Slow Cooker Amish-Style Sausage Chowder

This Slow Cooker Amish Sausage Chowder is the perfect example of “set-it-and-forget-it” comfort food. By placing the smoked sausage at the bottom, its rich flavor slowly infuses the potatoes and corn as everything cooks together. The result is a thick, hearty, and creamy soup that feels like it came straight from a cozy farmhouse kitchen, with very little prep time.

Slow Cooker Amish Sausage Chowder

Ingredients:
Smoked sausage (cut into ½-inch slices) — 1 lb
Peeled and diced potatoes — 3 cups
Frozen sweet corn — 2 cups
Low-sodium chicken broth — 3 cups
Half-and-half (or whole milk) — 1½ cups

How to Make Slow Cooker Amish Sausage Chowder:

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
Place the sliced smoked sausage in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.

Tip: If you have a few extra minutes, brown the sausage in a skillet first. This step isn’t required, but it adds deeper flavor to the final soup.

Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Sprinkle the sweet corn over the sausage, then add the diced potatoes on top.

Tip: Cut the potatoes into evenly sized ½-inch cubes so they cook evenly and become tender at the same time.

Step 3: Slow Cook
Pour the chicken broth over everything until the potatoes are mostly covered.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Make It Creamy
Once the potatoes are soft, stir in the half-and-half or milk. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—since the sausage is already salty, you may only need a little black pepper.

Step 5: Thicken the Chowder
Cover again and cook on HIGH for another 20–30 minutes. This final cooking time helps the potatoes release their starch and blend with the dairy, giving the chowder its thick, creamy texture. 🍲