Thick, rich and creamy, this slow-cooker fish chowder is full of tender potatoes, sweet kernels of corn and a mixture of smoked salmon and flaky white cod. Serve the chowder with corn muffins or thick slices of crusty sourdough bread. If your slow cooker doesn’t have a flameproof insert, use a large sauté pan for the first step, then transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker insert after you deglaze the pan.
Slow-Cooker Fish Chowder with Potatoes and Corn
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 lb. (1 kg) Yukon gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces
- 4 cups (32 fl. oz./1 l) low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (4 fl. oz./125 ml) dry white wine
- Kosher salt
- 2 lb. (1 kg) thick white fish fillets such as cod or halibut, cut into 1 1/4-inch (3-cm) chunks
- 1/2 lb. (250 g) hot-smoked salmon, skinned and broken into bite-size chunks
- 1 1/2 cups (9 oz./280 g) frozen white corn
- 3/4 cup (6 fl. oz./180 ml) heavy cream
- 1 bunch fresh chives, chopped (optional)
Directions
1. Put the slow-cooker insert on the stove top over medium heat, then add the bacon and fry until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a small bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the insert and return the insert to medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits from the insert bottom with a wooden spoon, until softened, about 3 minutes. Return the bacon to the insert.
2. Transfer the insert to the slow cooker, add the potatoes, broth, wine, and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir to mix well. Cover and cook on the low-heat setting for 4 hours. The potatoes should be tender.
3. Uncover, add the white fish, salmon, corn, and cream, and stir to mix well. Re-cover and cook on the low-heat setting for 1 hour. The white fish should be opaque throughout. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt.
4. Ladle into individual bowls, garnish with chives, and serve immediately. Serves 8.
Learn to make the most of your slow cooker with this and other inspiring recipes in our Quick Slow Cooking, by Kim Laidlaw.






9 comments
DO NOT PUT YOUR SLOW COOKER INSERT ON THE STOVE. IT WILL CRACK EVEN ON LOW. I followed the directions even though you are not supposed to put the slow cooker insert on a cooktop and it busted.
Oh, so sorry your insert was damaged! Some slow cooker inserts, primarily those made from aluminum, are safe for the stovetop. Ceramic inserts are not designed for stovetop cooking and may crack. Always check your slow cooker user manual before placing your insert over heat.
It’s delicious, I’ll try it tonight
thanks author. It’s very useful
Wow, it looks great. Definitely delicious, Thanks the author
I just tried this and my insert cracked over the stove top, unfortunately.
In fact no matter if someone doesn’t know after that
its up to other viewers that they will help,
so here it happens.
YUM! My Husband and I love anything seafood! We got to try this fish chowder! Might make it today.
Looks good. I think I will try it.