of butter, but it will be divided.
-Flour: This is the soup thickener, you can use all purpose flour, but you’ll need 1/3 cup of it.
-Seasonings: Adding a lot of flavor to the soup we have 1/2 teaspoon of dried sage and garlic powder with 1 tsp of dried parsley. You can use fresh herbs if you have them!
-Lemon Juice: Just a teaspoon of lemon juice helps to add a burst of freshness to the soup without being overpowering.
-Diced Tomatoes: 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes is perfect for adding a soft texture and a burst of red color. Just make sure to lightly drain the can.
-Corn: A can of lightly drained corn will add a little fiber, color, and subtle crunch to the chowder. You can use ears of fresh summer corn. Just stand the cob upright and cut corn kernels off with a sharp knife.
-Evaporated milk: To get the white creamy color of chowder and some added protein, we’re using a 12 ounce can of evaporated milk or whole milk. You can use dairy-free milk as well; I like using cashew milk or coconut milk.
-Cheeses: 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan will add a cheesy texture and flavor that is incredible.
-Salt and Pepper: Added to taste, adjust as necessary!
How to Make Zucchini Corn Chowder
Put 1 tablespoon of butter into a frying pan over medium heat.
Add in the diced onion and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add in chopped zucchini and a few dashes of salt and pepper.
Saute the vegetables for about 5 minutes and then turn off the heat.
While the zucchini is sauteing, make a roux in a big pot over medium-high heat for the base of your chowder. It helps to have the cans of chicken broth open and ready to go at your side.
Melt your butter in the pot. Add in the sage, garlic powder, and parsley. When the butter begins to sizzle, add in a small amount of chicken broth (about 1/4 cup). Bring the heat back up, and add in a little flour at a time, whisking until smooth.
In alternating amounts, add chicken broth and flour, repeating until all of the flour has been added.
Add in the lemon juice, tomatoes, corn, and remaining chicken broth.
Increase the heat slightly, stirring occasionally.
Once the mixture looks like it’s close to boiling, decrease the heat back to medium and add in the cheese. Whisk until melted.
Add in the evaporated milk / heavy cream and the zucchini/onion mixture you have set aside. Let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes before serving. Top with additional cheese if desired. Enjoy!
GARDEN ZUCCHINI CHOWDER
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini diced
- 3/4 cup diced yellow onion 1 onion, medium sized
- 28 oz chicken broth about 3 1/2 cups
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 14 oz diced tomatoes lightly drained
- 15 oz corn lightly drained
- 12 oz evaporated milk can use whole milk, heavy cream or dairy free milks as well
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut 1 TBSP of butter off the stick of 1/3 cup and heat it in a frying pan on medium.
- Add in the diced onions. Let them cook for a minute or two, then add the zucchini, added a few dashes of salt and pepper. Saute vegetables for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- While the zucchini is sautéing, begin making a roux (fancy word for white sauce) for your chowder. Open the cans of chicken broth and have them close at hand.
- Melt the remaining amount of butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add in sage, garlic powder and parsley.
- When the butter begins to sizzle, add a small amount of the chicken broth (maybe 1/4 cup). Let mixture heat back up, then begin adding the flour a little at a time, whisking until smooth.
- In alternating amounts, add more chicken broth, then flour, until all the flour is added.
- Add in lemon juice, tomatoes, corn and remaining chicken broth. Increase the heat slightly (I had my stove on "6") stirring occasionally.
- Once mixture looks to be nearly boiling, decrease heat back to medium and add in the cheese. Whisk gently until melted.
- Whisk gently until melted. Add in evaporated milk and the zucchini/onion mixture. Simmer soup for about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve with additional cheese on top if desired.
Nutrition
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Can I use fresh vegetables instead of canned?
Yes, by all means, go for it! While canned is simple and easy enough to get ahold of, if you have fresh available to you, then all the better. Either way this chowder turns out delicious!
Can I use frozen corn instead of canned?
Absolutely! Frozen corn is a great way to get the fresh corn feel and as an added bonus, you don’t have to thaw it before using! Simply open the bag and pour it in when directed. It will warm up and cook with the soup.
How long will leftover chowder last in the fridge?
Store your leftover chowder in an airtight container (or covered pot) in the fridge for 3-4 days, reheating a bowl at a time as needed. You can also put the pot on the stove and reheat over medium/low to bring the soup back up to temperature if you need multiple servings warmed at the same time.
Still have tons of zucchini? Here are easy zucchini recipes we love ~
- Best Zucchini Bread Recipe Ever!
- Zucchini Sausage Soup
- Lemon Zucchini Muffins
- Garden Zucchini Chowder
- Low Fat Zucchini Cookies
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Zucchini Carrot Muffins
- Easy Stuffed Zucchini
- Grilled Lemon Curry Zucchini
- Zucchini Risotto
- Zucchini Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting
- Easy Zucchini Pasta
- Cheesy Zucchini Fritters
- Oven Fried Zucchini
- Pudding Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Corn Chowder recipe that’s perfect for summer dinners when the garden is plentiful. Hearty chowder made with zucchini, corn & tomatoes that is a great way to use fresh summer produce.
Leslie says
This summer soup sounds delicious! I’ve never thought of making summer squash soup!
Blessings,
Leslie
Jessica says
Can this be done in the crockpot?
Jessica says
Hmmm- my only worry is the zucchini would get too cooked and become mush. If you made it in the crockpot, I’d say add the zucchini and the evaporated milk only for the last hour. All the other ingredients could cook on low for 6-8 hours with no problems. Let me know how it goes!
Anna M. Lavender says
This recipe looks so yummy. I was a little confused at 1 – 120oz. can evaporated milk….:) Did not know that they made them that large. LOL
Jessica says
Hahaha- that’d be a LOT of milk! I fixed it. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Mary Grote says
It still shows 120 ounces on recipe.
Amy says
It’s not fixed. How much evaporated milk?
Jessica says
You just use a 12 oz can
Diane Schoeneck says
You didn t fix the 120 oz milk and my wife bought 10 cans!!!
Aug 4, 2020
Jessica says
That’s where common sense comes in…
BeeGee says
Landed here via link from another site promoting 50 Lo-Carb soups, but couldn’t find the nutritional
values of this soup here, can you provide it?
Linda Lawson says
I made this today & it was delicious! Substituted Original Rotellle for tomatoes because I like spicy & sprinkled bacon bits on top of serving. Will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
Alison says
Linda, sounds delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
Amy says
Thank you I made it just like the recipe, our was SO good and have already shared the recipe with a friend.
Carol says
Can you cook & freeze leftovers? Can you freeze the zucchini & make this in the fall or winter?
Jessica says
I don’t care for mushy zucchini, so if you plan to freeze the leftover soup, just be mindful that the squash softens up more once reheated. I’m not a fan of frozen zucchini, so I’m not much help, I’m sorry! (You can buy zucchini year round though, and the recipe only requires 1-2, so it’s not a huge price increase to make it when they’re not “in season.” Just a thought!
Nancy says
I made this yesterday and added some diced carrots and some cubed baby potatoes as well. I couldn’t figure out though why all of my cheddar cheese didn’t melt, even after letting it simmer for 15 minutes. It just stayed stringy. Wonder why??? Also, it didn’t seem very thick like corn chowder. It tasted much better today, more flavorful, but needs some meat … maybe sausage??? I added some crumbled bacon today and it gave it more flavor.
Jessica says
What kind of cheese were you using? No idea why it wasn’t melting!