EcuadorianMedium · Hot
Coastal Corn and Shrimp Chowder
A bright Ecuadorian-style coastal chowder with slow-cooked tomato-onion broth, sweet corn and plump shrimp, finished with fresh lime and cilantro. Lighter than a traditional cream chowder but just as comforting.
Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Method
Sofrito Base
1
Heat olive-oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add yellow-onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until golden and very soft.
3
Stir in tomato and cook for 5 minutes until it breaks down into a rich, fragrant sauce.
Chowder Broth
4
Pour in chicken-broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
5
Add potato and cook for 10-12 minutes until tender but still holding their shape.
Coastal Seafood
6
Stir in corn and cook for 3 minutes until bright and tender.
7
Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and curled through.
Final Seasoning
8
Remove from heat. Squeeze lime juice generously over the chowder.
9
Stir in fresh cilantro off the heat.
10
Season with salt and black-pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -5
Calories
359
per serving
High in protein · 32gLow sugar · 12gLow saturated fat · 3g
Protein
32g
Carbs
40g
Fat
11g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
7g
Sugar
12g
Sodium
1274mg
Gluten FreePescatarianDairy Free OptionHeart HealthyDiabetes FriendlyLow Sodium OptionHigh ProteinBalanced MealLean Protein
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
3.3
per serving
ECarbonBEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
19m³
Land
43Pt
Runoff
0.9g P
shrimp drives 81% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
6
Sweet
5
Salty
6
Sour
3
Bitter
2
Spicy
Textures
CreamyTenderSilkyChunky
Aromas
TomatoHerbalCitrusEarthyGarlicky
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
StockpotCounter FootprintMedium
Techniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook shrimp until internal temperature reaches 145°F, they turn pink, and curl. The 2-3 minute cook time at gentle simmer should achieve safe doneness.
Cross Contamination
Shellfish allergen present. Use dedicated cutting boards and utensils for raw shrimp. Clean all prep surfaces, utensils, and hands thoroughly with hot soapy water after handling shrimp before touching other ingredients.
Storage
Contains milk and shellfish, both high-risk for bacterial growth. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight containers and consume within 2-3 days. Reheat to 165°F before serving.
High Risk Population
Shellfish and milk are high-risk allergens for immunocompromised individuals, elderly, young children, and pregnant women. Ensure thorough cooking and proper storage before serving to these populations.
Handling
Handle raw shrimp carefully. Add shrimp in final 2-3 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain texture. Avoid introducing raw shrimp to finished chowder or other cooked foods to prevent allergen cross-contact.
Pro Tips
Technique
Never rush the onion in your sofrito — let it go golden and soft for the full 8-10 minutes. That slow caramelization is where the broth's soul lives, and it cannot be rushed or substituted with shortcuts.
Substitution
If shrimp is hard to find, fresh cod cut into chunks works beautifully and stays true to Ecuadorian coastal traditions. The broth embraces any white fish willingly.
Time Saver
Make the sofrito a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. The flavors actually deepen overnight, and your chowder comes together in minutes when you're ready to cook.
From the chef
When I left Guayaquil for Madrid, I brought only my grandmother's slow-simmering sofrito technique and an unwavering belief that every good broth starts with patience. This chowder is my love letter to the Pacific coast — sweet corn swimming in a bright tomato-onion broth that my neighbors in Murcia now request every time the weather turns cool. The lime squeezed at the end is not optional, mi amigo; it is the breath of the sea that makes everything alive.
TagsChowderCoastalSeafoodLimeCilantroOne PotTomatoCornShrimpWeeknight Dinner
AllergensMilkShellfish
Source: generated · June 10, 2026