Easy New England Clam Chowder Recipe

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Rich and creamy New England clam chowder is easy to make right in your own kitchen! This classic comfort food is loaded with savory flavors and hearty ingredients that will make you feel like you’re dining by the seaside, even if you’re miles away from the shore.

I am a soup girl through and through, soup season is year-round for me. Crab soup, taco soup, clear soup, I love it all!

I don’t care if it’s the middle of the scorching hot Georgia summer, I’ll take a comforting bowl of soup any day, which is probably why I love this easy New England Clam Chowder recipe so much.

Unlike Rhode Island Clam Chowder which has a clear broth, or Manhattan clam chowder which has tomatoes, this classic New England clam chowder has a creamy broth full of flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

For some reason I always imagined growing up that clam chowder would be complicated to make but the first time I tried it I realized it isn’t! This restaurant-worthy clam chowder has such a rich flavor. From the crispy bacon to the tender clams potatoes and hearty potatoes, every spoonful is a comforting hug in a bowl. Plus, there is no need for fresh clams in this recipe, so grab a couple of cans of clams and get cooking!

Ingredients

While the ingredient list may seem long, these are all very simple ingredients.

• bacon – choose thick bacon like center cut bacon for this recipe
• veggies – onion and celery
• seasoning – garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper
• potatoes – russet potatoes have a great texture for soup and don’t turn out waxy
• chicken stock or chicken broth
• half and half or heavy cream – do not use low fat or whole milk for this recipe, we need real cream for the creamy broth
• all-purpose flour
• canned clams and clam juice –  these are usually found near the canned tuna in most grocery stores
• Oyster crackers for serving

Step by Step

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot, drain on paper towels, and crumble. Set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: To the bacon fat, add the chopped onion and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Simmer the Chowder: Add the cubed potatoes, water, clam juice, and chicken base to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Thicken the Chowder: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of half and half and flour until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the soup, return to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Add the Clams: Stir in the chopped clams and their juice, along with the remaining 1 cup of half and half. Heat through for about 1 minute.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the clam chowder into bowls, garnish each serving with the crumbled bacon and fresh chives or parsley, and serve with oyster crackers on the side. Dive in and savor every spoonful of this homemade delight!

Tips for best results

• Yukon Gold potatoes or red potatoes can be substituted for the russet potatoes
• Look for bottled clam juice in the canned section of your grocery store near the tuna.
• Be sure to use canned clams with their juices for maximum flavor, don’t drain them.
• For a thicker chowder allow it to simmer longer. To make a thinner chowder add additional chicken stock.

Serving suggestions

Wondering what to serve with clam chowder? This soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own. I like to add oyster crackers (use the leftovers to make ranch oyster crackers!) or a nice crusty bread for dipping in that thick soup!

Storage

Store leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, it tastes even better reheated the next day!

Freeze soup in a freezer-safe container (affiliate link) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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