Creamy New England-Style Clam Chowder
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
305 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Soup
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Cuisine
American
Creamy New England-Style Clam Chowder
Description
Creamy New England-Style Clam Chowder starts by crisping diced bacon in a large pot, then sautéing diced onion, celery, and sliced leeks in the rendered bacon fat. Flour dusts the vegetables to create a roux base. Diced red potatoes, chicken broth, clam juice, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce are added and simmered until potatoes soften.
Canned clams are stirred in along with half and half for a rich and creamy broth. The chowder is gently cooked until thickened and heated through, yielding a velvety soup with tender vegetables and smoky bacon accented by briny clams and a faint heat. Green onions garnish the finished dish.
This chowder works well as a warming meal starter or a main, often served with bread or crackers. Adjust thickness by simmering longer, mashing some potatoes, or adding cornstarch slurry. Substitute half and half with a mix of whole milk and heavy cream if preferred. Fresh clams steamed and chopped may be used instead of canned.
Ingredients
- 6 lices Bacon diced
- 1 cup yellow onion diced (about 1 medium onion)
- 1 cup celery diced (about 2 stalks)
- 1 cup leek sliced thinly (about 1 large leek
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups potato diced (about 1 lb, red
- 3 cups chicken broth reduced sodium or stock
- 3/4 cup clam juice bottled is fine
- 1/2 - 3/4 Tbsp thyme dried
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 bay leaves dried
- 1 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot sauce
- 2 - 3 cans (6.5 oz each) clams drained, chopped or minced
- 4 cups half and half
- green onion for garnish, optional, sliced
Instructions
Prepare
- You'll need a large pot to make this soup, I like to use my 7 quart dutch oven.
Crisp the bacon
- Heat a large pot over MED-LOW heat, then add bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon (or tongs) to a paper towel lined plate, reserving drippings in the pot.
Soften vegetables
- Increase heat to MED, then add onion, celery and leeks and sauté about 3-4 minutes, until soft. Add flour and stir to coat vegetables. Cook 1 minute, stirring often.
Add liquids and potatoes
- Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, clam juice, thyme, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and tabasco sauce. Stir well, then bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat and cover, simmering about 15 minutes or so, until potatoes are fork tender.
Add dairy and clams
- Add canned clams, and pour in half and half stirring well to combine.
- Cook over MED heat, stirring often, about 5 minutes, or until heated through and thickened to desired consistency.
Serve
- Taste, then add salt and pepper if needed. Serve topped with cooked bacon, oyster crackers, sliced green onions and enjoy!
Notes
- Half and half contributes creaminess; substitute with 2 1/2 cups whole milk plus 1 1/2 cups heavy cream if desired.
- Adjust chowder thickness by simmering longer, mashing some potatoes, or adding a cornstarch slurry (2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water).
- Thin the chowder by adding more half and half, chicken broth, or clam juice.
- To use fresh clams: steam 2 lbs littleneck or cherrystone clams in boiling water with garlic until they open, discard unopened ones, chop meat, and add 3/4 - 1 cup to the chowder.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 305 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 305kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 765mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 511mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 742IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 168mg | 17% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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