How To Thicken Corn Chowder (15 Easy Methods)

Not sure how to thicken corn chowder?

This article has got you covered!

Corn chowder is a delicious and comforting dish, but sometimes it falls short in the thickening department.

It can be tricky to get the consistency just right, as too much oil or cream can make it gloopy and too watery won’t make for an enjoyable soup.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to thicken corn chowder without compromising its flavor.

In this article, I will share fifteen easy methods that will turn your thin broth into a thick and hearty stew in no time.

How To Thicken Corn Chowder?

To thicken corn chowder, you can add a combination of flour and butter. Start by melting the butter in the pot on low heat, then add an equal amount of all-purpose flour to form a paste. Slowly whisk this mixture into your chowder and allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes until it has thickened.

Corn chowder is a delicious and creamy soup, but sometimes it can be too thin for your liking.

If you’re looking to thicken up your corn chowder, here are fifteen easy ways to do so:

Add a slurry of cornstarch and water.

If your corn chowder is facing thickness issues, don’t worry – there’s an easy solution that you can whip up in no time.

All you need to do is make a simple slurry with some cornstarch and water, then add it to the mixture until the perfect consistency is achieved.

The amount of starch you should use depends on how thick you want your chowder, so take it slow and factor in volume as well as texture when adding more if needed.

Plus, this method requires minimal effort or expertise so even beginners can succeed at making their chowder just right.

Use a roux made from flour and butter.

Ahh… Roux – the classic ingredient for thickening sauces and soups alike!

Making roux out of butter (or oil) and flour will provide your corn chowder with the structural strength it needs to stay sturdy when scooped into bowls or served over toast.

Working with hot liquids means that roux has to be added slowly while stirring constantly, but trust me: once you’ve cracked this process down pat, there won’t be any soup-thickness struggles again!

Blend some of the corn chowder and return it to the pot.

Adding enough ingredients to thicken up your soup without changing its flavor too much can be difficult sometimes; thankfully there’s always blending!

Take some of your prepared stock/chowder (without overcooking!) and transfer it into a blender before blitzing it off till everything has broken down nicely into one velvety smooth mixture.

To get back an even consistency throughout all components in the dish, try to fold the blended mixture back into the rest of the chowder.

Mix in instant mashed potato flakes.

Instant mashed potato flakes are the ultimate thickening agent for your corn chowder.

They dissolve quickly and won’t leave any gritty or starchy taste behind in your soup, so you can focus on enjoying its creamy comfort without worrying about additional textures.

Plus, as an added bonus, each spoonful will be infused with a flavor that only comes from potatoes—like you just melted a pile of fluffy mashed potatoes into your soup!

Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half.

For those who seek a thicker soup but don’t enjoy the starchiness of instant potatoes, heavy cream or half-and-half can do the trick.

Simply add it to the pot and stir it in until well combined then bring it to a boil for maximum thickness (you could also opt for light cream to reduce calories).

And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, consider swirling in some butter when served – talk about decadence!

Add a can of creamed corn.

Adding a can of creamed corn to your thin corn chowder is like sending in the cavalry.

It will instantly thicken it up, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add some diced jalapeños to give it an extra kick.

Not only will this instantly transform your soup from watery to comforting, but it’ll also make the flavors sing like they never have before.

Use a potato masher to mash some of the corn and potatoes.

If mashing potatoes sounds too much for you, just do what my grandmother used to do: use her trusty potato masher!

She’d take whatever vegetables were lingering in her kitchen and mash them together until they formed a thick concoction that was perfect for soups or stews.

Adding mashed potatoes and corn to your chowder will give it an almost creamy texture without having to use cream at all!

Plus bonus points –– when you inevitably burn yourself trying to mash those hot spuds, it’s kind of therapeutic!

Mix in a can of refried beans.

As strange as it might sound at first – refried beans could be just the thing that makes your thin chowder thicker (not fatter).

This dish has been served all around Mexico for centuries – so clearly there must be something special about adding these beans! I promise by stirring a few spoonfuls into your chili-like soup, not only will its consistency improve drastically; but its flavor profile with become richer with every bite as well.

Add some breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to thicken up your corn chowder, just grab some bread crumbs or cracker crumbs from the pantry.

All you have to do is stir them into the soup and let it simmer for about 5 minutes – that’s it!

This method works like a charm, so get ready to enjoy an amazingly thick and creamy corn chowder in no time at all.

Plus, if you want to add some extra flavor to your soup, sprinkle a bit of garlic powder on top for an added zing.

Stir in a can of evaporated milk.

Evaporated milk can often be found lurking among the canned goods in the grocery store – and lucky for us, it also makes a great thickening agent in soups like corn chowder.

Just stir in a 12oz can of evaporated milk until everything blends together nicely, then let it simmer away until your desired thickness is achieved – voilà!

You now have gorgeously luxurious chowder that tastes even better with every spoonful.

Believe me when I say; this will quickly become one of your go-to methods whenever you need something hearty on the table fast!

Use a mixture of equal parts cornmeal and water.

For those who are less inclined towards store-bought ingredients (no judgment here!), there’s always this tried-and-tested technique: combine equal parts of cornmeal and water together until they form a pasty mixture – think porridge consistency but with more texture – then slowly stir this into your corn chowder while reheating.

With patience comes reward; once everything has been mixed in evenly, you will be rewarded with a delightfully thick chowder that’s full of flavor and texture.

Add a dollop of sour cream.

Adding a dollop of sour cream to your thin corn chowder is like adding life insurance to your soup – it’s guaranteed to bring back the thickness and creaminess that you’re looking for.

Plus, its subtle tang will instantly add more flavor to any soup and give it the oomph that it needs.

So if you want more body in your chowder without having any additional fat, try stir-frying some sour cream into this otherwise delicate dish.

Mix in a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup.

Mixing in a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup is like buying extra protection for your thin corn chowder – it never hurts to have an extra layer in case things get too thin and watery!

Plus, this creamy sauce provides a luxurious mouthfeel with just one tablespoon, so all you need is a few large spoonfuls or ladles full to thicken up your chowder once again.

Add grated cheese and stir until melted.

Adding grated cheese to a pot of any type of soup creates an aroma that’s simply heavenly!

But when mixed with a thin corn chowder, grated cheese can also do wonders by providing instant flavoring while thickening up the liquid as well – basically, two birds killed with one stone!

All you need to do is stir until all the cheese has melted before feasting on this cheesy deliciousness; just be sure not to dig too much because nobody likes watery food!

Use a stick blender to puree some of the corn and vegetables.

Using a stick blender (or other blending device) might not seem like an obvious solution but trust me: it works wonders on soups and stews!

All you need to do is blend the thin corn chowder until it reaches the desired consistency – but not too much because you don’t want it to become a puree.

And if you don’t have a stick blender handy, a hand mixer is more than capable of the job as well.

Final Thoughts

So, how can you make corn chowder thicker?

To thicken corn chowder, you can use a roux made from butter and flour. You can also use mashed potatoes or pureed vegetables such as carrots or celery to add thickness. Cornstarch mixed with water is another popular option that helps bind the ingredients together and add body to the soup.