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Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Copycat Panera Bread)

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No Panera nearby? No problem! Bring the Panera vibes to your kitchen with this easy and oh-so-delicious Panera Bread corn chowder recipe from their summer menu. Packed with Mexican flavors, this gluten-free corn chowder recipe is loaded with wholesome and nutritious ingredients.

There is a reason that Panera’s Corn Chowder is featured only in the summer months, light and creamy, full on flavor and taste—one of those great recipes you will have on repeat. 

Copycat Panera summer corn chowder.

Panera has reworked its menu, renaming its Summer Corn Chowder to Panera Mexican Street Corn Chowder, with roasted peppers and corn and a sprinkle of blue corn tortilla strips on top, it’s the same soup, and this is my take on it!

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll head straight there!

Why You Will Love this Panera Bread Corn Chowder Recipe

  • Easy: Chop the veggies; toss them to simmer on the stove top – EASY!
  • Summer Flavor: I love how this recipe uses veggies at their peak in the summer, resulting in the most complete and rich flavors.
  • Gluten-Free & Vegetarian: This recipe is gluten-free; a great vegetarian soup choice.
Panera bread corn chowder recipe in bowl with toppings and a spoon, for pinning.

Fresh Ingredients

  • Butter | Saute the veggies in melted butter. If preferred, cook the vegetables in oil instead.
  • Garlic and Onion | Create the base flavors of the chowder recipe with grated onion and a few minced or pressed garlic cloves.
  • Peppers | Add diced poblano peppers and red pepper for slight heat and a more complex flavor. If necessary, swap the poblano pepper for Anaheim pepper. Use green peppers, orange, red bell peppers, or your favorite combination.
  • Potatoes | Potatoes thicken this hearty soup and are traditional in chowder. Use grated or diced small red potatoes. Substitute with Yukon or peeled russet potatoes, if desired.
  • Cream | This creamy chowder needs basic heavy cream or half-and-half.
  • Salt and pepper | Season the corn chowder with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  • Seasonings  | Further season the creamy soup with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and turmeric powder.
  • Vegetable stock | Veggie stock adds great flavor and nutritional value to your soup!
  • Corn | Sweet corn kernels from cutting fresh corn from the cob, but frozen corn also works.
  • Lime | Fresh lime juice helps to highlight the creamy, savory, and sweet notes, don’t skip!
  • White wine vinegar | Adding a little acid to soups brings out the flavors and brightens the creamy base.
  • Tomatoes | For more summer flavor, add some diced Roma tomatoes.
  • Fresh cilantro | Finally, sprinkle some chopped cilantro for a fresh taste.

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Labeled Ingredients for Panera Bread Summer Corn Chowder.

Panera Mexican Street Corn Chowder

  • If desired, roast your poblano peppers, bell peppers and corn before using the the soup!

How to Make the Panera Bread Corn Chowder Recipe

Step 1 | Saute Veggies

First, melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Next, add grated or diced onion and poblano, and red peppers, and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic sautéing until fragrant, about a minute. 

Step 2 | Finish Soup

Now, stir in some salt, pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika, and add vegetable stock, corn kernels, grated potatoes, and cream. Bring the ingredients to a simmer over medium heat, and reduce to a simmer stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.

Why grate the potatoes for soup?

  • A trick I learned in catering years ago is that more starches are released by grating the potatoes, enabling the soup or sauce to thicken without flour or cornstarch. 

Step 3 | Add Garnish

Before serving, stir in the freshly squeezed lime juice, vinegar, tomatoes, and cilantro, reserving some for serving. 

Lastly, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Then, ladle the chowder into bowls, garnish, and serve!

How to cut corn off the cob without making a mess

If using fresh corn, clean all the silk off, and place the corn cob in the center of the bundt pan, cutting from the top down, allowing the corn to fall into the pan. This collects the corn and the starchy juices by shaving off the remaining kernels and bits on the corn cob. Or get an extra corn cob or two and add the kernels to a food processor, then drain to use the liquid.

