This New England clam chowder contains bacon, potatoes, clams and vegetables, all simmered in a creamy broth. A classic appetizer or main course option that’s hearty enough to satisfy the largest appetites!

My family always requests soup for dinner, and I’m happy to oblige by whipping up a pot of cheeseburger soup, taco soup or this rich and creamy traditional clam chowder.

Whenever I go to restaurants, if I see clam chowder on the menu I immediately order it. I’ve learned to make restaurant style New England clam chowder at home, and the end result is a perfectly creamy soup loaded with complex flavors.

How do you make New England clam chowder?

The first step in this recipe is to cook the bacon. After the bacon is done, remove it from the pan and saute some onions, celery and garlic. Add flour to the vegetables to thicken the soup base, then mix in clam juice, chicken broth, potatoes and seasonings. Let the soup simmer until the potatoes are tender, then stir in clams and heavy cream. Simmer the soup until it has thickened, then add the bacon and parsley and serve.

Tips for the perfect New England clam chowder

I use canned clams because they’re super convenient and give this soup great flavor. If you prefer to use fresh clams, you can use 36 cherry stone or little neck clams. Place the scrubbed clams in the pot after the potatoes are tender, and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the clams have opened up.
This soup stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this chowder because it has a high dairy content and could curdle when thawed.
Serve this soup as an appetizer with oyster crackers on top, or offer it as a main course option with garlic bread and a green salad on the side.

What is the best potato for clam chowder?

I prefer to use Russet potatoes in this chowder because they break down a bit when they cook, and therefore thicken the soup. Other great choices include diced red potatoes, fingerling potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes.

What is the difference between Manhattan and New England clam chowder?

Manhattan clam chowder has many of the same flavor components of the New England version, such as clams, clam juice, onion, celery, bacon and seasonings. The major difference between the two is that Manhattan chowder has a tomato based broth and more vegetables. New England chowder has a creamy soup base without any tomato products involved.

Chowder variations

This is a fairly traditional clam chowder recipe, but you can add other ingredients to customize this dish to your tastes.

Meat: Instead of bacon, try salt pork, pancetta or even diced cubed ham.
Vegetables: Try adding carrots, green bell peppers or corn to add more nutrition to the dish.
Seafood: You can turn this into a seafood chowder by adding shrimp, mussels, crab or fish.

In my opinion, this clam chowder is even better than what you’d get at a restaurant. It’s sure to please both adults and kids alike!

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