5.0 from 186 votes
New England Clam Chowder Recipe
This classic, creamy homemade New England Clam Chowder recipe is the real deal! Packed with tender clams, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked potatoes in a rich, creamy broth, it's the kind of comfort food that'll make you want to lick the bowl clean. It's a knock out recipe that's easy to make with either canned or fresh clams and tastes even better than a restaurant!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 604 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Appetizer , Soup
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Bacon diced (use salt pork for more traditional flavor)
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 6 celery stalks finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups clam juice from 4 8-oz bottles or reserved from steaming clams (instructions below)
- 2 cups water
- 1 large sprig thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 pounds red skin potatoes diced
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups clams, finely chopped from 3 6.5 ounce cans or about 6 lbs of fresh clams in-shell
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Fresh chives or parsley minced, optional
- kosher salt only as needed
- crusty bread optional, for serving
Instructions
Make the Chowder (with fresh or canned clams)
How to Prepare Fresh Clams for Chowder
Notes
- To avoid rubbery clams, make sure they're finely chopped and don't add them until the very end of cooking.
- Clams are very salty, but it can vary. Give your soup a taste before adding any salt. Too salty? Add more water or cream to balance it out.
- Warm your bowls in a low oven or microwave before serving for a restaurant quality presentation!
Nutrition Information
Calories
604kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
51g
(17%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
41g
(63%)
Saturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
0.04g
Cholesterol
108mg
(36%)
Sodium
815mg
(34%)
Potassium
1010mg
(29%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
1450IU
(29%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
93mg
(9%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 604
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 604kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 51g | 17% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 815mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 1010mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 1450IU | 29% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 93mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.