Vegan Summer Corn Chowder
This vegan summer corn chowder recipe is perfect for late summer and fall when fresh corn is in season. It features bold ingredients like green chilies, sun-dried tomatoes and cajun seasoning, along with potatoes and white beans for a creamy finish.
This soup is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for serving as the temperatures start to drop but you’re quite ready to say goodbye to summer.
Whether you serve it on its own for a light meal or pair it with grilling or a fresh green salad, you’ll love this zesty 30-minute soup any night of the week! This Chickpea Vegetable Chowder and Vegan Sweet Potato Corn Chowder are both delicious too if you’d like to try them next.
Recipe Highlights
- Vegan, gluten-free and can be oil-free and nut-free.
- Can be made in advance.
- Zesty, spicy, savoury and slightly sweet flavour.
- Ready to enjoy in 30 minutes.
- Perfect for late summer and fall when corn is in season.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Olive Oil: Use olive oil or substitute avocado oil or another cooking oil you like. You can use water or broth for an oil-free soup.
- Onion: White or yellow onion works.
- Garlic: Use fresh minced or grated garlic.
- Cajun Seasoning: This can be substituted with creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning or 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and 1/2 tsp each oregano and thyme.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes: You can use dried sun-dried tomatoes or drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. An alternative to these would be roasted red pepper or you can leave them out.
- Potato: Use Yukon gold potato or another yellow potato variety for best results.
- Beans: You can use navy beans or white kidney beans/cannellini beans.
- Corn: This recipe is for fresh corn but you can substitute canned or frozen corn (about 3 cups).
- Green Chili: Look for canned green chilis with other Mexican-inspired ingredients like salsa, taco seasoning, refried beans, etc. If you can’t find canned green chilies, you can use jalapeno or poblano peppers.
- Broth: You can use any canned, carton or cubed vegetable broth or stock you like.
- Milk: I would recommend unsweetened almond milk but cream, heavy cream, unsweetened cashew milk or light coconut milk also work.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot then add the onion and cook for a few minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, then stir in the cajun seasoning and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients, bring it to a light simmer, then cover and cook for about 20 minutes until the potato is fork tender.
Step 3: Scoop about 3 cups of the soup out and into a blender. Blend it until completely smooth. Be sure to let the steam release as you’re blending!
Step 4: Pour the blended portion back into the pot and mix with the remaining soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Try your corn chowder topped with cooked or roasted corn kernels, crumbled tempeh bacon or coconut bacon, green onions, sour cream or diced jalapeno.
It’s also delicious served with fresh soft bread, toasted sourdough or any other bread you enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
This can be substituted with creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, 1-2 tsp adobo sauce, or 2 tsp paprika or smoked paprika, 1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper (depending on how much heat you want), 1/2 oregano and 1/2 tsp thyme and just be sure to season with salt and pepper as you go.
If you can’t find canned green chilies, you can substitute 1 deseeded and diced jalapeno pepper or small poblano pepper.
This recipe is best with fresh corn but it can also be made with frozen or canned corn. Substitute 3 cups frozen or rinsed canned corn for the 4 ears of fresh corn.
Cool before storing. Store leftover chowder in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating it in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop until heated through.
More Soup Recipes
- Vegan Sweet Potato Corn Chowder: Similar but made with sweet potato and bell pepper.
- Chickpea Vegetable Chowder: A reader-favourite! Very easy and delicious.
- Vegan Black Bean Soup: A popular must-try recipe.
- Lemon Lentil Soup: Healthy, zesty and so delicious!
- White Bean Chili: Incredible lime, white bean and potato chili.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Creamy Vegan Summer Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil 30 mL
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- salt and pepper
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped, optional
- 2 large Yukon gold potatoes diced (approx. 500 g)
- 1 15-ounce can of navy beans, drained
- 4 ears of fresh corn kernels removed
- 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
- 4 cups vegetable broth 1000 mL
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk 250 mL
- 2 tsp cornstarch optional
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed 5-quart Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Cook Onion: Once hot, add the onion with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened but not browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Add in the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, then add the cajun seasoning and cook for another 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Simmer Soup: Add everything else to the pot (except the cornstarch, if using), season with another pinch of salt and pepper, and bring it to a light simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Blend Soup: Transfer about 3 cups of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Be careful to allow steam to release while you blend. Pour the soup back into the pot with the unblended portion and stir to combine.
- Add Cornstarch (Optional): For additional thickening, mix 2 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until combined then whisk it into the soup.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust for seasoning if needed and serve immediately.
