Sweet Corn Soup is a light and flavorful soup made with fresh American sweet corn, scallions, herbs and spices. You can use fresh or canned corn to make it. Serve it hot for a light lunch or dinner.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Brunch, Starters
  • Cuisine: Indo Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet corn cob (- large sized)
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons water (- for blending corn)
  • 1.5 tablespoon oil ((sunflower oil or olive oil) or butter)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped spring onion whites ((scallions) or shallots or onions)
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped celery (- optional)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper (or add as per taste)
  • salt (as required)
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch ((corn flour))
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 to 3 pinches crushed black pepper (- optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped spring onion greens ((scallion greens) - optional)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley (or coriander (cilantro) - optional)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives (- optional)

Method

Steaming Corn

  1. I always make this soup with fresh corn cobs. But you can use fresh or frozen corn kernels. If you plan to use canned corn kernels, then move to the step where the corn is blended to a paste.
  2. You have the option of cooking the corn cobs in a pan, Instant Pot or a stove top pressure cooker. I list here the method of steaming corn in a pot.
  3. Heat 1.5 cups water in a saucepan or pot and let it come to a boil on medium heat.
  4. Place a steamer pan or rack inside.
  5. Halve or quarter the corn cob and place them on the steamer pan.
  6. Cover the saucepan with a lid and steam the sweet corn cobs for 8 to 10 minutes on medium heat.
  7. When done remove the corn cobs with the help of pasta tongs and transfer them in a bowl or plate. Let them become warm or cool at right temperature.
  8. With a knife carefully remove the corn kernels from the corn cobs. Take out 2 tablespoons of corn kernels and set them aside.

Making sweet corn paste

  1. In a blender add the remaining steamed corn kernels.
  2. Add water and blend to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Making corn soup

  1. Heat oil in a pan. On low heat sauté the spring onions whites and celery for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the ground and blended sweet corn paste and mix well.
  3. Next add water or vegetable stock. Mix again and allow the soup to come to a boil on medium-low to medium heat.
  4. Now add 2 tablespoons of corn kernels that was set aside earlier. Also season with crushed black pepper and salt. Stir and simmer further for 2 to 3 minutes on low heat.
  5. Meanwhile in a small bowl make a smooth paste or slurry of the cornstarch and water.
  6. Keeping the heat to a low, add this cornstarch paste to the simmering soup.
  7. As soon as you add cornstarch paste, mix it quickly so that it does not start to thicken and form lumps. Mix it with the entire soup mixture. You can use a wired whisk here to mix the cornstarch paste with soup.
  8. Continue to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes on low heat until the soup thickens and the cornstarch gets cooked.
  9. Check the seasonings and adjust if needed.
  10. Pour the sweet corn soup in bowls. Garnish with some chopped spring onions greens or parsley or chives. Add a touch of crushed black pepper.
  11. Enjoy the soup as or with a garlic bread or crusty bread.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.