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Cozy New England Clam Chowder Made from Scratch

New England clam chowder from scratch - featured image
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A thick, creamy, soul-warming clam chowder made from scratch with simple ingredients like bacon, potatoes, and canned clams. This quick and easy recipe delivers rich, comforting flavor in about 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup clam juice
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cans (6.5 oz each) chopped clams, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a cold Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; leave fat in pot.
  2. Add onion and celery to the pot; cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
  3. Sprinkle flour over vegetables; stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in clam juice and chicken broth while whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Stir in potatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Remove bay leaf. Reduce heat to low; slowly stir in milk and undrained clams. Heat through for 3-5 minutes without boiling.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve ladled into warm bowls, topped with reserved bacon and fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not let the chowder boil after adding milk to prevent curdling. For a thicker chowder, mash some cooked potatoes against the pot before adding milk. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: clam chowder, New England clam chowder, chowder recipe, easy clam chowder, comfort food, seafood soup

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/cozy-new-england-clam-chowder-made-from-scratch/