5 from 87 votes
Ultimate Clam Chowder
Ultimate Clam Chowder is a creamy, hearty soup featuring diced bacon, aromatic vegetables, potatoes, clams, and a rich dairy-based broth. The soup develops a thick texture from a butter and flour roux combined with heavy cream and milk. Flavored with garlic, celery, carrot, and a splash of red wine vinegar, this chowder balances smoky, savory, and slightly tangy notes, ideal for those craving a comforting seafood soup with tender clam pieces.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
10
servings
Calories:
434 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Bacon diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 celery diced, stalks
- 2 carrot diced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper coarse ground
- 3 minced clams 6.5 ounce cans
- 2 yukon potatoes diced
- 2 cups clam juice 16 ounces
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups milk whole
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Add the bacon to a large dutch oven over medium heat and cook until crisp, remove and leave fat behind then add in the onion, garlic, celery, carrots, salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes before adding in the juice from all the cans of clams, the clam juice and the potatoes and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes until the carrots and potatoes are tender.
- In a medium saucepan add the butter and flour whisking together for a minute to cook out the raw flour taste before whisking in the heavy cream and whole milk until smooth then pour it into the pot with the vegetables and warm (do not let this boil).
- Just before servings add in the clams and red wine vinegar and garnish with the crumbled bacon.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use kosher salt to season evenly and coarse ground black pepper for a mild spicy note.
- Cook bacon until crisp to render flavorful fat but prevent burning for optimal base flavor.
- Do not let the chowder boil after adding cream to maintain a smooth texture and prevent curdling.
- A splash of red wine vinegar at the end brightens the flavor and balances the creaminess.
- Clicking on times in the instructions can start kitchen timers to aid cooking accuracy.
Nutrition Information
Calories
434kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
21g
(7%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
21g
(105%)
Cholesterol
112mg
(37%)
Sodium
826mg
(34%)
Potassium
377mg
(8%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
3330IU
(67%)
Vitamin C
7.7mg
(9%)
Calcium
114mg
(11%)
Iron
1.7mg
(9%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 434
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 434kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Cholesterol | 112mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 826mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 377mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 3330IU | 67% |
| Vitamin C | 7.7mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 114mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.