Showing how to cut corn off the cobb without making a big mess.

Can’t get enough of Panera’s masterful soups? Good news! Have several more Panera Bread copycat recipes, like this 10 Vegetable SoupBroccoli Cheese Soup, and their Autumn Squash Soup.

Variations & Substitutions for Panera Summer Corn Chowder

  • Bacon Corn Chowder: Bacon goes so well with the sweet summer corn and creamy potato! So, if you’re a bacon fan, add freshly baked or fried bacon pieces for extra flavor.
  • Roasted corn chowder recipe: Roast your corn first or use frozen roasted corn.
  • Grate the potatoes and onions for a thicker consistency, or dice if you prefer potato chunks, or do a bit of both!
  • Add some chili powder or a kick of Chipotle for a light touch of heat.
  • Feel free to add rinsed and drained black beans to the soup and if desired, top with tortilla strips. 
  • Dairy-Free Summer Corn Chowder: Replace the cream with your favorite plant-based cream substitute, coconut milk would be lovely.
Spoonful of Panera Bread Corn Chowder recipe out of soup pot, to pin.
White Staub deep Dutch Oven 5 quart, tall.

My Favorite Soup Pot

  • Heavyweight enameled cast iron transfers and retains heat evenly.
  • Resistant to rust, chipping and cracking.
  • No seasoning is required.
  • Dozens of precisely placed bumps on the lid’s interior funnel evaporated juices directly back to food for moist, tender results.

Tips for Two

Use this recipe for meal prep! Storing the leftovers for a quick and easy lunch or dinner side dish later in the week, or use the button under ‘servings’ on the recipe card to reduce the measurements.

Bowl full of summer corn chowder, copycat Panera recipe in bowl with soup pot behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Panera Mexican Corn Chowder the same as Summer Corn Chowder?

Both recipes are variations of creamy corn chowder. However, Panera’s Mexican Corn Chowder is available throughout the year, while the summer variation is only offered during a single season. Also, Mexican corn chowder mimics the flavors of traditional Mexican street corn, known as elotes. Check out this Mexican Street Corn Rice to get familiar with the flavors.

What is one ingredient you will always find in a chowder?

Corn, of course, is always in corn chowder, but so are potatoes. They add starch to the chowder to thicken it and make the recipe a little heartier.

How do you thicken corn chowder?

The traditional way is by making a flour and butter roux, then adding your cream and broth which will then thicken the chowder. Or you can also make a cornstarch slurry with water, broth, and cornstarch. Mix the two and add it to the chowder for a thicker consistency. Another excellent option is to grate or blend extra potatoes and corn and stir the corn puree into the recipe.

What makes a soup chowder?

Soups can be lighter and thinner in consistency, while chowder always has a creamy texture and thicker consistency. 

Bowl of delicious summer corn chowder Panera Copycat recipe, with spoonful of soup.

Can you freeze corn chowder?

Yes! But here’s the scoop: dairy-based foods like chowder might separate during the freezing and thawing. Don’t worry, though; the flavor remains intact. Just stir it well with some extra cream when reheating, and voila! Alternatively, if you plan to freeze, simply add the cream after thawing for a perfectly creamy delight.

Dutch oven filled with fresh Summer Corn Chowder with wooden spoon for serving.

I thickened our gluten free corn chowder recipe using the natural starches in potatoes and corn versus a flour or cornstarch roux.

Best Dishes to Serve with Panera’s Corn Chowder

Soup and salad are also an excellent combination. So, try serving this gluten free corn chowder recipe with Chicken Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing, featuring Panera-style pickled red onions – YUM!

Fluffy biscuit with cinnamon honey butter melting onto small cutting board.

Easy Homemade Cream Biscuits Recipe (2-Ingredient)

Make these quick and easy biscuits that turn out tender, moist, and flaky with just TWO ingredients, perfect with your corn chowder.

