Slow Cooker Potato & Corn Chowder

Easy & delicious, this Slow Cooker Potato & Corn Chowder is the ultimate comfort food. The secret to this chowder recipe is cheese, lots of cheese.

You know that scene in Forrest Gump where Bubba lists all the way you can eat shrimp? Right now, that’s how I feel about corn. Creamed corn, corn on the cob, scalloped corn, corn cakes, corn chowder, corn ice cream….okay maybe I took it a little too far, but you know what I mean.

I just returned from my second trip with Iowa Corn, and like my trip before, I came back inspired and passionate about farming, corn, and our country. Seriously, there is a feeling in corn country that exudes American pride, and I am always so touched by it.

The added perk of this year’s trip was that I was with all my friends. I was asked to host this year’s trip and was honored. We had the most fantastic group of ladies, and as we left, one of my favorite people on earth cried because she would miss us all being together. That’s what the blogging community is like to me – close-knit, supportive, loving, and inspiring. And you know what? That is what the Iowa corn farmers are like, too.

This trip differed from my last one because we visited different farms, took a tour at Meredith Corporation, and had a cook-off at the cutest little community center (and yes, my team won!). More details on that later. Today, we’re going to talk corn. 

My Iowa Corn Experience

PASSION. Much like last year, it lit a fire in me to help sustain our earth and the farming culture and community. The passion of Iowa Corn and its farmers has rubbed off on us all. These farms look beyond their yard, their farm, and even Iowa. They are looking at our country and our world, helping everyone be more sustainable, and innovative and embrace the idea that farmers are looking out for you and your family’s best interest. Iowa corn farmers inspired me to look beyond myself – to have a greater sense of togetherness.

PRIDE. Iowa Corn’s president, Mark Recker, put it best: “It’s not just a job; it’s a lifestyle.”

INNOVATION. Corn is beyond what we eat at our dinner table. Corn fuels our livestock, cars, and homes and is in much of what we use and consume daily. Farmers are endlessly working on ways to utilize every part of corn – not only after it leaves their farm but while it is still on their farm. Using every piece of corn helps reduce costs for the farmer, but it also positively impacts our environment.

Corn feeds our livestock, cars, and homes and will continue to grow in its value as a tangible energy source. Out at the Blair family farm, we got to see how they use corn in various ways, including when it leaves their farm, and they sell it to an ethanol processing plant, they will then turn around and buy back the parts of the corn the plants don’t use, and use it as feed for their animals. So, one ear of corn can go full cycle. 

Farmers constantly strive to improve their systems, utilizing every resource they can to produce the best product efficiently. We got to hear the farms’ and families’ histories on both family farms we visited. We got to hear how their practices have improved. It was mind-blowing to me how much goes into the entire farming process. Many misconceptions exist about corn farming practices and why & how they do things. 

Corn farming in Iowa is a community thing. From its distilleries, factories, corporations, farms, families, and schools, Iowa is proud of its farming industry. Farmers are proud of their heritage. Corporations are proud of their innovation. People are proud of their work ethic.

The type of pride I am referring to is a humble one. It’s a sense of looking beyond oneself and thinking of the greater good. It’s about knowing, loving, and supporting the people and the world around you. It’s the type of pride that gives me faith in our future.

How do you make corn chowder?

In a slow cooker, add potatoes and corn.

Add flour over the corn and potatoes and stir to combine. Add seasonings: thyme, Montreal steak seasoning, oregano, garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Stir to coat corn and potatoes with seasoning. Add chicken broth.

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Add sharp cheddar, white cheddar cheese, butter, and heavy cream. Stir together to combine. Cover the slow cooker; cook for 30-60 minutes.

When ready to serve stir to combine and add Serve with garnishes, including corn, bacon, cheese, or anything else you want to add.

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It was a pleasure working with Iowa Corn. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.