Clam Chowder: A New England Classic (No Boston Accent Required!)

My go-to clam chowder recipe! Creamy, dreamy New England comfort food, ready in an hour. Featuring tender clams & savory bacon - a taste of the coast!

May 25, 2025
By Laura Tide.

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Alright, let’s dive into something truly comforting. Ever craved a hug in a bowl? This clam chowder recipe does the trick. It's creamy and dreamy, perfect for a chilly evening.

A Taste of the Coast: My Clam Chowder Recipe

This chowder soup has that classic New England vibe. Its origins are from way back. Think early settlers needing a hearty meal by the sea. It's simple food.

Honestly, it’s not tricky to make. It needs maybe an hour. Prep is quick. Cooking is relaxing. This clam chowder soup recipes crock pot recipe yields around 6 servings. Perfect for family.

Why You'll Love This Chowder

This is a bowl of goodness. Clams are a great source of protein. It helps with energy levels. Perfect for a weekend lunch. What makes it special? It's total comfort food.

Clam Chowder: A New England Classic (No Boston Accent Required!) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced (about 4 oz / 115g)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup / 150g)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup / 100g)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (16g)
• 2 cups clam juice (475ml)
• 2 cups chicken broth (475ml)
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (450g)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams, undrained (about 370g)
• 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30g)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving bacon fat in the pot.
• Add onion and celery to the pot with the bacon fat. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This creates a roux to thicken the chowder.
• Gradually whisk in clam juice and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Add diced potatoes, thyme, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
• Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• Stir in clams (with their juice), heavy cream, and butter. Heat through, but do not boil.
• Season with salt to taste. Garnish with crispy bacon and fresh parsley (optional). Serve hot.

Gather Your Ingredients: The Chowder Line-Up

First, you need the basics. bacon, onion, celery, and flour. then, clam juice and chicken broth for the base. yukon gold potatoes are key.

Clams are a must. heavy cream is the secret to richness.

The Secret Weapon: Yukon Golds

Potatoes are crucial for the base. do you want to use something like easy clam chowder recipe crock pots ? the recipe calls for about 1 pound (450g).

Yukon golds are the best! they add creamy texture.

Can You Say Bacon?

Four slices are needed. This adds smokiness. Bacon fat is liquid gold. It adds flavour. Don’t throw it away. Honestly, bacon makes everything better. It gives flavour to the recipe.

From Pot to Bowl: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, first cook the bacon. Set it aside. Saute the onion and celery. Make a roux with flour. Gradually add liquids. Simmer with potatoes.

The Clammy Finale

Add the clams, cream, and butter. Heat it all gently. Don't boil. Season and serve! Garnish with parsley. The perfect bowl of chowder recipes seafood .

Tips and Tricks

Don't overcook the clams. use yukon gold potatoes. don’t boil after adding cream. make it ahead of time. bacon fat is your friend! crockpot clam chowder slow cooker versions are okay if you do not like cooking on a pot.

Variations: Spice It Up!

Use smoked haddock. Go dairy-free with coconut milk. Add red pepper flakes. Don't have Yukon gold? Use russet. Want a crockpot clam chowder? Go for it! Experiment. Don’t like bacon? use pancetta!

Alright, what are you waiting for? let's get cooking. i know that with these crockpot new england clam chowder , or even slow cooker clam chowder variations, you will achieve a new twist to your recipes.

Alright, let’s dive into the heart of our amazing clam chowder recipe : the ingredients and gear! Honestly, getting the right stuff is half the battle.

Ingredients & Equipment: Get Ready to Rumble!

Main Ingredients: The Stars of Our Show!

Here's what you'll need to make this clam chowder recipe shine. It's easier than you think!

• Bacon: 4 slices, thick-cut and diced ( 115g / 4oz ). Look for good quality bacon. It needs a decent fat content and smoky aroma.
• Onion: 1 medium, yellow, diced ( 150g / 1 cup ). It should be firm. Avoid mushy ones.
• Celery: 2 stalks, diced ( 100g / 1 cup ). Make sure they are crisp and fresh.
• Flour: 2 tablespoons, all-purpose ( 16g ).
• Clam juice: 2 cups ( 475ml ). Good quality clam juice makes a big difference.
• Chicken broth: 2 cups ( 475ml ).
• Yukon gold potatoes: 1 pound, peeled and diced ( 450g ). Their creamy texture is perfect .
• Thyme: 1 teaspoon, dried.
• Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Cayenne pepper: Pinch (optional).
• Chopped clams: 2 cans ( 6.5oz each), undrained ( 370g ).
• Heavy cream: 1 cup ( 240ml ).
• Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons ( 30g ).
• Salt: To taste.
• Parsley: Fresh, chopped, for garnish (optional).

When choosing clams, check that they're from a reputable brand. this can really make or break the final taste of your clam chowder soup recipes! for me, i always try to look at the sodium content of them, as often canned clams are very salty.

Seasoning Notes: Flavor Power!

This is where the magic happens.

