Corn and Crab Chowder boasts corn fresh off the cob, lump crab meat and bit of heat (if you dare.) It’s creamy too…but, you’ll be surprised at the way this gluten-free and low-cal soup is prepared.
At first taste, corn and crab chowder is sweet. As the chowder lingers on your palate and you’re savoring the sweetness, the heat kicks in. Shazowee! You wonder if you can take it. But, you are drawn right back for another taste because it’s so addictive.
If you’ve ever tried Crispers’ Kickin Crab Chowder, you know just what I’m talking about. This recipe is inspired by too frequent visits to Crispers to get my chowder fix. Plus, my youngest dd wanted to try this soup and she has food allergies (dairy, soy, egg and peanuts.) Not to mention, if I could make it a bit healthier, then I could enjoy this delicious soup much more frequently. 🙂
A makeover was in order, so we could all sit down and enjoy a cup of delightful corn and crab chowder together…at home.
The secret to creamy, lower-calorie Corn and Crab Chowder is…
More corn. The soup is thickened with pureed corn and skim milk…or even rice milk…and it works fantastically. It has low-cal creaminess without heavy cream, flour, roux or even potatoes.
Fresh corn is best…but, frozen works too!
Fresh, sweet corn is absolutely my first choice for this chowder. If you go fresh, use this quick and easy method to microwave corn in its husk and easily remove the silky strands. But, defrosted, frozen corn works well too.
Not a fan of crab? It’s very tasty with chicken too!
I know…crab is a bit pricey and decadent. Got some leftover chicken? It’s delicious in this corn chowder.
Corn and Crab Chowder
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn kernels divided (approx. 6 ears of fresh corn, depending upon size)
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups low-sodium broth vegetable or chicken
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 4 ounces fresh lump crab meat shell pieces are removed
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Stir in olive oil.
- Add onion, celery and garlic to pot and saute for about 5 minutes or until soft.
- Add broth, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, sugar and 1 cup of corn.
- Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes more.
- While soup simmers, combine remaining 2 cups of corn and milk in a blender and process. Mixture should be fairly smooth, but some corn kernels may remain.
- Stir corn and milk mixture into soup mixture and simmer for about 5 minutes more.
- Add crab meat to chowder, being careful not to break apart large clumps.
- Simmer 3-5 minutes more.
- Ladle into bowls.
Nutrition
Renee
This chowder is at the top of my to-make list. Summer fresh corn with crab (love both of them immensely).
Katie
Ok…how genius to puree corn with skim milk to thicken the soup?!?! I love it! The sweet and spicy combo would definitely be a hit with me!
Constance Smith (@FoodieArmyWife)
Mmmm…..Crab is my favorite shellfish. Actually, crab is about the only shellfish I like, LOL This chowder looks fantastic!
Deanna Samaan
I love this! Crab and corn chowder is one my fav! I love that this is healthy!!!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog
This is so up my alley! I love chowders… and I love the skim milk instead of cream tip. Yum!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet)
I love a bit of kick in my soups…so this is perfect for me! I love soups year-round…especially seafood soups!
Family Foodie
Two of my favorite things roller into one recipe — this I can’t wait to try!
Courtney @ Neighborfood
What a great idea to thicken the soup with corn! And I love soups that have a little kick of heat at the end. This sounds great!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
This soup is perfect for summer. You gotta love crab and corn together. Pinned.
Run DMT
This looks OUTSTANDING! I love chowders!
Nini
I will be making this with leftover rotisserie chicken for dinner…thanks for a super Summer supper that I don’t have to heat the oven!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
I make a corn chowder in a similar way! It works so well!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
I love corn chowder and crab makes this even better!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
What an delicious looking soup! I an loving that you added crab to it. Just beautiful!
Heather // girlichef
I have never tried a corn and crab chowder, but I know I need to fix that soon – it looks and sounds like the perfect combination!
Shaina
Yum! This is one of my favorite kinds of soups…such great flavors!
Alida
This chowder looks so fresh and delicious…perfect for a light summer meal!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere
Brilliant! I’ve thickened my chowders with mashed potatoes, but never pureed corn. We’ll be doing this next time!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
Looks wonderful…I love these kind of chowders…it will be perfect for a rainy night this summer!
Julie
Can’t wait for corn to be in season, so I can make a huge batch of chowder!
The Food Hunter
Two of my favorite things
Paula - bell'alimento
Seriously one of my favorite chowdahs!
Amanda @the_kitcheneer
This chowder looks amazing! I love a lightened up version too! Thanks for the great idea!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
Last summer, I judged a crab contest and one of the dishes was a corn and crab chowder. It was so delish! Your recipe looks just as good, if not better! Must try!
Meredith in sock monkey slippers
corn soup is one of my faves in the summer!! delish!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds
Corn and crab chowder is one of my favorite foods!! This looks wonderful!
Ginny McMeans
Looks like a wonderful comfort food!
Samantha
Love corn in the summer. I’m so glad it’s coming back in season. Looks delicious!
[email protected]
What a great chowder! I love crab but like you said chicken would work too ad good to know you can use frozen corn as well!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
Yum yum yum! Crab and corn chowder is one of my very favorite soups!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I could enjoy this year round! yum!
Kim Beaulieu
This looks fantastic. My dad was a huge chowder guy, he would have loved this.
Connie | URBAN BAKES
Mmm Yum. It’s been awhile since I had a soup chowder. I need to fix that because your soup is making me really hungry for some.
Nutmeg Nanny
My husband is a huge chowder fan and would go crazy over this…yum!
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
LOVE that you thickened this chowder with MORE CORN! I don’t think I could get enough of this. Crab and corn? Hand me a spoon, I’m digging in!
Coleen @ The Redhead Baker
This reminds me so much of the homemade soup my late grandfather used to make. Looks delicious!
Susan
Well I can’t resist a good corn chowder and then to add crab? Top top notch!