This creamy corn and roasted poblano soup is a hearty soup made with roasted poblano peppers, fresh corn (or frozen!), potatoes, and a handful of veggies and pantry staples. It’s easy to whip up, perfect for summer or winter, and will be one of your favorite soups in no time! 

What Makes This Recipe Great

I love a good soup even in the summer and this Creamy Roasted Poblano Soup Recipe can take you into the Fall too if you use frozen corn. If you get good fresh summer corn, cut the kernels off the cobs, cut the cobs into thirds or fourths, and boil them in water. Presto! You have corn stock for free (you can use this instead of vegetable broth or chicken broth!). 

I loved going to clam shacks on Long Island in the summer and getting New England clam chowder (sometimes in a bread bowl!) This is a vegetarian take on a summer chowder.  Feel free to add leftover shredded chicken or some cooked pinto beans. If it’s hot out, allow the soup to cool to room temp!

Ingredient Notes

• fresh poblano peppers: Can substitute canned chopped green chiles. 

• unsalted butter or plant butter

• yellow onion

• celery stalks

• garlic cloves

• Yukon gold potatoes

• ears of sweet corn: Frozen corn kernels will also work. You can use regular corn or sweet corn, depending on your preference. If making this in the colder months of soup season, you’ll need to use frozen corn as fresh corn isn’t in season. 

• chicken stock, vegetable stock, or corn stock

• sea salt

• bay leaves

• ground cumin

• dried oregano

• cashew milk: Or unsweetened/unflavored soy milk, or heavy cream

• black pepper

• optional: lime wedges for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Roast the chiles: If you have a gas stove, you can place the chiles directly over the open flame until all of the skin is blistered. Otherwise, you can roast them on a grill or under a broiler. Just make sure they get blackened all over. After they’re charred, place the roasted poblano peppers on a plate to allow them to cool a bit. Use your fingers or a dampened paper towel to peel off the blistered skin. Cut them open, remove and discard the stem and seeds. Do not rinse them or else you’ll be removing some of their flavor. Roughly chop the chiles and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a 5 to 6-quart heavy-bottomed pot (large soup pot or Dutch oven) over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onions and the celery, and stir to coat with the butter. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions and celery are softened and are beginning to brown.
3. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more. Add the potatoes and the stock to the pot. Add the bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until the potatoes are just cooked through.
4. Add the corn kernels to the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until cooked through. Add the chopped roasted poblanos to the pot.
5. Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the cashew milk. Add black pepper and additional salt, more or less to taste. At this point, if you want a thicker base for your soup, you can use an immersion blender or regular blender to purée up to a third of the soup.
6. To serve, squeeze a little lime juice on top of each bowl.

Recipe Tips

• Frozen corn kernels will also work. You can use regular corn or sweet corn, depending on your preference. If making this in the colder months of soup season, you’ll need to use frozen corn as fresh corn isn’t in season. 

• Optional add-ins and toppings that go well with this soup: Toppings such as pepper jack cheese, sour cream, green onions, hot sauce, crispy tortilla strips, and fresh cilantro. Add-ins such as black beans, leftover chicken, or rotisserie chicken (you can also cook fresh chicken thighs or chicken breasts, shred, and add at the very end). 

Serving & Storage Tips

Serve this creamy soup topped with a little lime juice and any other toppings you like! You can stir in shredded chicken and black beans as well if desired. 

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. As it sits, the flavors meld and taste even better the next day! Store any toppings and garnish separately. Reheat on the stovetop for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.  

More Soup Recipes

• How to Make Caldo Tlalpeno 
• Easy Salmorejo Recipe
• Red Lentil Tortilla Soup
• Lasagna Soup Recipe
• Green Gazpacho Recipe

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