Easy Clam Chowder
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Clam chowder is easier (and much better) to make right at home! So unbelievably creamy, flavorful and chockfull of clams!
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why i love homemade clam chowder
- Cozy soup season vibes, perfect for fall and blustery winter nights
- Restaurant-quality, if not even better
- Pantry-friendly recipe using canned clams (more on that below)
- Quick, weeknight hero made in 30 min or less
new england clam chowder vs. manhattan clam chowder
New England Clam Chowder
New England is a thick and creamy white soup, typically made with milk or cream.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Manhattan is a tomato-rich red soup without milk or cream, and typically includes more vegetables than New England.
why use canned clams in clam chowder
- Convenience
- Budget-friendly and economical
- Extra flavor, especially when using the juices
- Abundance of clams
which potatoes are best for clam chowder
A lot of recipes recommend waxy potatoes such as Yukon gold or baby red potatoes because they will hold up well in soups. Instead, I opted for russet potatoes here – they are naturally very starchy, ideal for creating a thicker, chowder-like consistency.
tips and tricks for success
- Use the reserved juices. The juices from the canned clams add all the extra, deep clam flavor.
- Simmer, simmer, simmer. The longer it simmers, the more it thickens, making it perfect to cook until the desired consistency is reached.
- Make it clammier. For those wanting extra clam flavor, add an additional can of chopped clams.
- Serve with crusty bread. Serve with all the homemade crusty bread for dipping, sopping and dunking!
what to serve with clam chowder
Tools For This Recipe
Dutch oven
Easy Clam Chowder: Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Substitute 1 – 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh clams along with bottled clam juice to replace the juice from the can. Chopped fresh clams will need additional cook time to cook through.
Yes! Always thaw properly, adding at the end of cooking as they are already precooked.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
We do not recommend freezing this as cream-based soups tend to separate when frozen.
Easy Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams, juices reserved
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup half and half*
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon excess fat in the stockpot.
- Melt butter in the stockpot. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, vegetable stock, clam juice and bay leaf, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in potatoes.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12-15 minutes.*
- Stir in half and half and clams until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. If the soup is too thick, add more half and half as needed until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately, garnished with bacon and parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
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I concer with Katherine, you have the best website. Everything tastes as good as it looks. If I’m deciding between recipes/websites, I will always choose yours. Thank you, thank you, from someone who has a very busy schedule, a family, works and loves to cook homemade.
Some good 35 years ago, at a young age and on my own, I found myself scraping the bottom of the barrel to eat. How it came about that I had clams, I don’t know. But I did. That, and some potatoes and milk, with seasoning gave me the most simple clam chowder. I’d never had it before, but my simple, bare bones recipe was mighty tasty (or I was just that hungry). This brings more to the table, but the basics are where it is at. Been a fan of clam chowder from that point on.
This sounds sooooo good!! Can’t wait to make it!
Can you use almond or coconut milk. Allergic to all dairy.
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
I replaced it with almond milk and gleten free all purpose flour, everyone loved it!!
I’ve been on the hunt for a clam chowder thatsbquick and easy to make that doesn’t involve opening up a can… My fiancé is from Massachusetts and is constantly asking me to find a recipe. I love to cook… Hate the tedious process that most clam chowder recipes ask for. So I’m super excited to try this one! I use your website for almost every meal I make, I love the simplicity and my son has loved everything. So you at my trustworthy go to. Plus everything tastes better than most websites, and its half the time.
I’ve always wondered about 1/2 and 1/2. If it’s Equal parts milk & cream, why is the substitution not 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup cream?
It becomes a little bit complex when you factor in percentages of fat – you can read more about it here.
The article says half and half “is a simple blend of equal parts whole milk and light cream” which still doesn’t explain the substitution of 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream…
Sarah, again, you must consider the fat content. You can certainly substitute equal parts milk and cream but I’ve found that it’s best with 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup heavy cream for a richer, creamier taste. You can read more about it here. There are also many available resources online for additional information.
Don’t over-think things. Just add dairy to your liking.
Debra, I agree with you…… where I might use “heavy” whipping cream in mine….. just saying…. Steve
Totally agree, such a simple thing and there is always 1 or 2 making a simple situation complicated.
It explains it perfectly. “Light cream” is not the same thing as “heavy cream”.
Maybe I missed it, but why is 1T of the bacon fat reserved?
1T of bacon fat is reserved in the Dutch oven to bring in a little bacon flavor into the soup when cooking the garlic and onion.
Yes. That step was left out. I always put it in with the butter.
Well why is the recipe not adjusted?? Don’t put out recipes that are wrong!!!!
Wow really?!
So funny. It’s soup!!! Just glad I don’t work with these people. Pretty sure the bacon must go in the soup.
P L E A S E ! Hey over it, she said she forgot!
While the comment was given a bit rudely, she does have a point. I almost didn’t notice the missed step, had to go looking in the comments to find it. Is this something the OP could adjust, editing her recipe so that others don’t miss it? Sooo looking forward to dinner tonight!
shut up lol
“Chill”…or eat some soup.
Everything is so much better when you can make it yourself! This soup sounds just perfect!
Is there a particular reason you chose russet potatoes? Recipe sounds and looks delicious. Thank you.
Elizabeth, please feel free to use any kind of potatoes, but it is best to dice them small to ensure a short cooking time.
This is such a great meal – everyone loves it!
There’s nothing bacon can’t make better! This looks so so tasty!