Best 9 Authentic New England Clam Chowder Recipes

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New England clam chowder is a classic American dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a creamy, hearty soup that is made with clams, potatoes, onions, and celery. The soup is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Some recipes also include bacon or salt pork. Clam chowder is a popular dish to serve at gatherings and special occasions. It can be served as an appetizer or a main course. There are many different recipes for New England clam chowder, but they all share a few basic ingredients and techniques. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for authentic New England clam chowder. We will also provide tips on how to make the perfect bowl of soup.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER I



New England Clam Chowder I image

Hot and hearty recipe that will warm you up on cold winter days.

Provided by Debbie2

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Seafood

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 slices bacon, diced
1 ½ cups chopped onion
1 ½ cups water
4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
3 cups half-and-half
3 tablespoons butter
2 (10 ounce) cans minced clams

Steps:

  • Place diced bacon in large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook until almost crisp; add onions, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in water and potatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.
  • Pour in half-and-half, and add butter. Drain clams, reserving clam liquid; stir clams and 1/2 of the clam liquid into the soup. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. Do not allow to boil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 395.8 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 101.4 mg, Fat 22.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 24.1 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 706.2 mg, Sugar 2 g

TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



Traditional New England Clam Chowder image

I left a cruise ship with a great souvenir...the recipe for this splendid chowder! It's a traditional soup that stands the test of time. -Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 55m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 fresh cherrystone clams
3 cups cold water
2 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion, chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Steps:

  • Tap clams; discard any that do not close. Place clams and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until clams open. , Remove meat from clams; chop meat and set aside. Strain liquid through a cheesecloth-lined colander; set aside., In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. Saute onion in drippings until tender., Return bacon to the pan; add clam meat and reserved liquid. Stir in the potatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender., Combine flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Gradually stir in cream; heat through (do not boil).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 175mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



New England Clam Chowder image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h5m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 dozen little neck or cherry stone clams, scrubbed
4 thick slices bacon, cut into lardons
1 large onions, cut into 1/4 inch dice
Kosher salt
11/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 bundle of thyme
2 bay leaves
1 to 2 shakes hot sauce, optional (recommended: Tabasco)
Extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Place the clams and 1 cup of water in a large pot. Cover and place over a high heat and cook the clams for 6 to 7 minutes. Uncover and remove the open clams.Cover the pot again and continue cooking the clams that haven't opened yet. Cook the clams for another 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and discard any clams that have not opened. Strain the liquid from the pot through a mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter and reserve.
  • Coarsely chop the clams and reserve.
  • Drizzle a few drops of olive oil into the bottom of the clam pot and toss in the bacon. Bring the pan to a medium heat. When the bacon has let off a lot of fat and become brown and crispy, toss in the onions and season lightly with salt. Cook the onions until they are very soft and aromatic but have no color, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onions and potato mixture and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in the reserved clam juice. When the clam juice has been whisked in and there are no lumps, whisk in the milk and heavy cream and toss in the bay leaves and thyme. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Toss in the reserved clams. Taste and re-season if needed and add hot sauce if using.

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



New England Clam Chowder image

For a bowl of creamy comfort, try Dave Lieberman's New England Clam Chowder recipe from Food Network, perfect with homemade baguette croutons.

Provided by Dave Lieberman

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks (reserve tender leaves) trimmed, quartered lengthwise, then sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 (10-ounce) cans chopped clams in juice
1 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
1 pound Idaho potatoes, cut into 1/2- inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and saute until softened, mixing often. Stir in the flour to distribute evenly. Add the stock, juice from 2 cans of chopped clams (reserve clams), cream, bay leaves, and potatoes and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring consistently (the mixture will thicken), then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook 20 minutes, stirring often, until the potatoes are nice and tender. Then add clams and season to taste with salt and pepper, cook until clams are just firm, another 2 minutes.;
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet and toss the bread cubes in the butter until browned and toasted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add parsley and season with salt and pepper.;

CONTEST-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder image

This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. -Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 55m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 center-cut bacon strips
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup water
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
3 teaspoons reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups fat-free half-and-half, divided
2 cans (6-1/2 ounces each) chopped clams, undrained

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; set aside. Saute celery and onion in the drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the potatoes, water, clam juice, bouillon, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine flour and 1 cup half-and-half until smooth. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Stir in clams and remaining half-and-half; heat through (do not boil). Crumble the cooked bacon; sprinkle over each serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 788mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



New England Clam Chowder image

"I've been to Boston many times over the past few years. During those trips, my mission was to find the best clam chowder in the city," writes Debra Doyle of Avon Lake, Ohio. "I think I found it at Skipjack's restaurant. Theirs is rich and creamy, with just the right amount of potatoes."

Categories     Soup/Stew     Milk/Cream     Onion     Potato     Bacon     Clam     Celery     Winter     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 8 (first-course) or 4 (main-course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 8-ounce bottles clam juice
1 pound russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves (about 2 large stalks)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup all purpose flour
6 6 1/2-ounce cans chopped clams, drained, juices reserved
1 1/4 cups half and half
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Steps:

  • Bring bottled clam juice and potatoes to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Add onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf and sauté until vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes (do not allow flour to brown). Gradually whisk in reserved juices from clams. Add potato mixture, clams, half and half and hot pepper sauce. Simmer chowder 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Bring to simmer before serving.)

