Best 8 Steamer Clam Chowder Recipes

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Indulge in a comforting bowl of New England's classic seafood delight, Steamer Clam Chowder. This creamy, savory chowder is a symphony of flavors, featuring tender steamer clams cooked to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth. Enhanced with the briny essence of the sea, this chowder is a seafood lover's dream.

Dive into the culinary journey with our collection of carefully curated Steamer Clam Chowder recipes. Each recipe offers a unique twist on this timeless dish, ensuring a chowder experience that tantalizes your taste buds. From the traditional New England-style chowder, brimming with plump clams, potatoes, and fresh herbs, to innovative variations that incorporate unique ingredients like corn, bacon, and even a touch of heat, our recipes cater to every palate.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking culinary adventures, our Steamer Clam Chowder recipes are designed to guide you effortlessly through the cooking process. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create a chowder that rivals that of the finest seafood restaurants.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary voyage to the shores of New England. Let the aroma of simmering clams and the warmth of a hearty chowder fill your kitchen as you create a dish that will leave your family and friends craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER



The Best Clam Chowder image

This truly is The Best Clam Chowder Recipe ever. The secret is steaming fresh clams yourself. It's easier than you think and totally worth the extra effort!

Provided by Erica Walker

Categories     Soup

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

3/4 cup butter (melted)
1 cup flour
1 cup celery (finely diced)
1 cup onions (finely diced)
1 cup leeks (finely diced)
3 cups red potatoes (diced (if you like a thinner clam chowder use less))
3/4 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
3/4 tablespoon whole thyme
6 bay leaves
4 shakes Tabasco sauce
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup clam juice
2 quarts half & half
3/4 cup clams (chopped, see post above for fresh clam instructions, you can also use canned clams)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325. In a glass baking dish, whisk together flour and melted butter until combined. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and crumbly. Set aside.
  • In a large pot, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter and add celery, onion, and leeks. Cook on medium heat for about 3-5 minutes or until soft and slightly transparent.
  • Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the butter/flour mixture, half & half, and clams. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through and fork tender.
  • Add the butter/flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick. The mixture will be extremely thick.
  • Remove chowder from heat and stir in half & half until blended and smooth. Heat to serving temperature (do not bring to a boil), stirring occasionally. Once the chowder has thickened slightly, stir in the clams. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 23 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Sodium 1443 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g, Calories 521 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving

NEW ENGLAND STEAMED CLAMS



New England Steamed Clams image

Provided by Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 pounds soft-shell clams
Cornmeal
1 rib celery
8 sprigs parsley
Hot melted butter, for serving

Steps:

  • Rinse clams several times in cold, running water. Soak them in salted or seawater with a few handfuls of cornmeal for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse again.
  • Fill a steamer with 1-inch cold water, celery and parsley and bring to a boil. Add clams all at once. Bring back to a boil, then cook for about 4 minutes, shaking the pot from time to time, until clams open. (If you wish, cook 3 to 4 minutes longer, to kill off harmful bacteria that may exist.)
  • Remove steamers with a spider or a large slotted spoon to serving bowls. Open spigot of steamer and strain broth into small bowls for serving. If your steamer does not have a spigot, ladle broth into bowls, leaving behind any debris. Serve steamers immediately with broth and hot melted butter for dipping.

STEAMER CLAM CHOWDER



Steamer Clam Chowder image

Provided by Jasper White

Categories     Pork     Potato     Shellfish     Clam

Yield Makes about 11 cups; serves 10 to 12 as a first course or 6 to 8 as a main course

Number Of Ingredients 15

5 pounds small to medium soft-shell clams (steamers)
2 cups water
4 ounces meaty salt pork, rind removed and cut into 1/3-inch dice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion (10 to 12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 stalks celery (4 ounces), cut into 1/3-inch dice
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (1 teaspoon)
2 dried bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold, Maine, PEI, or other all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or up to 2 cups if desired)
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher or sea salt, if needed
For garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Steps:

  • 1. Fill two large pots (or two sinks) with cold water. Place the clams in one pot of water, discarding any dead ones or clams with cracked shells. Gently move them around in the water and let them soak for a few minutes, then lift them out and place them in the other pot of cold water. Rinse the first pot and fill it again. Move the clams around again, then transfer them back to the clean pot. Continue to switch the clams back and forth, letting them soak for a few minutes each time, and then lifting them out of the pot, until the water remains crystal clear. The process should take four or five soakings.
  • 2. Put the 2 cups water in an 8-quart pot, cover, and bring to a rolling boil. Quickly but gently place the clams in the pot and cover again. After 4 minutes, remove the lid and quickly stir the clams with a wooden spoon, trying to lift some of the clams from the bottom to the top so they will cook evenly - but be gentle, the shells are very brittle and crack easily. Cover and continue to steam for another 4 to 5 minutes. (The broth will most likely overflow just as the clams have finished cooking.) All the clams should be open; if not, steam them a minute or two longer. Remove the clams and strain the broth; you should have 4 cups.
  • 3. When the clams are cool, remove them from the shells and cut off the siphons, as well as the protective skin that covers each siphon, and discard. (You should have about 1 pound of clam meat.) Cover and refrigerate until later.
  • 4. Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the pork is crisp and golden brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer the cracklings to a small ovenproof dish, leaving the fat in the pot, and reserve until later.
  • 5. Add the butter, onion, celery, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot and sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
  • 6. Add the potatoes and the reserved clam broth. The broth should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn't, add enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. If the broth hasn't thickened lightly, smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot and cook a minute or two longer to release the starch.
  • 7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the clams and the cream and season to taste with black pepper and possibly a pinch of salt (the saltiness of steamers varies). If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to an hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • 8. When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Try not to stir too often, because you don't want to break open the clam bellies. Warm the cracklings in a low oven (200°F) for a few minutes.
  • 9. Ladle the chowder into cups or bowls, making sure that the steamers, onions, and potatoes are evenly divided. Scatter the cracklings over the individual servings and sprinkle with the chopped parsley and minced chives.

