Corn Chowder with Mussels

First, best believe that without the mussels, this corn chowder is the best vegan corn chowder you ever had. But then add in the mussels, and this is the best (and most unique) corn chowder you’ve EVER had, with an extra hit of spice and richness from the tinned fish we swirl on top. Tinned fish is having a moment, and a perfect pairing with a classic soup proves it.

Now let’s talk about this chowder. It starts with your typical potato and corn, but it is packed with aromatic spices, a hint of nutmeg, and some nutritional yeast to bring both a layer of salty richness and also act as a thickening agent. Known for its almost “cheesy” quality, here nutritional yeast actually adds an earthiness and a subtle saltiness that perfectly works with the sweetness of the corn. This chowder is one of those soups that keeps for days and has enough flavor in it to keep you interested. Read on for how to make this your next favorite corn chowder.

What is corn chowder typically made of?

Classic corn chowder is usually made with a béchamel or roux, this is where you cook down a fat with flour and then add in milk or broth to create a smooth and creamy base. Following the roux, corn and potatoes are usually the next layer of a corn chowder, both adding as another layer of thickener. This type of soup is designed to be very thick, and you can thank the ingredients for that.

This corn chowder is similar in the fact that it is corn-and-vegetable-forward, but I opt not to start with a roux, and to instead let the blended vegetables and thick oat milk work their magic. This not only saves time, but it saves ingredients and makes the soup a touch lighter, which is something I think we can all crave in a corn chowder recipe.

Ingredients for this corn chowder

Now that we’ve talked about the recipe, here is everything you’ll need for my version:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp each of dried rosemary, sage, thyme, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 medium russet potato, diced
• 2 ears corn, kernels removed from the cob
• 4 cups unflavored and unsweetened oat milk
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 4 oz. tin of canned mussels, packed in oil, I recommend Patagonia Provisions brand
• 2 tbsp chili oil, optional if your mussels are already packed in a flavored oil
• Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper as needed

How to make this corn chowder

• Put a high-sided sauté pan or dutch oven on medium heat. Add the oil and let it come to temperature. Add in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is softened and starting to become transluscent, around 4-5 minutes.
• Add in the garlic and spices. Season with salt and stir to combine. Cook another 2-3 minutes or until the garlic has softened and the spices are aromatic.
• Add in the potato and half of the corn kernels. Stir and cook in the oil for about 4-5 minutes.
• Pour in the oat milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in the nutritional yeast. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the potato is tender.
• Reduce the heat to low and use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it is mostly smooth. There’s a lot going on in there so don’t worry if there is still some texture in the mix! Season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Raise the heat back to medium, add in the remaining corn, and simmer another 7-10 minutes, or until the corn is cooked.

How to plate this corn chowder recipe

This recipe makes a large amount of chowder, so I recommend portioning only what you need before adding the mussels on top. First, ladle about 1 cup into each bowl (it’s a hearty soup, so that will feel like plenty!) and then adding the mussels right on top. Swirl with the olive oil from the mussel tin, as well as any chili oil you plan on using. Add some fresh cracked black pepper and enjoy!

FAQs

Looking for other easy, plant-based soups?

You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few other recent favorites, plus some classics from the blog!

And that’s everything for this corn chowder with mussels!

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