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



New England Clam Chowder image

Adopted! This is Jasper White's recipe. Considered by many to be the definitive version. From the book "50 chowders". This recipe can be made very quickly with bottled clam juice and canned clams if desired - it turns out just fine. Clams/Broth: Makes about 1 quart broth and 2 cups clam meat

Provided by Queen Dragon Mom

Categories     Chowders

Time 1h45m

Yield 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 ounces salt pork, rind removed and cut into 1/3 inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (12 to 14 ounces)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, cut into 1/3 inch pieces (4 ounces)
5 -6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (2 teaspoons)
2 dried bay leaves
2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, and cut into 1/2 inch dice
4 cups clam broth
8 lbs small quahogs or 8 lbs large cherrystone clams, diced clams from reserved from broth instructions
1 1/2-2 cups heavy cream
fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley, for garnish
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, for garnish

Steps:

  • Scrub the clams, and rinse clean.
  • Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in an 8-quart stockpot over high heat.
  • Add the clams, and cover tightly.
  • After 5 minutes, uncover, and stir the clams with a wooden spoon.
  • Quickly cover the pot again, and let steam for 5 minutes more, or until most of the clams have opened.
  • Don't wait for them all to open, or they will be overcooked.
  • It should only take a little tug or prying to open the stragglers once they are all removed from the heat.
  • The total cooking time for large cherrystones will be about 10 minutes; quahogs will need as much as 5 more minutes.
  • While the clams are steaming, the broth should become foamy and light.
  • It usually spills over a bit just as the clams are cooked and ready.
  • As soon as you remove the clams from the stove, carefully pour as much of the broth as you can into a tall, narrow container.
  • Let the broth sit for 10 minutes, then carefully pour through a fine-mesh strainer.
  • After sitting, 99 percent of the grit will have collected at the bottom of the container.
  • If you are not using the broth within the hour, chill it as quickly as possible, and cover it after it has completely cooled.
  • Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Remove the clams from their shells, cover, and refrigerate.
  • After they have cooled a bit, dice them into 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Cover again, and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
  • Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy-bottomed pot over low heat and add the salt pork.
  • Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the salt pork is a crisp golden brown.
  • Remove from pot; set aside.
  • Add the butter, onions, garlic, celery, thyme, and bay leaves.
  • Sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the onions are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the potatoes and the strained clam broth.
  • The broth should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn't, add enough water to cover them.
  • Increase the heat, and bring to a boil.
  • Cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center, about 10 minutes.
  • If the broth hasn't thickened lightly, smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more to release the starch.
  • Remove pot from the heat, and stir in the diced clams and the cream.
  • Season to taste.
  • If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has completely chilled.
  • Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil.
  • Ladle into cups or bowls, making sure that the clams, potatoes, and onions are evenly divided.
  • Sprinkle with parsley, chives, and reserved salt-pork cracklings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383.6, Fat 26.5, SaturatedFat 13.5, Cholesterol 67.7, Sodium 397.6, Carbohydrate 37.1, Fiber 7.4, Sugar 1.9, Protein 5.3

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



New England Clam Chowder image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Milk/Cream     Onion     Pork     Potato     Quick & Easy     Clam     Winter     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 4 cups, serving 2

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 ounces salt pork, rind discarded and the salt pork cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
1 onion, chopped
2 small red potatoes
1 cup water
25 shucked medium hard-shelled clams, reserving 3/4 cup liquor, chopped*
1 1/2 cups half-and-half, scalded
*If shucked fresh clams are not available, a 6 1/2-ounce can minced clams, drained, and 3/4 cup bottle clam juice may be substituted.

Steps:

  • Rinse the salt pork and pat it dry. In a heavy saucepan sauté the salt pork over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden, transfer it with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, and pour off all but 1 1/2 tablespoons of the fat. In the fat remaining in the pan cook the onion over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened and stir in the potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, and the water. Simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender, and boil it, uncovered, for 12 minutes, or until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the clams and the reserved liquor and simmer the mixture for 2 minutes. Stir the half-and-half and the salt pork into the clam mixture and season the chowder with salt and pepper.

EASY NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER



Easy New England Clam Chowder image

Make and share this Easy New England Clam Chowder recipe from Food.com.

Provided by CaramelPie

Categories     Chowders

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 slices bacon, diced
2 cups diced potatoes
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice
2 (6 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams
2 cups heavy cream

Steps:

  • In a 3 quart saucepan, brown bacon over medium heat (do not drain drippings).
  • Add potato and onion and saute for about 7 minutes.
  • Drain the minced clams and reserve the liquid.
  • Add clam juice and reserved clam liquid to mixture in saucepan.
  • Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until potato is tender.
  • Stir in cream and clams and bring to a slow simmer.
  • DO NOT BOIL.
  • Serve with crackers.

Tips:

  • Choose the freshest clams possible: Fresh clams will have a briny smell and closed shells. Avoid any clams with open shells or that smell sour.
  • Use a variety of clams: Different types of clams have different flavors, so using a variety will give your chowder a more complex flavor. Some good options include quahogs, littlenecks, and cherrystones.
  • Don't overcook the clams: Clams are delicate and can easily become tough if overcooked. Cook them just until they are opaque and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Use a good quality clam juice: Clam juice is the base of the chowder, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for a clam juice that is clear and has a briny flavor.
  • Add vegetables to your chowder: Vegetables add flavor and texture to the chowder. Some good options include potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots.
  • Season the chowder to taste: Season the chowder with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. Be careful not to overseason the chowder, as the clams should be the star of the show.
  • Serve the chowder hot: Clam chowder is best served hot. You can garnish it with fresh parsley or chives.

Conclusion:

New England clam chowder is a classic dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and authentic New England clam chowder that your family and friends will love.

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