Heart-warming Poblano Corn Chowder is creamy, vegan and full of summertime flavor. Corn, potatoes, and poblano peppers with Mexican spices, in a creamy vegan base. Easy to make and deliciously addicting. Video.

Bowl of poblano corn chowder with lime and cilantro.

Here’s a cozy fall soup that highlights end-of-summer veggies. I love the chilly nights of September-perfect for soup making. Leftovers get repurposed into midweek lunches and somehow it feels nourishing and satisfying- the gift that keeps on giving!

Why You’ll Love This!

  1. Impressive, yet simple! This creamy soup has beautiful, brightly colored ingredients and garnishes that make it just as tasty to look at as it is to eat. What’s even better is that the method is simple and can be prepared in just over 30 minutes.
  2. This is a one-pot recipe. All of the ingredients go into the pot, making cooking and clean-up a pinch! You will need the blender for the corn, but once poured into the pot, it gives the soup a rich, creamy texture.
  3. Use up your late summer vegetables. Bell pepper, poblano peppers, and corn give this corn chowder a distinct late summer feel that is perfect for making the most of the season’s produce while welcoming in warm comfort food.
  4. It is so, so comforting! As we welcome in a colder season, it’s once again time to bring soups back on the menu! We love this particular recipe in late summer and early fall because it’s bright, veggie-ful and not too heavy. A comfort food soup that will leave you feeling energized and vibrant!
  5. This recipe is full of healthy ingredients. Did we mention this soup is full of veggies?! In addition to a bounty of fresh produce (onion, bell peppers, poblano, potatoes, corn), this Poblano Corn Chowder is bursting with fragrant spices that are high in antioxidants.
wood spoon stirring poblano corn chowder with peppers and potatoes

What Is Corn Chowder?

This nourishing soup originates from North America and is a staple dish for transitioning from summer to fall. Between August and October corn is at its very best, and usually its sweetest! In fact, using sweet corn will complement the savory vegetables and potatoes in corn chowder, offering a rich complexity of flavor.

Corn chowder is known for its rich and creamy texture that comes from a traditional base of potatoes and corn. Onions and/or leeks are typically used for their aromatic flavor. And it is common to use butter or bacon to layer in a fat component. We use olive oil to make this a lighter variation of corn chowder that we think fits the late summer season just right!

This creamy soup recipe is almost always prepared with a variety of warming spices that enhance its comforting qualities. In our version, we use cumin, coriander, oregano, and bay leaf.

As a beloved dish at the heart of American cuisine, this soup is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family on chilly evenings. Let this cozy soup bring you feelings of nostalgia and warmth.

Poblano Corn Chowder Ingredients

 poblano corn chowder ingredients.
  • Olive oil: This warm, earthy oil will sauté the veggies. But it also adds a subtle hint of fat that adds to the comforting nature of this dish. Olive oil is known for being very grounding, which is exactly the kind of feeling we need when heading into a new season.
  • Onion: Diced onion provides an aromatic base for this soup. When sautéed, onions give off a caramelized flavor that helps bring out the sweetness in the corn.
  • Red bell pepper: Of all the red bell pepper colors, red bell pepper is the sweetest! It is the perfect complement for the spicier poblano peppers.
  • Poblano peppers: The poblano peppers make this variation of corn chowder a bit more toasty, peppery, and spicy. The spice mellows out when cooked, so the soup comes together with a subtle bit of heat that adds to the warm flavor.
  • Garlic cloves: Garlic adds another layer of aromatic flavor, making this dish the best kind of savory!
  • Potatoes: Use yukon, red, or baby potatoes for this recipe. They provide a subtle sweetness in flavor, but are essential to the soup’s texture. Spoonfuls of potato give each bite a hearty feel. Because of that, this dish can be enjoyed completely on its own! If you really love creamy texture, use a spoon or fork to gently mash some of the potatoes in the pot.
  • Veggie broth: You can use vegetable broth or water with broth base or bouillon cubes. Broth helps cook the vegetables and potatoes to perfection, and it adds a bit of salty, savory flavor.
  • Salt and pepper: Added with the potatoes, broth, and other spices to bring out all of the rich flavors.
  • Spices: Cumin, coriander, oregano, and bay leaf are added for warm, grounding, savory, sweet, earthy, and nutty flavors.
  • Corn: Our recipe calls for 4 cups of corn kernels. If making this recipe in late summer or early fall, we recommend using freshly cooked corn for optimal flavor. But when you’re in a pinch (or if enjoying throughout the colder seasons) you can use frozen (thawed) or canned corn.
  • Milk: Use regular, soy, almond, or oat milk. The milk is blended with half of the corn to create a creamy sauce that is then stirred into the soup.
  • Garnishes: Serve your Poblano Corn Chowder with cilantro, lime, sour cream, or anything else you’d like! Fresh cilantro and lime brighten up the soup to give it that late summer feel.

