Best Clam Chowder Recipe (VIDEO)
Best Clam Chowder is easy to make “from scratch,” with creamy soup flavors that mingle together with bacon, clams–for the very best chowder!
I love the magic of soup season—-the comfort and ease of gathering ’round the table with family and friends! And BEST Clam Chowder always brings a little magic to the table! You’ve got to try my similar Best Seafood Chowder recipe, or a “tomato” spin, my Manhattan Clam Chowder soup.
Best Clam Chowder
Chowder is easy to make – a “by scratch” version that is creamy, flavorful with bacon, and chockfull of clams! Watch the video!
What do you add to clam chowder to make it better?
If it’s the condensed kind, add heavy cream and whole milk in equal parts. And then of course we say bacon and butter! But grab the printable recipe below!
Simple ingredients for chowder soup:
- Bacon + butter
- Celery + leeks + onions + garlic
- Red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes
- Broth (or stock)
- Salt, white pepper, thyme
- Flour
- Half-and-half
- Chopped clams
- Bay leaf
- Chopped fresh chives
- OPTIONAL to add clam juice (for a more clam flavor)
What do you serve with Clam Chowder?
Planning a soup meal is quite simple, especially serving my yummy chowder as the main dish, with a side of hot bread and a basic green salad with Best Thousand Island Dressing! Here’s a list of what to serve with a hot bowl of chowder.
- Bacon
- Oyster Crackers
- Salad
- Shrimp cocktail
- Bread
- Corn on the cob
- French fries
Make chowder from scratch
In the past, I’ve been intimidated to make this homemade soup, because I was afraid it wouldn’t be as tasty as a bowl that might be served at the beach, or at a really good restaurant. But this recipe is one of my favorites, and is one of the top easy recipes on my RE! Yay! :)
Oh, and we did make a few changes to the recipe, but don’t worry. Add more clam juice (optional) for a more intense clam flavor if you choose to.
How do you serve clam chowder?
You can also serve it on a big board, like below! Here’s the link to Epic Clam Chowder Dinner Board! Or, grab the link below to buy THE BIG BOARD (at the bottom). We love to set out the pot of soup in a braiser pan (low-line big pot).
What is the difference between Boston and New England clam chowder?
Well, New England and Boston Clam Chowder are really the same dish. What makes a chowder “different” is the broth that is used. For example, Rhode Island broth is clear, and Manhattan Style Clam Chowder has a red tomato broth. Boston is thick and creamy!
Is chowder better the next day?
Yes, it’s just as good the next day, if not better. So YES, you can make ahead of time for easy entertaining.
The flavors of this soup mingle together to make the tastiest leftovers. It will thicken as it stands overnight in the refrigerator so just whisk in a little milk or half-and-half before reheating.
How do you make Homemade Clam Chowder
Whatever the flavors, I say homemade is the best!
- In a Dutch oven, you cook bacon (for amazing flavor!) over medium heat until crisp.
- Then you saute celery, leek, and onion until tender, adding garlic. Eventually stirring in potatoes, broth, clam juice, salt, pepper and thyme.
- Boil and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Make the creamy sauce (soooo good).
- Stir in the clams and crispy bacon!
- Optional to add in more clam juice (a couple bottles) if you choose to.
It’s comforting, filling, and delicious, and it’s also the perfect “light” holiday meal.
The Big Board®
Friends, The Big Board® is here! Yes, I’ve partnered with JK Adams, the premier woodmaking company in Vermont, with my own line of RE boards!
- 20-inch round, maple
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- A board with a lip (or raised edged) so the food doesn’t fall off
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Thank you for your support, as we’ve sold out so many times already!
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More Chowder recipes to try:
Manhattan Clam Chowder (Simply Recipes) Slow Cooker New England Clam Chowder (Baked by Rachel). And friends, have you bought my new cookbook? Buy Big Boards for Families today! It’s “editor’s pick” on Amazon this month!
Get the Recipe:
Best Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 8 bacon strips, divided
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 leek, finely chopped (or 1 shallot)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3-4 small unpeeled potatoes (red potatoes or Yukon gold), cubed into 1/2-inch pieces (optional to peel)
- 2 cups broth, chicken or vegetable
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half-and-half, divided
- 3 cans 6-1/2 ounces each of chopped clams, undrained
- Bay leaf
- clam juice, optional, for more intense flavor
- Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish
Equipment
- Dutch Oven (I like this enameled version from Lodge)
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Add butter to the drippings (you can spoon out some of the drippings if you don’t want to ues that much); saute celery, leek, and onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, broth, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into the soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
- Stir in clams and juice and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Turn down to low heat; add the bay leaf. Cook for additional 2-3 minutes on low heat. Add in 4 strips of crumbled bacon.TIP: Optional to add in more clam juice in this step, if you choose a more clam flavor.