Panera Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing.

Green Goddess Salad with Chicken (Panera Copycat)

Do your own “you pick two” and make this delicious Green Goddess Salad to serve with your corn chowder.

Best Desserts to Serve with Copycat Summer Corn Chowder

What better way to end this delicious Panera-inspired meal than with a tasty Panera scone, like this Orange Glazed Scone Recipe or easy Cinnamon Chip Scones?

Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe with giant cookie on cutting board with milk chocolate chips surrounding.

Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Let’s keep the copycat theme going, and serve a sweet treat after your healthy Panera Bread Corn Chowder with these chewy, Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Orange Scone copycat Panera recipe on plate with fork and slice of orange.

Orange Glazed Scone (Panera Copycat)

Panera Bread Orange Scone recipe, our tested, step-by-step orange scone recipe will guide you can recreate the same fluffy, citrus scones.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

For a quicker soup prep, chop all the veggies ahead of time and measure your seasonings and other ingredients.

Panera Bread Corn Chowder Recipe in a bowl, for pinning.

I hope you loved this Panera Bread Corn Chowder Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!

Panera bread summer corn chowder recipe, in a bowl topped with fresh tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Copycat Panera Bread)

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 7 votes
Bring the Panera vibes to your kitchen with this easy and oh-so-delicious Panera corn chowder recipe from their summer menu. Packed with Mexican flavors, this gluten-free corn chowder recipe is loaded with wholesome ingredients and is a nutritious soup the whole family will love.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 -8 servings
Calories 418 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¼ cup butter, or swap with oil
  • 1 medium onion, grated
  • 1 medium Poblano pepper, diced (or replace with Anaheim pepper)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced or pressed
  • 4 small red potatoes, grated or diced
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream, half and half, or coconut milk may be subbed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Pepper to taste
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 4 cups vegetable stock, or chicken stock
  • 4 cups sweet corn kernels, fresh*, or frozen
  • 1 medium lime, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Add grated onions and red peppers, saute 3-5 minutes, then add garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
  • Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika, and add vegetable stock, corn kernels, grated potatoes, and cream. Bring to a simmer, over medium heat, and reduce to a simmer stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
  • Before serving, stir in lime juice, vinegar, tomatoes, and cilantro, reserving some for serving.
  • Taste, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper if need be.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Storage Tips

Refrigerate Leftovers – First, allow the soup to cool. Then, add it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to five days. 
How to Freeze Panera Summer Corn Chowder | For extended storage, freeze the cooled chowder and transfer it to a freezer-safe container to keep for no longer than three months. You may need to add more stock and cream when reheating the recipe from frozen.
Variations & Substitutions 
  • Bacon Corn Chowder: Bacon goes so well with the sweet summer corn and creamy potato! So, if you’re a bacon fan, add freshly baked or fried bacon pieces for extra flavor.
  • Roasted corn chowder recipe: Roast your corn first or use frozen roasted corn.
  • Grate the potatoes and onions for a thicker consistency, or dice if you prefer potato chunks, or do a bit of both!
  • Add some chili powder or Chipotle powder for a little heat. 
  • Add drained and rinsed black beans to the soup, and if desired, top with tortilla strips. 
  • Dairy-Free Summer Corn Chowder: Replace the cream with your favorite plant-based substitute, such as coconut milk.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 418 kcal Carbohydrates: 35 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 31 g Saturated Fat: 19 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g Trans Fat: 0.3 g Cholesterol: 88 mg Sodium: 1334 mg Potassium: 596 mg Fiber: 5 g Sugar: 14 g Vitamin A: 10425 IU Vitamin C: 69 mg Calcium: 79 mg Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    wow this Corn Chowder Recipe was really creamy and full of corn flavour. i can’t wait for local corn season to make this again. It tasted great even with frozen

  2. 5 stars
    You had me at corn chowder. I love this recipe and all of the tasty ingredients. I added some crispy bacon to the top and gobbled it up. Family approved!