Looking for a warm and cozy dinner soup that’s budget-friendly, low-calorie, and delicious? This Canned Corn Soup with Ham is the answer! It combines the sweetness of corn with savory ham in a creamy broth, creating a simple yet satisfying soup that the whole family will love.
I don’t know about you, but lately I have been feeling like dinner time is a constant game of Chopped. What do I have in the fridge/freezer/pantry that can come together to make a meal? With the price of groceries literally through the roof, I have been trying to be extra frugal for meals. After a quick inventory of my canned goods revealed a ton of sweet corn kernels, I knew I had to base my meal around corn.
I had the basics of milk, butter, and tons of spices on hand but I didn’t have any meats that were defrosted–only the ham steak I was supoosed to use in an omelet. I put my thinking cap on and knew a hearty soup would be the best bet for my wallet, and the chilly winter weather outside. Corn soup with ham it was–and boy, did my quick concoction prove to be a winner that paired well with the half loaf of frozen Italian bread in the freezer that I toasted up.
If you too are looking for a creative way to turn your canned corn into something a bit more upscale, you have to try this tasty corn soup recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Canned Corn: The star of the show! The corn kernels offer sweetness which gets enhanced by cooking them on the stovetop. Cream-style corn can also be used for a smoother, thicker base- do not drain.
Milk: Provides a lighter creaminess to the soup.
Cooked Ham (diced): Adds protein and a salty, savory element that balances the sweetness of the corn. The ham contributes a smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste profile of the soup. It also provides a satisfying bite and heartiness.
Onion (diced): The aromatic foundation of the soup. Sautéed onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor, creating a savory base upon which the other flavors are built. It acts as a subtle but crucial background note.
Butter: Used for sautéing the onion, ham, and remaining corn kernels. It adds a richer, more traditional flavor.
Italian Herbs: An earthy herb combo that complements the sweet corn and savory ham. It adds a subtle complexity and warmth to the soup, tying the other flavors together.
Salt, Pepper, onion, and garlic powders: These just make this soup tastier–not going to lie..haha!
Making Corn Soup
Get the full recipe in the printable card below & enjoy this low-fat soup idea!
Sauté Corn & Blend: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook drained corn kernels for 5 minutes to remove excess liquid. Reserve some kernels for later. Blend ¾ of the remaining corn with milk until smooth.
Sauté: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened (5-7 minutes). Add ham, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder; cook until ham is browned (2-3 minutes).
Combine & Simmer: Add the corn puree and the onion/ham mixture to a Dutch oven. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Serve: Ladle into bowls, top with reserved corn kernels, ham, onion, and Italian seasoning, and enjoy!
FAQS
- Can I use fresh corn instead of canned? Yes, you can! You’ll need about 4 cups of fresh corn kernels. Cook them slightly before adding them to the soup.
- Can I use frozen corn? Absolutely! Frozen corn works just as well as canned just be sure to cook according to the package instructions and drain off excess liquid.
- Can I make this soup vegetarian? Yes, simply omit the ham and use almond milk instead of whole milk.
- How do I thicken the soup? If you want a thicker consistency, you can create a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold milk. Stir this into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
- How do I thin the soup if it’s too thick? Add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- What kind of ham should I use? You can use any cooked ham you like, such as ham steak, leftover ham from a holiday, or even deli ham. Diced ham steaks are the cheapest.
- Can I substitute bacon or sausage for the ham? Yes, both bacon and sausage make delicious substitutes for ham. Cook them before adding them to the soup.
How to Store Corn Soup
- How long does the soup last in the refrigerator? Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Can I freeze this soup? Yes, you can freeze it. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- How do I reheat the soup? Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Corn Recipes to Try Today!
Budget-Friendly Corn Soup with Ham (Delicious & Cheap!)
Equipment
- Stovetop
- Measuring cups and spoons
- cutting board and knife
- large skillet
- blender
- 5-quart Dutch oven
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 15.25 cans of sweet whole kernel corn drained
- 4½ cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces ham steak chopped
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian herbs seasoning
Instructions
- Add drained corn kernels to the large skillet and cook off excess liquid; about 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Put ¾ of the kernels of corn into the blender along with the whole milk and blend until smooth and pureed; about 30 seconds.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chopped ham and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the ham is lightly browned. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder during this time.
- Add the pureed soup to a Dutch oven, and pour in the seasoned onion, ham, corn mixture. Add additional salt and pepper if needed*.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Laddle out soup portions into balls and serve with Italian seasoning on top. Enjoy!
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