Best 6 Southern Clam Chowder Recipes

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Indulge in the savory and hearty goodness of Southern Clam Chowder, a delectable dish that is not only easy to make but also packed with bold flavors. Originating from the coastal regions of the American South, this chowder is a true comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or special gatherings. Immerse yourself in the rich broth infused with the briny essence of tender clams, vegetables like potatoes, celery, and onions, and a symphony of herbs and spices that dance on your palate. Served piping hot with a side of crusty bread or crackers, this chowder promises to warm your soul and leave you craving more.

The article features a collection of carefully curated Southern Clam Chowder recipes, each with its own unique twist. From the classic New England-inspired chowder to variations that incorporate different ingredients and cooking techniques, there's a recipe to suit every taste preference. Whether you prefer a creamy, milky chowder or a broth-based one, with bacon or without, the article has got you covered. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals, the recipes are designed to guide you effortlessly through the cooking process, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the flavors of the sea and the warmth of Southern hospitality.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

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

MY BEST CLAM CHOWDER



My Best Clam Chowder image

A delicious, traditional, cream based chowder, this recipe calls for the standard chowder ingredients: onion, celery, potatoes, diced carrots, clams, and cream. A little red wine vinegar is added before serving for extra flavor.

Provided by PIONEERGIRL

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Seafood

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams
1 cup minced onion
1 cup diced celery
2 cups cubed potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
¾ cup butter
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 quart half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
  • Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.
  • Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 501.2 calories, Carbohydrate 28.4 g, Cholesterol 136.6 mg, Fat 32.7 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 19.7 g, Sodium 712.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER



The Best Clam Chowder image

This is a basic New England clam chowder, though with leeks used in place of the traditional onions, and a splash of wine to add a floral note. Also: thyme. Very continental! It is shockingly delicious and deserves its title as best. Bacon will add a smoky note to the stew. If you use it, it may be worth it to go the whole distance and get expensive double-smoked bacon instead of the standard supermarket fare. The salt pork, which is not smoked, will take the meal in the opposite direction, emphasizing the pure flavor of the clams.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Time 1h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

24 medium-size quahog clams, usually rated ''top neck'' or ''cherrystone,'' rinsed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 pound slab bacon or salt pork, diced
2 leeks, tops removed, halved and cleaned, then sliced into half moons
3 large Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups cream
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley.

Steps:

  • Put the clams in a large, heavy Dutch oven, add about 4 cups water, then set over medium-high heat. Cover, and cook until clams have opened, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Clams that fail to open after 15 to 20 minutes should be discarded.) Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or doubled-up paper towels, and set aside. Remove clams from shells, and set aside as well.
  • Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add bacon or salt pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pork has started to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from fat, and set aside.
  • Add the leeks to the fat, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and wine, and continue cooking until wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add enough clam broth to just cover the potatoes, approximately 3 cups, reserving the rest for another use. Add the thyme and the bay leaf.
  • Partly cover the pot, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, chop the clams into bits about the size of the bacon dice.
  • When potatoes are tender, add cream and stir in chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let come to a simmer, and remove from heat. (Do not let chowder come to a full boil.) Fish out the thyme and the bay leaf, and discard.
  • The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it to a bare simmer before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 398, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 544 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

RHODE ISLAND CLAM CHOWDER



Rhode Island Clam Chowder image

Clear clam chowder originated along the southern coast of Rhode Island, where it is a local delicacy much to be preferred over the creamier version of Boston to the north and the (to them) criminally tomato-hued style served in Manhattan to the south and west. Eating it recalls the feeling of pulling into Block Island after a long day at sea, scented with salt spray, and sliding into a clean bunk to sleep.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Time 1h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

24 medium-size quahog clams, usually rated ''top neck'' or ''cherrystone,'' rinsed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 pound slab bacon or salt pork, diced
1 large Spanish onion, diced
2 large ribs celery, cleaned and diced
12 red bliss potatoes, cubed
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley.

Steps:

  • Put the clams in a large, heavy Dutch oven, add about 4 cups water, then set over medium-high heat. Cover, and cook until clams have opened, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Clams that fail to open after 15 to 20 minutes should be discarded.) Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or doubled-up paper towels, and set aside. Remove clams from shells, and set those aside as well.
  • Rinse out the pot, and return it to the stove. Add butter, and turn heat to medium-low. Add the bacon or salt pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pork has started to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove pork from fat, and set aside.
  • Add onions and celery to the fat, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and wine, and continue cooking until the wine has evaporated and the potatoes have just started to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Add 4 cups of clam broth, reserving the rest for another use. Add the thyme and the bay leaf.
  • Partly cover the pot, and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, chop the clams into bits that are about the size of the bacon dice.
  • When the potatoes are tender, stir in the chopped clams and reserved bacon. Add black pepper to taste. Let the chowder come just to a simmer, and remove from heat. Fish out the thyme and bay leaf, and discard.
  • The chowder should be allowed to sit for a while to cure. Reheat it before serving, then garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with oyster crackers.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 343, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 49 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 539 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

SOUTHERN ITALIAN CLAM CHOWDER



Southern Italian Clam Chowder image

I love clam chowder for two reasons! Born and raised in New England and we grew up on clam chowder, secondly, I come from a huge Italian family so we make Italiano on occasion! Recipe Source~ Country Italian Cooking

Provided by Angela Pietrantonio

Categories     Other Soups

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 slice bacon, diced
1 c chopped onion
1/2 c chopped peeled carrot
1/2 c chopped celery
2 can(s) (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes ( i use contadina)
1 can(s) (8 oz.) tomato sauce (i use contadina)
1 bottle (8 oz.) clam juice
1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 can(s) (6.5 oz. each) chopped clams, undrained (i use snow's)

Steps:

  • 1. Saute bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Add onion, carrots and celery; saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  • 2. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, clam juice, rosemary and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  • 3. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir in clams and juice. Simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through. 2 points per serving

SOUTHERN CLAM CHOWDER



Southern Clam Chowder image

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 slices bacon, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (8 oz. each) minced clams, don't drain
4 medium potatoes, peeled & diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
3 Tbsp cornstarch
3 cups milk
3 Tbsp butter
2 cups half-and-half
1 tsp dried dill weed

Steps:

  • Cook bacon in a Dutch oven till crisp. Remove bacon, and cook onion in drippings till limp.
  • Return bacon to pot with clams and juice, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer till potatoes are tender.
  • Dissolve cornstarch in a little of the cold milk and add to pot with remaining ingredients. Cook over low heat till chowder is thickened and steamy hot. Don't let it come back to a boil. Serve with oyster crackers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh clams. Fresh clams have a sweeter flavor and a more tender texture than canned clams.
  • Soak the clams in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to remove any sand or grit from the clams.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your chowder. This will add flavor and texture to the soup. Some good choices include potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions.
  • Don't overcook the clams. Clams are delicate and can easily become tough if they are overcooked. Cook them just until they are opaque and tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Season the chowder to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or white wine for extra flavor.
  • Serve the chowder hot with crusty bread or crackers. Chowder is a hearty and filling soup that is perfect for a cold day.

Conclusion:

Southern clam chowder is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that is perfect for a cold day. With its creamy broth, tender clams, and flavorful vegetables, this chowder is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying soup, give southern clam chowder a try.

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