How to Make Poblano Corn Chowder

Sauté the vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat heat. Add the onion, cooking for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat to medium and add the bell pepper, poblano peppers, and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant.

sautéed onions and peppers in soup pot

Add the potatoes, broth, and spices. Add the potatoes, broth, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano, and bay leaf. There should be enough liquid to cover the potatoes. If not, add a little more. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking until the potatoes are tender. This should take about 10 minutes.

Soup pot with Poblano Corn chowder with potatoes and veggies.

Layer in the corn. Divide the corn into two halves. Place half of the corn in a blender with the milk. Blend until silky smooth.

blender with milk and puréed corn

Pour into the soup pot. Add the remaining corn and stir.

soup pot with creamy poblano corn chowder and wood spoon

Taste. Taste and adjust the salt to your desired preference. Add a squeeze of lime, if needed.

Serve. Serve the corn chowder with lime wedges and cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream for extra richness if you like.

Expert Tips

  1. Control the level of heat: Poblano peppers become milder when cooked, but every once in awhile there is a spicier batch. If you prefer the soup to be less spicy, carefully remove the seeds before chopping the poblano. If you want extra spice, add red pepper flakes along with the rest of the spices when preparing the soup.
  2. Get creative with mix-ins: Take a look around your kitchen for any ingredients that might go well in this soup! Fresh, chopped tomatoes, green onions, beans, and even cheese like cotija would make tasty additions.
  3. Use frozen or canned corn if you don’t have fresh. If using frozen corn, leave the bag out to thaw beforehand. You can even place the frozen corn in the fridge the night before.
bowl of poblano corn chowder with spoon and lime garnish

Storing & Reheating

Store the soup in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze this recipe for 2-3 months.

To reheat, add the soup to a saucepan over medium heat until warm all the way through. You can also heat the soup in the microwave for a few minutes.

What to Serve it With

FAQs

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this recipe 1-2 days in advance. Once made, cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Reheat the chowder in a large pot over medium-low heat until warm all the way through.

How do I reheat frozen chowder?

This recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat by letting the soup thaw in the fridge first. Then reheat on the stovetop in a large pot over medium-low heat until warm.

What are the best potatoes for corn chowder?

Waxy potatoes are best! They have a medium level of starch and are subtly sweet. We love using Yukon Gold potatoes, but baby and red potatoes work well here too.

Do I need to peel the potatoes before adding them to the chowder?

No. The skins on the potatoes help to make this soup even more rustic. They are flavorful too!

What is the difference between chowder and soup?

Traditionally, chowder is made with cream and flour to create a thick and rich texture. We simply blend half of the corn with milk to create a creamy consistency that’s still light and healthy.

Love this recipe? Please let us know in the comments and leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below the recipe card.

Poblano Corn chowder VidEo

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Heart-warming Poblano Corn Chowder is creamy, vegan and full of summertime flavor. Corn, potatoes, and poblano peppers with Mexican spices, in a creamy vegan base. Easy to make and deliciously addicting.

Poblano Corn Chowder

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 28 reviews

Description

Heart-warming Poblano Corn Chowder is creamy, vegan and full of summertime flavor. Corn, potatoes, and poblano peppers with Mexican spices, in a creamy vegan base. Easy to make and deliciously addicting.


