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Instant Pot Potato Chowder with Corn and Sausage

Creamy potatoes, spicy sausage, and sweet pops of corn make this easy Instant Pot potato chowder a great meal prep for weeknights!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dinner, Make-Ahead or Freezer Meals, Soup
Keyword: instant pot, soup
Servings: 4
Author: Ruthy Kirwan

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot
  • 1 7 QT Slow Cooker
  • 1 6 QT Pot with Lid

Ingredients

  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 6-8 red potatoes sliced in 1” cubes (about 2 lbs)
  • 2 cups corn kernels frozen, canned, or fresh
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth use concentrate if prepping for later
  • ⅛ teaspoons salt
  • 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 2 ⅔ tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup half and half
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Prep Ahead:

  • Chop the potatoes and onions and add to a large resealable bag or container, along with the corn, broth concentrate, salt, and sausage.
  • Shred the cheese, if needed, and store in a separate bag or container.

Prepare From Prepped:

    Instant Pot Instructions:

    • Add the bag of vegetables and broth to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set to High Pressure, 20 minutes, with quick pressure release.
    • After the soup has cooked, remove 2-3 tablespoons of liquid and combine in a small bowl with cornstarch, stirring to make a smooth slurry.
    • Add the slurry back into the pot, then stir in the half and half.
    • Serve the soup with shredded cheese on top, if desired.

    Slow Cooker Instructions:

    • Add the bag of vegetables and broth to the slow cooker and secure the lid.
    • Cook on low for 4 hours, high for 2 hours, until the potatoes are soft and falling apart and the sausage is cooked all the way through.
    • remove 2-3 tablespoons of liquid and combine in a small bowl with cornstarch, stirring to make a smooth slurry.
    • Add the slurry back into the pot, then stir in the half and half.
    • Serve the soup with shredded cheese on top, if desired.

    Stovetop Instructions (cornstarch not needed here)

    • Add the contents of the bag of vegetables and sausage, including broth, to a pan over medium heat.
    • Bring the contents of the pot to a rolling simmer.
    • Lower the heat and cook, 40-50 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked all the way through and starting to fall apart, and the sausage is cooked through.
    • Stir in the half and half and heat through.
    • Serve the soup with cheese on top, if desired.

    Make From Fresh:

      Instant Pot Instructions:

      • Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot except for the cornstarch and half and half. Secure the lid and set to High Pressure, 20 minutes, with quick pressure release.
      • After the soup has cooked, remove 2-3 tablespoons of liquid and combine in a small bowl with cornstarch, stirring to make a smooth slurry.
      • Add the slurry back into the pot, then stir in the half and half.
      • Serve the soup with shredded cheese on top, if desired.

      Slow Cooker Instructions:

      • Add all the ingredients except for the cornstarch and the half and half, and secure the lid. Cook on low for 4 hours, high for 2 hours, until the potatoes are soft and falling apart and the sausage is cooked all the way through.
      • remove 2-3 tablespoons of liquid and combine in a small bowl with cornstarch, stirring to make a smooth slurry.
      • Add the slurry back into the pot, then stir in the half and half.
      • Serve the soup with shredded cheese on top, if desired.

      Stovetop Instructions (cornstarch not needed here)

      • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat until shimmering, and then add the onions and cook until starting to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
      • Add the chopped potatoes, corn, broth, and salt and bring to a rolling simmer.
      • Turn the heat to low and cook, 40-50 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked all the way through and starting to fall apart, and the sausage is cooked through.
      • Stir in the half and half and heat through.
      • Serve the soup with cheese on top, if desired.