Instant Pot Potato Corn Chowder

This easy Instant Pot potato corn chowder recipe is amazing!! It only takes 15 minutes to make and is the perfect creamy corn soup to eat all year long. Served by itself for dinner or with a side of rolls it surely will be your new favorite Ninja Foodi recipe or pressure cooker soup. Your kids will think it’s a winner too!

OH MY Goodness is this Instant Pot potato corn chowder amazing! I have been experimenting with new appliance of mine since I got it just before Christmas and it has changed my world! It’s one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes. (affiliate links present)

Potato Corn Chowder

We eat together more often now because everything cooks SO much faster. You can use a Ninja Foodi or Crockpot Express too. The brand of pot doesn’t really matter.

I feel like we eat a bit healthier too because I can cook with fresh veggies and it takes no time at all. We’ve made soups, chili, popcorn, and now this chowder in it and I think this is It starts with two main items from the produce department, corn and potatoes. I usually have a bag of the latter in my pantry since we live in Idaho of course…

Instant Pot Corn Chowder

You can use frozen kernels too and I have when fresh doesn’t look great at the store or I’m just trying to do it real quick. From start to finish in the pot it takes about 15 minutes pressure cooking cook time. Adding in the prep you’re looking at a quick 25 minutes from start to finish.

Just enough time to throw some rolls in the oven and everything is done at once! It’s so good! If you’ve been to San Francisco and had the Boudin clam chowder there this reminds me of that kind of soup.  Tip: I’d highly recommend fresh vs. frozen corn but if that’s all you have give it a go.

• It is perfect as is but I usually throw a loaf of garlic bread in the oven once I put everything in my Instant Pot and it is all done right around the same time.

I’ve since made this easy Instant Pot clam chowder recipe and between these two I’m set for a few great nights of comfort food at it’s finest. On high pressure with a quick release it’s SUPER fast and done in 30 minutes.

What are the best potatoes for chowder?

I like red potatoes for recipes such as this one. Yukon Gold are probably the second best. You really want one that won’t break apart and mess with the thickness of your soup. I have used russet as well, depends on what I have.

Ninja Foodi Potato Corn Chowder

You will want your electric pressure cooker. If you have an Instant Pot I HIGHLY suggest getting a non stick pot. To make as a Ninja Foodi recipe it already has a ceramic coating so no issues there. For this machine you will use the lid that is NOT attached and the pressure cook button.

1. Red potatoes
   1. I have used russet too if that’s all I have
   2. diced small with skin on is my preference
2. Fresh corn kernels – right off the cob like when you make Instant Pot corn is best
3. Onion
4. Vegetable or chicken broth (way better than using water)
5. Cheddar cheese
6. Half and half or heavy cream
7. Corn starch or flour
8. Butter
9. Salt and pepper to taste
10. Bacon – bits of crispy bacon crumbled on the top takes it over the top!

Can you make Instant Pot potato corn chowder without cream?

I mean you can do what you want since it is made from scratch homemade by you. If you need a dairy free version I would whisk a bit of cornstarch with coconut milk or cashew milk instead. Difference would be that this isn’t as thick which is why I would whisk in 1 tbsp thickener. It is a great comfort food that can be adjusted to your liking, but just as is it tastes amazing too.

How do you make a thick & hearty corn chowder?

I think it is all about adding all the things. After Easter and Christmas I will use leftovers instead of bacon. I just dice up what I have left over the day or two after the holidays and it turns out amazing! Of course you can make it year round with store bought meat or ham hocks but it’s a must then.

This whole process is really easy and I love that I can use fresh produce to create it. I also love that you could easily add in bits of made with leftover ham, bacon, or diced celery inside as well if you desired.

How do you thicken corn chowder?

Use 1 tbsp flour or corn starch, arrowroot is a gluten free choice as well. You will want to whisk this with about 4 tbsp cool water until smooth and then if you don’t think it is thick enough set to saute when done. Allow to bubble and pour this mixture. Stir and in time it will get thicker. As it cools this will thicken too.

How do I make corn soup at home?

You could easily make this Instant Pot potato corn chowder soup recipe on the stove too. You would just follow the directions but add into a large pot over medium high heat. Allow to reach a consistent boil and stir intermittently until russets are as tender as you’d like them to be and thick. Then serve!

1. Set Instant Pot to saute and add butter until melted. 
2. Add diced onions and cook until softened. Turn pot off now to avoid burn notice.
3. Pour in broth, diced potatoes and corn kernels now. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Close the lid and steam valve.
5. Set to high pressure for 10 minutes.

I know, it’s done super duper fast right? It will come out creamy and delicious. Of course you can skip the cornstarch if you wanted but I like it thick. Flour can be used instead to make the roux.

1. I usually allow it to naturally release steam for just 1 minute to avoid any spraying, then quick release.
2. Whisk together in a small bowl your cornstarch and some hot liquid from pot.
3. Set pressure cooker to saute, add cornstarch slurry and stir in with half and half and shredded cheese.
4. Allow to thicken and serve!!

Potato Corn Chowder with Heavy Cream

Looking for more Instant pot recipes? More specifically, pressure cooker soups? We have a lot of options beyond this one, some healthy like our homemade Instant Pot chicken noodle soup and others are just feel good comfort food you have to try.

Our Pressure cooker cabbage soup is another creation that uses a lot of vegetables that we love.

• This Instant Pot split pea soup recipe is homemade!
• Instant Pot pinto bean soup

If you only have a slow cooker here is crockpot corn chowder you can make at home too. 😉

What do you eat corn chowder with?

Corn bread is a great pairing, or a nice fresh green salad works. A simple semi homemade pull apart bread with refrigerated biscuits is probably our favorite simple side dish.

• For dessert a simple Instant Pot apple crisp w/ ice cream is yummy for dessert. 

Can you freeze potato corn chowder?

Yes!! We rarely have any leftovers but if you do just: cool soup completely, then add to a freezer safe container and freeze for 1-2 months.

To thaw place containers in the refrigerator overnight or until thawed completely on your countertop. Reheat in pot on the stovetop or in the microwave. Heat in 30 second increments. You can add a bit of half and half and stir thin it out as you reheat. Sprinkle top with some shredded cheese and/or bacon bits and serve!

I have used this recipe and added leftover ham to it too! This one was made in my Ninja Foodi and turned out amazingly well. I hate wasting food and the meat made it an even heartier soup.

Now for the printable instructions so you can enjoy this at home too this week. Nutritional information is calculated by the recipe card and is available below as well.  Let us know what you think below in the comments once you make it for your family!

My family loves this one. It was one of the first pressure cooker soups we made but still is their favorite even today. There is a printable recipe card below with nutritional information included as well. Of course we love “seeing you” so please come back time and time again to get instructions.