Wild Rice And Ham Chowder
A hearty and creamy wild rice and ham chowder packed with tender vegetables, smoky ham, and savory herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 3 minced garlic cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 cup margarine or butter ⓘ
- 4 cups water ⓘ
- 4 teaspoons chicken bouillon ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 17 ounces can corn with juice ⓘ
- 2 cups half and half milk ⓘ
- 1 pound cooked ham, cubed ⓘ
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water and wild rice.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer 35 to 40 minutes or until rice is tender. Do not drain.
- Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off.
- In a large saucepot or Dutch oven, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in margarine or butter until tender-crisp.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually stir in 4 cups water and chicken bouillon until well combined.
- Add peeled and cubed potatoes, chopped carrots, thyme leaves, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Add the can of corn with juice.
- Cover and simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir in cooked ham, milk, and cooked rice. Remove bay leaf.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using a mix of heavy cream and half and half instead of just half and half. If wild rice isn't available, substitute with brown rice, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. To enhance the flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of hot sauce. For a vegetarian option, replace ham with smoked tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken bouillon.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chowder hot, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh touch. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a more filling option, consider serving it alongside Millie's Good Stuff for a hearty dinner that satisfies.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess. If the chowder thickens too much, adjust the consistency with additional liquid while reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wild Rice And Ham Chowder contains roughly 1373 calories, with 40g protein, 251g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (180% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (147% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1317mg per serving (57% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover rice instead of uncooked wild rice?
Yes, you can use cooked wild rice, but adjust the liquid accordingly. Add the cooked rice during the last 10 minutes of simmering to heat through without overcooking it.
What can I substitute for half and half?
If you don't have half and half, you can substitute it with a combination of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. This will provide a similar richness and creaminess to the chowder.
How can I make this chowder gluten-free?
To make the chowder gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. Make sure to check all other ingredients for gluten content, especially the chicken bouillon.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).