Homemade New England Clam Chowder

This rich and creamy homemade New England clam chowder is packed full of meaty fresh clams, bacon, buttery yellow potatoes, and just a touch of heavy cream. This is the perfect soup for cold winter days and nights.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Ingredients

8 slices thick sliced bacon diced
2 celery stalks small dice
1 large yellow onion small dice
4 cloves garlic minced
2 pounds baby yellow potatoes cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 6.5 ounce cans chopped clams in water USE THE CLAM JUICE DON'T DRAIN
3 8 ounce bottles clam juice 3 cups
1 bay leaf
1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

In a large soup pot set over medium heat add bacon.
Once the bacon starts to render its fat add in diced celery and onion.
Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
Add in garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
If your bacon does not give off a lot of fat drizzle in a little olive oil or a tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Add potatoes, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, oregano, kosher, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir to combine.
Sprinkle in flour and toss to combine until you see no more dry flour.
Add the clams WITH THEIR JUICE to the pan along with bottled clam juice and bay leaf.
Stir and bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until your potatoes are fork tender.
When your potatoes are soft add your heavy cream, stir to combine, taste, and season if needed, and serve hot with oyster crackers.

Notes

Using fresh clams: Steam 2 dozen cherrystone clams and dice the meat. You'll need to use 2 more cups of clam juice to make up for the lack of clam juice found in the cans.
Each can of diced clams should give you 1/2 cup of clam juice. That means you'll like need 3 bottles of clam juice.

Nutrition

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword clam soup, classic clam chowder, homemade clam chowder, homemade new england clam chowder, new england clam chowder

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