Creamy Shrimp Soup with Corn and Bacon Recipe

Indulgent Creamy Shrimp Soup with Corn and Bacon Recipe

Steaming bowls of this creamy shrimp soup with corn and bacon invite comfort on chilly evenings.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a luxurious dining experience.

Succulent shrimp swim alongside sweet corn kernels in a rich, velvety broth.

Crispy bacon bits add a smoky crunch that elevates every spoonful.

The soup promises a delightful balance of flavors and textures that dance across your palate.

Each ingredient tells a story of warmth and satisfaction.

Prepare to savor a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup Top Features

  • Dive into a soul-warming soup packed with creamy textures and rich flavors that hugs your taste buds like a cozy blanket.
  • Whip up this delectable meal in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality dinner without complicated techniques.
  • Enjoy a balanced meal featuring succulent shrimp, crispy bacon, and hearty vegetables that deliver satisfying nutrition in every spoonful.
  • Impress family and friends with a versatile recipe that appeals to seafood lovers and comfort food enthusiasts alike, making mealtime a delightful experience.

Ingredients for Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

Protein:
  • Shrimp: Fresh seafood that adds a delicate and tender texture to the soup.
  • Bacon: Crispy meat that provides a smoky and rich flavor to the base of the soup.
Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onion, Celery, Garlic: Classic aromatic ingredients that build a deep and savory flavor profile.
  • Potatoes: Starchy vegetable that adds heartiness and helps thicken the soup.
  • Corn Kernels, Cream Corn: Sweet corn varieties that contribute natural sweetness and creamy texture.
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Broth: Provides the liquid base and additional depth of flavor to the soup.
  • Milk: Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth, rich consistency.
  • Bay Leaf, Thyme, Parsley: Herbs that enhance the overall flavor and provide a fresh aromatic touch.
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend that brings zesty and slightly spicy notes to the shrimp.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create a smooth texture.

Equipment for Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

  • Dutch oven: Large, heavy pot perfect for browning bacon and building soup layers.
  • Sharp knife: Essential for chopping onions, garlic, celery, and parsley.
  • Cutting board: Sturdy surface for prepping ingredients safely.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and scraping delicious browned bits from pot bottom.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Ladle: Helps serve soup smoothly and neatly.

Making Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

Step 1: Crisp Up Bacon

Grab a Dutch oven and sizzle the bacon until it turns golden and crispy.

Toss in diced onions and let them dance around until they become soft and translucent.

Sprinkle minced garlic and let it become fragrant for just a quick moment.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Foundation

Dust the bacon and onion mixture with flour, stirring constantly for about a minute.

Gently pour in the broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.

Step 3: Introduce Hearty Vegetables

Tumble in:
  • Chopped celery
  • Diced potatoes
  • Bay leaf
  • Fresh thyme
  • Cream corn

Let everything simmer and mingle for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes become wonderfully tender.

Step 4: Incorporate Creamy Elements

Fold in:
  • Corn kernels
  • Milk

Reduce heat and let the mixture softly bubble for 5 minutes, allowing the corn to become perfectly tender-crisp.

Step 5: Add Seafood and Finish

Dust shrimp with Old Bay seasoning.

Slide the shrimp into the soup and cook until they turn beautifully opaque.

Sprinkle fresh parsley and do a final taste test for seasoning.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Tips for Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

  • Render bacon until just crispy to infuse deep smoky flavor without burning, creating a rich base for the soup.
  • Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better texture and even cooking, cutting them into uniform small cubes.
  • Use Old Bay sparingly on shrimp to enhance seafood flavor without overwhelming other ingredients, adjusting salt carefully.
  • Add milk and cream gradually to prevent curdling, stirring constantly to maintain smooth, silky soup consistency.
  • Cook shrimp precisely 4 minutes to keep them tender and prevent rubbery texture, removing from heat immediately when opaque.

Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup Variations

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour to thicken the soup, ensuring a safe option for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute milk and cream with coconut milk or almond milk, maintaining the creamy texture while catering to dairy-free diets.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Swap shrimp with plant-based protein like smoked tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of traditional broth for a meat-free option.
  • Low-Carb Twist: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets and use fewer corn kernels to reduce carbohydrate content, making it suitable for ketogenic dietary needs.

How to Serve Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

  • Hearty Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this creamy shrimp soup as the star of a cozy family meal, paired with warm crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
  • Seafood Feast Companion: Complement the soup with a light mixed green salad topped with citrus vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture and add a fresh contrast.
  • Elegant Appetizer Option: Present small portions in decorative soup cups or shot glasses as an impressive starter for dinner parties, garnished with a crispy bacon bit and fresh parsley sprinkle.
  • Comfort Food Upgrade: Transform leftovers into a delightful lunch by adding extra corn kernels and a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese on top for enhanced flavor and texture.

Storage Tips for Creamy Shrimp Corn Soup

  • Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep shrimp soup separate from other foods to prevent flavor transfer.
  • Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing soup with potatoes, as they might become mushy when thawed.
  • Place soup in microwave-safe bowl, cover with microwave-safe lid. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.

FAQs

  • What type of seasoning works best for the shrimp?

Old Bay seasoning is recommended for this recipe, providing a classic seafood flavor that complements the shrimp perfectly and adds a subtle spicy kick to the soup.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding to the soup to prevent excess water from diluting the soup’s creamy texture.

  • Is this soup considered a complete meal?

This creamy shrimp soup is quite hearty, with protein from shrimp and bacon, vegetables like potatoes and corn, and a rich, satisfying base that makes it substantial enough to serve as a main course.

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Creamy Shrimp Soup with Corn and Bacon Recipe

Creamy Shrimp Soup with Corn and Bacon Recipe


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4.9 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comforting shrimp soup with corn and bacon delivers a hearty southern coastal embrace. Rich seafood and smoky bacon create a perfect harmony of flavors that delights diners seeking warmth and satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 can (8.25 oz) cream-style corn
  • 1.5 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup whole milk, cream, or half-and-half
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced

Aromatic Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 1/2 large onion, finely diced
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 celery rib, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Seasonings and Thickeners:

  • 2 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Old Bay seasoning to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Render bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp and golden, developing rich flavor. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté diced onions in bacon drippings for 4-5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic oils.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to create a roux and eliminate raw flour taste. Gradually pour in broth, whisking to prevent lumps and scrape up flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Incorporate celery, diced potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme into the liquid. Add cream corn and simmer at medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become tender and vegetables are soft.
  5. Stir in fresh corn kernels and milk, reducing heat to low. Gently simmer for 4-5 minutes until corn reaches tender-crisp texture.
  6. Season shrimp with Old Bay seasoning. Carefully add to the simmering soup and cook for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn opaque and are just cooked through.
  7. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle chopped parsley and crumbled bacon over the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Bacon Crispiness Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and richer flavor in the soup.
  • Shrimp Perfection Choose medium-sized shrimp to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the soup suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.
  • Vegetarian Transformation Swap shrimp and bacon with plant-based protein like smoked tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth for a meat-free version.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Food Educator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipe development, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and workshop facilitation, Content writing with a focus on healthy living​

Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts, Mt. San Jacinto College, CA
Focus: Comprehensive culinary training with an emphasis on sustainable cooking practices.

Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living, Cornell University (Online Program)
Focus: Understanding the principles of nutrition to create balanced and health-conscious recipes.


Clara lives where fresh ideas and fresh ingredients meet. She pairs her culinary know-how with her passion for healthy, planet-friendly cooking.
For Clara, good food should taste great, nourish your body, and feel easy to make. Her recipes highlight whole foods, colorful produce, and a deep respect for seasonal eating.

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