New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Few dishes capture coastal comfort like a steaming bowl of New England Clam Chowder. Creamy, savory, and brimming with tender clams, hearty potatoes, and smoky bacon, this classic soup delivers pure comfort in every spoonful. Whether you’re craving something cozy on a chilly evening or recreating a seaside favorite at home, this clam chowder is rich, satisfying, and easy to prepare — perfect for a wholesome dinner or a special weekend meal.

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 slicesbacon, chopped
• 1 mediumonion, finely diced
• 2 clovesgarlic, minced
• 3 mediumpotatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cupsbottled clam juice (or reserved from canned clams)
• 1 cupwater or seafood stock
• 2 (6.5 oz)cans chopped clams, with juice reserved
• 2 cupshalf-and-half or heavy cream
• 2 tbspbutter
• 2 tbspall-purpose flour
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1 tspfresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon:
   In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté aromatics:
   Add onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté until onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
3. Add potatoes and liquids:
   Stir in potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, clam juice, and water (or stock). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender—about 10–12 minutes.
4. Make the roux:
   In a small saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in 1 cup of the hot chowder liquid until thickened.
5. Combine and finish:
   Pour the roux mixture back into the chowder pot. Add the clams (with juice) and half-and-half. Simmer on low for 5 minutes—do not boil, or the dairy may curdle.
6. Season and serve:
   Stir in bacon, salt, and pepper. Remove bay leaf. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with oyster crackers or crusty bread.

Tips

• For extra richness, use heavy creaminstead of half-and-half.
• To make it healthier, substitute turkey baconand low-fat milk.
• Add a touch of smoked paprikaor celery salt for more flavor depth.