5 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
40 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 onion finely chopped, large
- 6 celery finely chopped, stalks
- 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 thyme sprig
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 pounds potato diced, red skin variety
- black pepper to taste, freshly cracked
- 1 ½ cups clam from 3 6.5 ounce cans or about 6 lbs of fresh clams in-shell, finely chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream
- chives minced, optional, fresh; or parsley
- kosher salt only as needed
- bread optional, for serving, crusty
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
(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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
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.