Hello Foodie, are you looking for a delicious and easy meal to warm up on a cozy night in? Look no further than these easy clam chowder recipes! Clam chowder is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a chilly evening. In this article, we’ll share some of the best and easiest clam chowder recipes that you can make at home.
1. Creamy New England Clam Chowder
If you’re looking for a classic clam chowder recipe, then you can’t go wrong with New England clam chowder. This recipe is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups canned clams, drained with juice reserved
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
To make this creamy New England clam chowder, start by cooking the chopped bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic until they are soft and translucent. Add the chicken broth and cubed potatoes to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Add the drained clams and reserved juice to the pot and stir to combine. Gradually stir in the heavy cream, and then add the crispy bacon back into the pot. Season the chowder with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
2. Manhattan Clam Chowder
If you prefer a tomato-based broth for your clam chowder, then Manhattan clam chowder is the recipe for you. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups canned clams, drained with juice reserved
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by cooking the bacon in a large pot until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the diced onion, celery, minced garlic, and red bell pepper until they are soft and translucent. Add the chicken broth and cubed potatoes to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Add the drained clams and reserved juice to the pot, along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and bay leaf. Stir to combine, and then let the mixture simmer until it thickens. Season the chowder with salt and pepper to taste, and then let it simmer for a few more minutes until the flavors have melded together.
3. Crockpot Clam Chowder
If you’re looking for a hands-off approach to making clam chowder, then this crockpot recipe is perfect for you. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups canned clams, drained with juice reserved
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
To make this easy crockpot clam chowder, start by cooking the chopped bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic until they are soft and translucent. Add the chicken broth and cubed potatoes to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil.
Transfer the mixture to a crockpot and add the drained clams and reserved juice. Stir to combine, and then cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Before serving, whisk together the half and half and cornstarch in a bowl, and then add the mixture to the crockpot. Let the chowder cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with the crispy bacon on top.
4. Vegan Clam Chowder
Yes, you read that right – a vegan clam chowder recipe! This recipe uses hearts of palm to mimic the texture of clams and delivers a similar flavor profile with the help of ingredients like seaweed and Old Bay seasoning. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 can hearts of palm, drained and chopped
- 2 sheets nori seaweed, torn into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by melting the vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent. Add the vegetable broth and cubed potatoes to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
Add the chopped hearts of palm, torn nori seaweed, and Old Bay seasoning to the pot and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsweetened almond milk and cornstarch until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot and stir to combine. Let the chowder cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
In Conclusion
There you have it, Foodie! Four delicious clam chowder recipes for you to try at home. Whether you’re a meat-eater or a vegan, there’s a recipe here for you. So grab a spoon and enjoy a cozy night in with a warm bowl of homemade clam chowder.
Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media and tag us in your posts. And be sure to check out our other recipes for more culinary inspiration!