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Creamy New England Clam Chowder: Easy 1-Hour Recipe

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A rich, creamy, and comforting New England clam chowder made with smoky bacon, tender potatoes, and briny clams. This reliable one-pot recipe delivers restaurant-quality texture in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon (Applewood smoked recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, cubed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or seafood stock
  • 2 (6.5-oz) cans chopped clams, drained (reserve juice)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Oyster crackers for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until crispy (5-7 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, set aside, and leave fat in the pot.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the bacon fat. Once melted, add onions and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic in the last 30 seconds.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux; it should look like wet sand.
  4. Slowly pour in stock while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add cubed potatoes and reserved clam juice. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Do not overcook.
  6. Stir in heavy cream, drained clams, thyme, and bay leaf. Heat gently for 3-5 minutes. Do not boil vigorously.
  7. Season with black pepper and salt if needed. Remove bay leaf. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy bacon bits and oyster crackers.

Notes

Do not boil the soup after adding cream to prevent curdling. If the chowder is too thick, add a splash of stock or milk. If too thin, simmer longer or mash some potatoes. For a gluten-free version, use GF flour or skip the flour and mash potatoes. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: New England clam chowder, creamy soup, comfort food, seafood recipe, one pot meal, winter soup, bacon chowder

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/creamy-new-england-clam-chowder-easy-1-hour-recipe/