• Bacon, thyme, and pepper is the base spice dream team!
• A bay leaf (removed before serving) can add subtle depth.
• A tiny dash of hot sauce never hurts.
• Nutmeg is another fantastic option to use to get that extra subtle flavour.
• No thyme? Use oregano or savory!
• Honestly, a dash of paprika will do the trick.

Equipment Needed: Simple Tools for Success!

You do not need the whole kit and caboodle! Keep it simple.

• Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. A crockpot clam chowder slow cooker is also ideal for a hands-off Easy Clam Chowder Recipe Crock Pots version!
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Cutting board and knife.

If you want to make this chowder soup in a crockpot, you'll need to adapt the steps slightly, but it's totally doable! i use my crockpot for crockpot clam chowder for super easy crockpot new england clam chowder all the time.

I usually do this in the summer when it is super hot!. this allows me to not heat up the house.

It's all about having fun and creating something delicious. don't be afraid to experiment with the chowder recipes seafood is a family favorite.

After all, this chowder soup is just an outline. put your own twist on it! and if you are busy all the time then the crockpot clam chowder recipe crock pot is your thing!

Cooking up a Clam Chowder Masterpiece

Alright, let's dive into making the ultimate clam chowder. Honestly, a good clam chowder recipe is like finding gold. It is a comforting, hearty meal that is perfect for a cold day.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place Magic

Essential mise en place is a fancy way of saying "get your stuff together first". dice the onion, celery and potatoes.

Chop the bacon, too. open those clam cans! this way, everything is ready to rock when you are. time-saving organization is key, trust me.

Safety Reminder : When dicing potatoes, use a stable cutting board. Keep your fingers tucked away from the blade. Let's not have any kitchen mishaps, yeah?

Step-by-Step to Clam Chowder Bliss

1. Cook the bacon: In a Dutch oven, cook bacon until crispy. (Medium heat) . Remove bacon and reserve that delicious bacon fat.

2. Sauté the veggies: Add onion and celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened, about 5- 7 minutes .

3. Roux time: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the veggies. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. This thickens the chowder soup beautifully!

4. Liquids and potatoes: gradually whisk in 2 cups clam juice and 2 cups chicken broth. add diced 1 pound potatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of cayenne (if you're feeling brave).

5. Simmer and dream: Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender. That should be around 15- 20 minutes .

6. Clams and cream: Stir in 2 cans clams (undrained!), 1 cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons butter. Heat through but DO NOT boil.

7. Season and serve: season with salt to taste. garnish with bacon and parsley if you are feeling fancy. serve hot! this is much better than trying to make this clam chowder recipe crock pot .

Pro Tips for a Next-Level Chowder

Here are some tips to make your crockpot clam chowder slow cooker recipe even better.

• Don't overcook the clams . They get rubbery if you do. Add them last and gently heat them. Honestly, I made that mistake once and never again.

• Yukon Gold potatoes are your best friend for this clam chowder . They keep their shape well.

• Make-ahead option: Clam chowder often tastes better the next day. The flavours meld together. Make this easy clam chowder recipe crock pots

So, there you have it. a classic clam chowder that'll warm your soul and impress your mates. enjoy, love! this creamy delight is one of my favorite chowder recipes seafood dishes.

Give the crockpot new england clam chowder version a try and let me know what you think! alternatively you can make this slow cooker clam chowder if you want to spend less time making it.

Alright, so you've got the clam chowder recipe down! ace! now let's chat about how to make it even better.

These notes are all about taking your chowder soup game to the next level. honestly, it's all about the little things.

You know?

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions

Fancy plating? absolutely! ladle that creamy goodness into a sourdough bread bowl. garnish with crispy bacon bits and fresh parsley.

Looks proper posh, doesn't it? for sides, think crusty bread for dipping or maybe a simple salad. a nice cold beer works wonders too! the beauty of this clam chowder recipe crock pot is that it's pretty versatile, so feel free to pair it with your favourite things.

Storage Tips

If you have any leftovers (highly unlikely!), pop them in an airtight container. keep it in the fridge and you can have it up to three days.

Freezing is an option, but the texture might change a bit. when reheating, do it gently on the stove. stir it frequently to avoid scorching.

Variations

Wanna mix things up? of course, you do! for a gluten-free chowder recipes seafood , use gluten-free flour or cornstarch to thicken it.

If you are feeling a crockpot clam chowder slow cooker recipe you may want to check our related article. doing the dairy-free thing? coconut milk makes a great substitute for the cream.

For a seasonal twist, try adding roasted butternut squash in the autumn. delicious! you could even look at making it in a crockpot new england clam chowder .

Nutrition Basics

Okay, so, clam chowder is pretty hearty. it's got protein from the clams and bacon. carbs from the potatoes. and some healthy fats too, from the cream.

It's a good source of vitamins. however, it can be high in sodium. so, be mindful of that if you're watching your salt intake.

Think of it as a sometimes food. a proper treat!

So, there you have it! some extra tips to make your easy clam chowder recipe crock pots shine. don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own! most important? have fun.

And enjoy every single spoonful!