I can’t lie: I’m a sucker for a good pun. My sense of humor vacillates between dad jokes and caustic wit, but I can never resist a solid groaner. That brings me to the obvious need to turn crowder beans into chowder. The moment I started cooking with them, I knew that Crowder Chowder was inevitable, if only for the irresistible name.

Don’t worry, it’s more than just a fun rhyme. As with any proper chowder, the base is thick and creamy, making for a hearty bowl-in-one type of meal. Packed with potatoes and sweet corn, the crowder beans contribute an earthy meatiness, to say nothing of all their protein and fiber, without a single clam in sight.

Plenty of chowder recipes employ beans, especially white beans for their fairly neutral flavor, so it’s not like I’m breaking any new ground here. Crowder peas, however, may take some eaters by surprise this unconventional setting. Since they usually show up in straightforward company, simmered with onions, maybe a hunk of cornbread nearby, seeing them in more composed recipes could turn some heads. Lack of mainstream recognition further limits their range, unfairly, if you ask me. Anything white beans can do, the humble field pea can do, too.

Fully validated by the success of this experiment inspired by word play, Crowder Chowder is exactly the sort of recipe that makes a terrible pun feel justified. The name might make you roll your eyes at first, but one spoonful quickly changes the tone of the conversation. Sometimes the best ideas just sound silly on paper.

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Yield: Makes 6 - 8 Servings

Crowder Chowder

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Crowder peas, potatoes, and corn come together in a thick, cozy chowder that’s equal parts comfort food and dad joke payoff. Creamy without being heavy and packed with savory depth, it’s a hearty bowl-in-one meal that proves crowder peas were destined for chowder all along.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Yellow Onion, Diced
• 2 Stalks Celery, Diced
• 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
• 1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Pound Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled and Diced
• 3 Cups Cooked Crowder Peas
• 2 Cups Corn Kernels, Fresh or Frozen
• 4 Cups Vegetable Stock
• 1 Cup Plain, Unsweetened Dairy-Free Milk
• 3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
• 2 - 3 Scallions, Thinly Sliced

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, onion, and celery, Sauté until soften and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring well to incorporate. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the garlic is lightly browned and aromatic.
   
2. Add the potatoes, crowder peas, and corn. Pour in the vegetable stock, stirring to combine. The vegetables should all be completely submerged in the liquid. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 - 20, until the potatoes are fork-tender
   
3. In a small dish, whisk together the non-dairy milk, flour, and nutritional yeast. Make sure there are no lumps before pouring the slurry into the pot. Stir gently to incorporate and cook for another 5 minutes, uncovered, until thickened.
   
4. Ladle into bowls and top with scallions. Enjoy hot!
   

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Frontier Natural Products, Organic Ground Smoked Paprika, 16 oz (453 g)
• 
  KAL, Nutritional, Yeast Flakes, Unsweetened, 12 oz (340 g)
• 
  Field Peas

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 550mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 10gSugar: 11gProtein: 13g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.