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Corn Soup

Published July 8, 2025

Corn Soup
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
25 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(275)
Comments
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This simple corn soup tastes like sweet, buttery popcorn, though its richness comes more from the corn than the half-and-half. Blended silky smooth and studded with whole kernels for texture, this soup is an excellent canvas for almost anything. Serve as recommended with a sprinkle of minced chives, or round out the sweetness by adding minced tarragon instead. A dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema, a sprinkle of cayenne and a squeeze of lime will drum up the flavor of Mexican street corn. Bulk it up by serving whatever roasted protein or vegetables you're craving in a pool of it.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4cups corn kernels, divided (from 6 ears or two 10-ounce bags frozen corn, thawed)
  • 2cups vegetable or chicken broth (or corn broth, see Tip)
  • ¼cup half-and-half
  • Kosher salt
  • Chopped chives, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

304 calories; 14 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 669 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium. Once the butter has melted, add 3 cups corn kernels (set the remaining cup of corn aside) and cook, stirring occasionally, until some of the corn starts to brown, about 10 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    In a blender, combine cooked corn, broth, half-and-half and 1 teaspoon salt. Blend for 1 minute on high.

  3. Step 3

    Return the pot to medium heat, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and add the remaining 1 cup corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add blended mixture to pot and heat to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to incorporate any caramelized bits, then remove from heat. Taste for salt.

  4. Step 4

    To serve, ladle into bowls and top with chopped chives.

Tips
  • If using fresh corn, use the leftover cobs to make corn stock. In a pot, cover the cobs with water and simmer with a pinch of salt and your choice of herbs and aromatics (peppercorns, tarragon, parsley, garlic for example), uncovered, for 30 minutes. Strain and use as directed.
  • Canned corn will work here (you’ll need 4 cups, from three 15-ounce cans), but does not need to be cooked in step 1. Instead, proceed directly to blending 3 cups of the corn as described in step 2, skipping the first tablespoon of butter.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
275 user ratings
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Comments

I have made this delicious "velvet corn soup" many times using canned creamed corn. I thicken the broth with 1 Tbs of corn starch, dissolved in 1/4 C of chicken broth, and finally, I stir 1 slightly beaten egg white into the boiling soup. It is very velvety and is not fattening. No butter, no 1/2 and 1/2.

@Joyce G. I use an immersion blender for all the puréed soups I make. Just make sure the blender is below the soup line and don’t lift it up when running! I find it helpful to position the pot in the sink so that I’m not having to lift my arms when blending.

Why don't you try it cold? If you don't like it, put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

I'm always looking for soup that doesn't call for garlic or onions (which a family member can't eat), so I'm really grateful for this delicious, easy recipe. I omitted the chives and added a little cayenne and the juice of half a lime.

Made it as written except I included riced cauliflower at the beginning, and added a drained & rinsed can of cannellini beans to the blender. Came out delicious, and nobody noticed the extra nutrition that blended in seamlessly to the velvety smooth soup. Quick & easy, will make again!

Very nice soup! I did add 1/2 medium onion, chopped, sauteed until translucent before adding corn kernels. I then added chicken broth and simmered before pureeing in the VitaMix. I then added half and half to taste and body, then added the whole reserved kernels. Will make this again!

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