Pin It A creamy, hearty soup packed with tender clams, potatoes, and smoky bacon—a comforting classic from the Northeastern coast.
This chowder has been a family favorite for years and always brings back warm memories of seaside vacations.
Ingredients
- Seafood: 2 cups (about 16 oz) chopped clams (fresh or canned, drained and juice reserved)
- Vegetables: 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced, 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped, 2 celery stalks diced, 1 clove garlic minced
- Meats: 4 oz thick-cut bacon diced
- Dairy: 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream
- Liquids: 1 cup bottled clam juice (plus reserved juice from clams up to 2 cups total liquid)
- Pantry: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Garnish (optional): 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, Oyster crackers or crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat cook bacon until crisp Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside leaving drippings in the pot
- Step 2:
- Add butter to the pot Saute onion celery and garlic until softened about 5 minutes
- Step 3:
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux
- Step 4:
- Gradually whisk in clam juice (bottled plus reserved from clams) while scraping the bottom of the pot Add potatoes bay leaf and thyme Bring to a gentle simmer
- Step 5:
- Cover and cook until potatoes are tender about 12 15 minutes
- Step 6:
- Stir in clams milk and cream Simmer gently (do not boil) for 5 7 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened
- Step 7:
- Remove bay leaf Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Step 8:
- Ladle chowder into bowls Garnish with reserved bacon parsley and serve with oyster crackers or crusty bread
Pin It This chowder is perfect for cozy family dinners especially during cold weather when we gather around the table.
Required Tools
Large pot or Dutch oven Slotted spoon Ladle Chefs knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains shellfish dairy and gluten from flour and crackers bread Check canned clam labels for allergens Use gluten-free products if needed
Nutritional Information
Calories 390 Total Fat 22 g Carbohydrates 29 g Protein 17 g per serving
Pin It Serve with oyster crackers or fresh crusty bread for the perfect finish