Ingredients

Units
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • one onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 12 large poblano peppers, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, rough chopped
  • 3 cups potatoes, diced- yukon, baby, red, or peeled
  • 3 cups veggie broth (or use water and 2 teaspoons broth base or boullion cubes)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups corn (divided)
  • 2 cups milk (regular, soy, almond, oat) I used soy milk and loved it.

Garnish with cilantro and lime, optional sour cream


Instructions

  1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat. Saute onion, 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Lower heat to medium, add bell pepper, poblano peppers and garlic, saute 4-5 minutes until fragrant. Add potatoes and broth and salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano and bay leaf.  You should have just enough liquid to cover potatoes- if not, add a little more. Cover and bring to a gentle simmer, until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
  2. Place half of the corn in a blender with the milk. Blend until silky smooth. Pour this into the soup pot, along with the remaining half of corn. Simmer for a few minutes until heated through. 
  3. Taste and adjust the salt to taste. Add a squeeze of lime, if needed.
  4. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream for extra richness if you like.

Notes

Soup will keep up to 4 days in the fridge, or freeze for later. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ¼ cup
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 11.2 g
  • Sodium: 691.1 mg
  • Fat: 4.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31.5 g
  • Fiber: 4.1 g
  • Protein: 6.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 1.2 mg

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Comments

  1. This soup is AMAZING! The recipe in the notes says cooked corn which I saw in the middle of cooking so a bit of a mess. Def recommend using fresh corn. I used half the coriander, less salt, whole milk, and I emulsified some of the broth to thicken it. I am so happy I doubled this recipe!






  2. Making this for the second time in 2 weeks. I added turkey sausage and some red pepper flakes and used chicken stock instead of Veggie broth. Delicious!






  3. Thanks so much for sharing this lovely recipe. I made it tonight for dinner it was so so good!! I live in the Pacific Northwest as well so I really love soups in the winter and today was a rainy day so it was perfect for dinner tonight thanks so much again!!

  4. Lovely soup & so easy to make! Made exactly as specified in the recipe & will definitely make again. I’m not the biggest fan of oregano, so will probably use less next time. Do you have any suggestions for an alternative? Cilantro or basil? Thanks for another wonderful recipe!






    1. Hi Mary, Thanks for the review! How about marjoram instead of oregano- a little less pungent. Fresh cilantro would be nice to add before serving.

  5. Delicious. Husband and daughter both said they enjoyed the soup. Great flavors. This will be on repeat for a fall/winter soup.






  6. Absolutely delicious. I made the soup exactly as instructed, and it made a terrific supper, served with sourdough toasts.

  7. Just made this Sunday. SO GOOD! (As is everything from Sylvia Feasting at Home!) Used 4 smaller poblanos. frozen corn and Country Crock Plant Creamer (which is amazing btw).

  8. Absolutely delicious soup! I used 2 poblano peppers (without seeds), and it was the perfect amount of heat. If you don’t like a bit of kick, 1 poblano is probably enough. I opted for frozen corn, red potatoes, and unsweetened soy milk. 10/10!






    1. Yes, just add it to the pot with the blended corn/milk mixture, then simmer for a few minutes.

    1. I bet that was so good with the smokey bacon flavor! Glad you enjoyed. You can tag us on Instagram- we love seeing what you make!

  9. So good! I loved it with soy milk too 🙂 today I fried an egg and placed it on top of the soup – delicious! Thank you Sylvia!!






  10. Loved this recipe! I used purple potatoes and they came out amazing. I also used almond milk, and it came out great. I added a little more spice to balance out the sweet corn. Very nice recipe to start off the autumn!






  11. Delicious way to use season’s corn. I was low in potatoes so I threw some cauliflower florets in there too. I have fresh epazote so I used 6-7 leaves of that toward the end instead of the bay leaf. The soup has a nice creamy texture that sits easier than super heavy chowders. I froze a few portions for yummmmy lunches— my future self is thanking me!






  12. So delicious — perfect way to feature what we are harvesting in the garden and receiving in our CSA share this season! I used whole milk, and added some whole coriander seeds, which create a satisfying pop of flavor!

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