- Crumble the reserved 4 strips of bacon. Garnish chowder with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped chives or green onions thinly sliced.
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
This is my family’s new favorite Clam Chowder recipe! Absolutely delicious!! The only change to the recipe I made is I used heavy whipping cream ONLY because I misread the recipe. This recipe is definitely a keeper!! Thanks for sharing it.
So happy you love it, we do too! :)
Pure comfort food! Looks so delicious!
**********Can this be the most delicious Clam Chowder I ever ate, or made! It’s a 10+star recipe! Loved it! Husband said it was fabulous and his favorite soup. I did add more chicken broth, a carrot cut in small dice, used fresh, frozen clams and their juice, and used a bottle of Bar Harbor clam juice, and added 1-1/2 tps Tabasco Sauce. So YUMMY! Thank you Reluctant Entertainer! You created a very awesome Clam Chowder! You also have a nice website with great ideas! Love it!
What a great recipe for a thicker style Clam Chowder! This was so very delicious, easy to make and my husband said it was his favorite soup, that it was perfectly seasoned. I did add one peeled carrot cut into a small dice, a bit more chicken stock, used organic whole cream, used chopped frozen clams, and added 1-1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce at the end. Yummo! Thank you Reluctant Entertainer for sharing your recipes! So good!
I love clam chowder soup as does my family, and am excited to try this recipe. The last recipe I tried was okay. Hoping yours is far better. From the feedback you’ve been getting, I already have a great feeling this will be my go- to recipe for clam chowder!
Come back and let me know, Ann :)
I can’t wait to try this – so delicious!
My husband is not a soup person but he likes Clam Chowder so he asked me to make some. I’ve never made clam chowder but have done other “cream” base soups before so I figured I’d give it a try! Found this recipe and it looks YUM! I’m just finishing it up no for lunch on a cold winters day! here’s hoping hubby likes it, it looks and smells heavenly! ?
So glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe looks DIVINE! I can’t wait to try this!
This was amazing my sweetheart ate two large bowls and homemade biscuits and bonus grandson who eats nothings ate a whole bowl. Thank you for this amazing Recipe
YUM! Made this again for us and friends we hosted. This is still a keeper and repeater. Thank you! Blessing to you in the new year, Sandy!
It was so delicious! Added small scallops and a few shrimp and made it a seafood chowder. Hubby had 3 bowls! Definitely will make again
This was simply amazing! Thanks for the delicious recipe! My family loved it!
My husband told me I had to write a review for this clam chowder. He ate two large bowls. It’s truly the best clam chowder. He said he’s going to be spoiled in restaurants now because nothings going to top this chowder. Excellent recipe thank you.
Thanks for sharing Kim!
My son loves clam chowder, I will have to make this for him soon!
When I test a recipe that’s not my own, I always do my best to follow it to spec before I modify it. In this case, I didn’t use leeks cuz I didn’t have them. Other than that, everything else was available. This soup was absolutely divine! Next time, I will use the leeks, fresh time instead of dried, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup more chicken stock and I’ll throw in some fresh clams, too! This Will definitely be in the winter soup rotation!
Thanks for the 5-star Paula! :)
Love a bowl of clam chowder! This one looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it!
I made this soup for my nephews wedding reception, it was a real hit. This recipe is a definite keeper.
This is the first time I’ve ever made clam chowder. My picky husband said at least 4 times “this is good”! He ate 3 bowls of it. It was delicious! Definitely a keeper. Thank you!
Today was the perfect day for this soup! We love this! Definitely a fan! Very easy to do!
Surprisingly my kiddos love clam chowder! I’ll have to make this for them! They’ll be so pumped!
Amazing! Just like mom used to make!!
It’s snowing like crazy out right now! This Clam Chowder would be perfect for dinner!
Seriously, the best clam chowder I’ve ever eaten!
Clam chowder is my hhusband’s favorite soup! He’s going to be thrilled when I make this for him!
This chowder looks so creamy! I cannot wait to make it!