Description
A deliciously rich and creamy clam chowder inspired by coastal memories, featuring thick-cut bacon and fresh clams.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (or ½ teaspoon Tabasco)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup flour
- 240 ml chicken broth
- 720 ml Half and Half
- 240 ml clam juice
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 bay leaf
- 560 g potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cans chopped clams, juices reserved
- Fresh parsley and cracked black pepper for serving
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start with the bacon. Heat a large pot over medium heat, add bacon, and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Sauté the vegetables. Add butter to the pot, then onion, and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add celery and garlic, stirring until fragrant.
- Add flavor enhancers. Stir in hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce to boost umami.
- Sprinkle in flour over the vegetables, stirring to incorporate. Cook for about a minute.
- Pour in chicken broth slowly while whisking to prevent lumps. Then add Half and Half and clam juice. Bring to a simmer and add the bouillon cube and bay leaf.
- Add diced potatoes. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Fold in chopped clams and reserved juices, warming through without overcooking.
- Remove bay leaf, stir in dried herbs and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Return the crispy bacon to the pot and stir for combined flavor.
- Serve hot with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper on top.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap thick-cut bacon with turkey bacon and use olive oil instead of butter. Adjust spices as per your heat preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: clam chowder, comfort food, creamy soup, seafood soup