Hearty and cozy Vegan Corn Chowder, with potatoes and sweet corn. It’s super creamy, flavorful and easy to make with 9 ingredients and 30 minutes!
Cozy up to a big bowl of this Vegan Corn Chowder, with plenty of tender potatoes and sweet corn. Comfort food at it’s finest! No one will believe it’s dairy free. This chowder is ultra creamy, thick and rich.
You can use fresh or frozen corn, making this a great year round chowder! The best part: It only calls for 9 ingredients and takes just 30 minutes or less to make. Serve with a side salad for a delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.
How do you make vegan corn chowder thick and creamy?
Since there is no dairy involved, the creaminess of the chowder comes from both potatoes and raw cashews. After you simmer the potatoes, corn and other ingredients, blend a cup of raw cashews with a few cups of the soup (plus nutritional yeast), then return it back to the pot. Stir and you will have a super creamy corn chowder!
SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR FULL INGREDIENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
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I do recommend a high powered blender such as a Vitamix to blend the cashews. It is my #1 most used kitchen appliance, and I’m not sure I could live without it!
Here is the creamy mixture (cashews + soup + nutritional yeast) in action:
Allergic to cashews?
If you have a nut allergy, don’t worry! You can leave them out if needed and the soup will still be quite creamy and delicious. You can either make the soup as directed, and then use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup, or throw a few cups of it in a blender and blend then add back to the pot.
You could also substitute raw slivered almonds for the cashews. But the potatoes will make the soup quite creamy by themselves, so it’s okay if you can’t have nuts.
Want more vegan soup recipes?
- Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Easy Vegan Potato Soup
- Super Creamy Cauliflower Kale Soup
- Everyday Vegan Lentil Soup
- Vegan Black Bean Soup
Consider making a batch of smoky baked tempeh bacon to crumble on the top of each bowl. Enjoy!
Vegan Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped small
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups corn, fresh or frozen
- 2 pounds yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped | about 4 medium potatoes
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2-1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, saute the onion in the olive oil for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 1 more minute.
- Now pour in the vegetable broth, smoked paprika, corn and potatoes. Stir. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
- To a blender, add the cashews, nutritional yeast and 2 cups of the soup. Blend until very smooth, then add back to the pot and stir. Add salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Consider serving corn chowder with a sprinkling of crumbled tempeh bacon. So good.
- Allergic to cashews? Try raw slivered almonds, or just leave them out completely. The soup will still be quite creamy from the potatoes, and you can use an immersion blender directly in the pot, or blend a few cups of the soup and add it back to the pot.
- There is no need to soak the cashews, because the soup will be so hot it will help them blend.
Emily
Oh my goodness! This is so amazing that I burned my tongue eating it. Before I was vegan I would buy the chunky brand of chicken corn chowder flavor canned soup and this completely reminded me of that, minus the chicken of course. I substituted the broth for “no chicken” better than bouillon paste with water. Delicious!
Nora
So glad it was good!
Charlotte
Hi there! I have no nutritional yeast here in France… Can it be replaced by something else? Thank you very much !!
Nora
You can leave it out, it will still be great!
Christine
This was an instant favorite! Thank you!
Nora
You’re welcome!
Donna
My family loves this chowder! Have made it several times and gave the recipe to a friend, whose family also loved it. Delicious!
Nora
I’m so glad to hear that!
Jennifer McCook
I am blown away at how rich and creamy this soup is! The only change I made was I chopped up two medium carrots in lieu of the red bell pepper. Absolutely delicious!
Nora
So glad you enjoyed it!
Catherine Thornton
Delicious as written! The suggestion to add some crumbled tempeh bacon on top was a good one – my meat-eating husband even approved!
Nora
Thank you! I agree, tempeh bacon on top is delicious!
karin
This recipe is simple but amazing. I made it for co-workers–vegans as well as meat-eaters. They thought it was superb. This is definitely my go-to meal. I’ve made it several times. A huge hit.
I modified the recipe with a 1/2 cup of Almond milk(didn’t have any raw almonds or cashews) and a spat of vegan butter. Added some chopped organic carrots. I use Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn. Yum!
Nora
Thanks for the great comment! I’m glad it’s a big hit.
moe
did not have corn used pea’s instead still good
Patricia M Bell
This was a good recipe. I will definitely make it again. I added a few tweaks for additional flavor. I added some onion and garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning. I also substituted the coconut milk as suggested in place of the cashews. Everyone that tried it liked it.
courtney tassey
DELICIOUS! SO CREAMY AND FILLING. THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE.
Nora
Thank you so much!
Jess
Excellent recipe! I used a poblano pepper and half the nutritional yeast. It was absolutely delicious. Thank you sooo much 🙂
Lisa Gardner
Hi. I will be making this tomorrow for dinner. Quick question. Are the cashews soaked prior to adding?
Nora
If you have a high powered blender there is no need to soak them, as the soup will be so hot. I find it unnecessary. However you may want to soak them first if you are using a normal blender. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the soup!
Lisa Gardner
Just made it. It’s excellent. I used regular paprika. I only like smoked in BBQ. Did not soak cashews as I have a Vitamix. Thank you for the info!
Nora
Can you add coconut cream to make this creamy?
Nora
Yes, you could omit the cashews and use a can of full fat coconut milk for creaminess instead. Thanks!
Sonia
When you say add two cups of soup to the blender , is it just the broth or potatoes and corn included?
Nora
Potatoes and corn included. I just scoop 2 cups of the soup including the broth and vegetables. Hope that helps!
Cheryl
Yummy! Made your smokey bacon to go with it.
Natalie
Just made this and it is DELISH! Love all your recipes.. the stuffed shells are to die for.
Ali
So simple, filling, and scrumptious!! Thank you. Will be making this regularly.