Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder
This quick and delicious clam chowder is lighter in texture and consistency than other classic clam chowders. Perfect for a cold winter night.
Okay everyone, here is a fabulous recipe for a quick and easy clam chowder that I tried last week.
Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated, this was very easy to put together and was surprisingly delicious.
Not thick enough in my book for bread bowls, it was perfect with served with a crusty roll and my husband, who is a self-proclaimed clam chowder afficionado, declared it a “make-again.” That’s pretty high praise.
I actually loved the fact that it seemed a bit lighter in texture and consistency (not heavy and glue-y) than other clam chowders I’ve made.
The bacon adds great smokiness and flavor and is perfect paired with the silkiness of the cream.
My only advice is don’t oversalt the soup – the bacon and clams add just the right amount of salt without being too overpowering!
What To Serve With This:
Cornbread Muffins or Cornbread and Fluffy Honey Butter
Broiled or griddled cheese quesadillas (for a fancier quesadilla these Crispy Cheese Wraps)
Fresh, seasonal fruit
Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 bottles (8-ounces each) clam juice
- 4 cans (6.5-ounces each) minced clams, drain and reserve clam juice
- 1 cup water
- 3 medium russet potatoes, about 1 1/2 pounds, scrubbed and diced medium
- 2 large bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fry bacon in medium saucepan (I used a medium enameled dutch oven) over medium-low heat until fat renders and bacon crisps, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion to bacon; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add flour; stir until lightly colored, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in bottled clam juice, reserved clam juice from clams, and water.
- Add potatoes, bay leaves, and thyme; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 6 minutes (don’t overcook the potatoes or they will become mushy after adding the cream and bringing to a simmer!).
- Add clams, cream, parsley, and salt and ground pepper to taste (be careful not to oversalt!); bring to simmer.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
18 Comments on “Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder”
Delicious soup on a cold fall day. I like clam chowder but sometimes the thickness of it is a bit much. I loved the brothiness of this. Thank you
Yum yum yum! Made this for supper tonight and it’s spool delicious! I know this is a 2 yr old post but I could not help but comment on the yumminess!
Sorry no baby yet! I was actually just thinking of you, as my friend just had her baby over-due. Here’s hoping baby comes soon and everything goes well! (BTW, I hope your hubby cooks for you for a while after you have the baby!) Oh, and soup looks yummy. 😉
Hey Mel. I was extremely skeptical about the clam chowder. I’m not a big soup fan, but Kylie has wanted to make it since you posted, and I finally acquiesced. Honestly, it was delicious. I really, really liked it. I liked it even though she substituted turkey bacon and light cream. I liked it even though we used shady looking off-brand clams that were a little sandy. Although I pouted when Kylie told me what was for dinner, I even admitted-and I’m not prone to admit anything-to her that I thought it was wonderful.
Happy birth! Congratulations!
I can’t believe you are still cooking!!! 🙂 You are amazing. Good luck and keep us posted!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE a good clam chowder and this looks great!
This looks so good! I am loving the addition of bacon!
This sounds delicious – perfect for cold Utah winter nights!
First of all, congratulations ! I just wanted to let you know I blogged about you ! I made your clam chowder recipe last night, and it was divine ! Thank you so much for posting this recipe !!
That chowder looks great.
So sorry he’s taking his own sweet time. My first baby was two weeks late and it was torture! Crossing my fingers that he comes soon. Thanks for posting a yummy recipe in the meantime!
Queen B. – I just commented on your blog. So many of your recipes look great! Anyway, your enthusiasm is always so fun – thanks for commenting and letting me know this was a hit!
Nate – you make me laugh, like always. Glad Kylie forced you to eat this and that you liked it. Stop pouting when she makes you dinner!
I love clam chowder and have yet to find my own recipe that I love–so I’ll for sure try this. Good luck on having your darling little nubbin! I’m sure you’re a pro by now :-). Thanks for still sharing in the midst of that end of pregnancy state (I know…it can get a little old…all those trips to the bathroom and no more sleep). Good luck!
i, for one, hate waiting. for anything. that being said, i hereby pass all my patience (what little there is) over to you while you wait. 🙂
All your new recipes look so yummy! And you are like supermom because most women would be laying on the couch all day right now, not fixing yummy dishes! Go girl! 🙂
This is the first time I have actually been sad to see a new recipe. I hope these last few days go quickly for you. The soup looks great and I can always use a new soup recipe this season! Good Luck!