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AÂ delicious, make-ahead soup that's perfect as an appetizer soup; this Fresh Corn Soup is also wonderful for lunch or casual dinners!
I know summer is right around the corner when I start seeing pretty ears of corn piled up high in bins at the market. And when the price display says "3 for $1", I grab a bag and fill it up! Fresh corn is one of those seasonal delights we can't seem to get enough of here at The Café. It's delicious steamed, grilled, roasted, sautéed, in salads, salsas, relishes, breads... and soups! I love serving soups like this Fresh Corn Soup all spring and summer long!
This Fresh Corn Soup is silky smooth and healthy, all at the same time! So often, smooth and creamy soups are loaded with butter and cream. While delicious, they're super high in calories and fat. Exactly what we don't need, with swimsuit and shorts weather over the next horizon, right? This soup gets all it's smoothness from veggies; onions, potatoes and lots of sweet, fresh corn! A stint in the blender and you'll never know the heavy dairy products are missing!
Unlike potatoes and onions, it takes a bit of blending to get corn silky smooth, so I use my KitchenAid Pro Line Blender which makes super fast work of it. However a regular blender will do just fine, just let it run a little longer.
We really enjoy soups like this, as they not only make a wonderful appetizer soup (delicious for a lovely prelude to a dinner party) but also are perfect for lunch with a grilled sandwich or along side a simple green salad for a casual evening meal. The soup can also be made a day in advance, making it wonderful for entertaining or busy weeknights.
I use a super simple microwave method for cooking the corn. The husks are left on, which helps trap heat and moisture, allowing the corn to cook quickly and evenly. When it's finished cooking and cooled slightly, the husks and silk pull back easily, leaving the corn silk-free and succulent. Overcooked corn gets tough and loses it's natural sweetness, so I really like this technique to keep it tender, fresh and delicious.
Reserve a handful of the corn for the delicious topping. Combined with crisp bacon bits, barely cooked onion and finely chopped fresh rosemary, the topping makes an elegant garnish for this wonderful soup. I had to laugh... I was playing around with the topping. I tried a bunch of combinations of herbs and ingredients before it was just right. With each variation, I tested it with a small bowl of soup. I ate so much soup, I couldn't even tell if it was good, or not. I brought Scott a bowl for a final taste-testing. He took one bite and his eyes lit up. I was quickly assured that this Fresh Corn Soup was "ready for the blog"!
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Fresh Corn Soup
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn
- 1Â tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 medium garlic cloves, finely minced
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth, possibly more
- 2 large yellow or russet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 large bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- For the topping:
- 2 slices thick cut, smoked bacon, diced small
- ½ cup finely diced sweet onion
- reserved corn
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Microwave 3 ears of corn on high power for 4 ½ minutes. Remove and set aside till cool enough to handle. Repeat with remaining 3 ears of corn.
- Peel back the husks and silk on one ear of corn and gather them in one hand. Snap them off at the base. Discard the husks and silks. Repeat for remaining corn.
- Cut corn kernels from cobs. Reserve ½ cup of the corn kernels for the topping and set aside separate from the rest. Cut cobs in half and set aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until butter is melted. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add broth, potatoes, bay leaves, salt and reserved cobs and bring to a boil. Cover and reduced to a low simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.
- Remove bay leaves and cobs and allow to cool slightly. Add the soup mixture and corn to a blender container and blend until very smooth, around 2-3 minutes. You may have to do this in two batches.
- Return soup to pot, taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Thin with extra broth, if needed Cover pot and keep warm till ready to serve.
Nutrition
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This soup was really good; I did add a lot more seasonings including rosemary. My husband loved it even though he's selective on soups. My toddler didn't love it, but she doesn't care for soup. My 9 year old loved it, though!
Thanks, LM!
This was my first attempt at corn soup. It was delicious. I served the soup with cornbread the first night. The second night, I served it to guests as a side item along with Pioneer Woman’s Spicy Grilled Vegetable Panini. My guests loved the soup too. Thank you for another wonderful, quick recipe.
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it, Debbie. Both of your meals sound delicious!
You have one of the best food blogs I have ever seen. I love your recipes. You are spot on with everything. Your presentation of the food is brilliant.
I had some extra cobs of corn left over and the soup is simmering on the stove right now. I can't wait to try it. We are going to love it.
Wow! Thanks so much for such a kind and thoughtful comment, Carrie! I really appreciate you taking the time and hope you enjoy the soup!
Can this be frozen? Going to the farmers' mkt this Wed so will be making it soon.....thanks for sharing.
In a pinch....could frozen corn be used in this recipe?
Hi Linda! Yes, you could use frozen corn. The super sweet corn that comes in a small can (Summer Crisp) is also delicious.
I cannot wait to try this soup, but I really would like to serve it on that darling, festive mug!!!
Any chance finding it?
Also how long do you cook your corn with husk on in microwave?
Thanks so much for all your wonderful inspirations!
Thanks so much, Gale. The mugs are from Anthropologie. They always have the prettiest mugs and dishes!
Can't wait to try this recipe! I have everything needed in my kitchen. Added bonus, it's vegan and gluten free!
Hope you enjoy it Cathy!
I just picked up some sweet local corn and I can't wait to try your soup - I love the silky smooth texture!
I love anything with corn! This soup has it all together especially with that bacon on top. Love your new springy look!
Love corn soup! And it's perfect for the first (or last) corn of the year -- the stuff that isn't quite ripe (or is too ripe). Perfect recipe -- thanks.
What a beautiful and simple soup, my family would love it.
Corn season is always one of our favorite times of year - not that I'm looking forward to the end of summer quite yet! What a beautiful bowl of soup in your pretty new bowl, Chris! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!
That soup looks so rich and creamy, Chris! Ooooh and those little chunks of corn and bacon on top! I am really looking forward to summer corn. And your kitchen renovations are amazing! Congratulations! How fun it must be to create in such a beautiful space! 🙂
I've never had or made this before but you've convinced me that I should. Gorgeous presentation also!
Holy moly this would be a total hit with my husband Tom Chris! I can't wait to try your recipe!
Everything about this looks delicious and gorgeous. The soup. The garnish. The cup.
Absolutely perfect and beautiful bowl of soup! We are starting to see some good corn from the states, so can't wait to try this one 🙂
Hi Chris, I first saw this soup on IG and knew that I would have to check out this recipe, absolutely blog worthy. Beautiful presentation and I love those dishes.
Happy Mother's day!
One of my daughter's loves corn soup..our fresh corn is months away..but we often get imported fresh corn..lol..will make her this!
I get so excited when the big bins of corn are in the stores! And I can't wait to try this luscious soup - I bet it is fantastic. Happy Mother's Day Chris!
I adore fresh corn and can't wait until the produce bins are overflowing! I use that microwave method often so, SO easy!! Your soup looks divine and I am drooling over the cup and saucer too!
As soon as the fresh corn is ready I will be making this soup. It looks delicious. Love receiving your recipes.
Thanks Sandiie, enjoy!!
I love all the fun new ceramics you're using!! And I'm definitely envious of your fresh corn! As soon as I can find some, I'll definitely be trying your marvelous soup!! Happy Mother's Day weekend, my friend!!! xo
Oh gosh, Scott was sure right, this soup is definitely blog-ready ~ that topping just makes it for me! Happy Mother's Day Chris <3
It is the most beautiful soup I have ever seen. I love the smell of fresh corn, too! Hope you have a great weekend!
I LOVE soups and eat soup daily...save this to try! Beautiful soup bowls too, Chris.