CLAM CHOWDER



Clam Chowder image

Provided by Alton Brown

Time 40m

Yield 4 large servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 ounces salt pork, finely diced
1 1/2 cups small diced yellow onion
6 cups small diced baking potatoes, like russets
2 cups milk
1 (6.5 ounce) can clams, drained, juice reserved
12 Little Neck clams
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Grape tomatoes, halved, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepot, render the salt pork until just crisp. Remove and discard. Sweat the onion in the pork fat until tender. Add the potatoes and cover with milk. Bring to a boil and let simmer until potatoes are soft. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a separate pot, fitted with a steamer basket, bring the reserved clam juice to a boil. Add clams and cover. Steam for three minutes until all clams are open. Remove the clams as they open and transfer to a bowl. Add the steaming juices to the pot with the chowder. Using a stick blender puree to desired consistency. Adjust seasonings.
  • Finely chop the drained canned clams. Fold into the chowder. Serve with steamed clams, parsley, sour cream and grape tomatoes, as garnish.

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

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

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

STEAMER CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Steamer Clam Chowder Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by á-25087

Number Of Ingredients 15

5 pounds small to medium soft-shell clams (steamers)
2 cups water
4 ounces meaty salt pork, rind removed and cut into 1/3-inch dice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion (10 to 12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 stalks celery (4 ounces), cut into 1/3-inch dice
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (1 teaspoon)
2 dried bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold, Maine, PEI, or other all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (up to 2 cups if desired)
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher or sea salt if needed
Garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Steps:

  • Fill two large pots (or two sinks) with cold water. Place the clams in one pot of water, discarding any dead ones or clams with cracked shells. Gently move them around in the water and let them soak for a few minutes, then lift them out and place them in the other pot of cold water. Rinse the first pot and fill it again. Move the clams around again, then transfer them back to the clean pot. Continue to switch the clams back and forth, letting them soak for a few minutes each time, and then lifting them out of the pot, until the water remains crystal clear. The process should take four or five soakings. Put the 2 cups water in an 8-quart pot, cover, and bring to a rolling boil. Quickly but gently place the clams in the pot and cover again. After 4 minutes, remove the lid and quickly stir the clams with a wooden spoon, trying to lift some of the clams from the bottom to the top so they will cook evenly-but be gentle, the shells are very brittle and crack easily. Cover and continue to steam for another 4 to 5 minutes. (The broth will most likely overflow just as the clams have finished cooking.) All the clams should be open; if not, steam them a minute or two longer. Remove the clams and strain the broth; you should have 4 cups. When the clams are cool, remove them from the shells and cut off the siphons, as well as the protective skin that covers each siphon, and discard. (You should have about 1 pound of clam meat.) Cover and refrigerate until later. Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the pork is crisp and golden brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer the cracklings to a small ovenproof dish, leaving the fat in the pot, and reserve until later. Add the butter, onion, celery, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot and saute, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. Add the potatoes and the reserved clam broth. The broth should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn't, add enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. If the broth hasn't thickened lightly, smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot and cook a minute or two longer to release the starch. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the clams and the cream and season to taste with black pepper and possibly a pinch of salt (the saltiness of steamers varies). If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to an hour, allowing the flavors to meld. When ready to serve, reheat the clam chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Try not to stir too often, because you don't want to break open the clam bellies. Warm the cracklings in a low oven 200°F (90°C) for a few minutes. Ladle the clm chowder into cups or bowls, making sure that the steamers, onions, and potatoes are evenly divided. Scatter the cracklings over the individual servings and sprinkle with the chopped parsley and minced chives

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh clams. If you can't find fresh clams, you can use frozen clams, but be sure to thaw them before using.
  • To make the chowder even more flavorful, you can add a cup of white wine or beer to the pot.
  • If you don't have a steamer, you can cook the clams in a large pot of boiling water. Just be sure to cover the pot and cook the clams until they open, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Serve the chowder with a side of crusty bread or crackers.

Conclusion:

Steamer clam chowder is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. With its creamy broth, tender clams, and flavorful vegetables, this chowder is sure to warm you up from the inside out. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give this steamer clam chowder a try. You won't be disappointed!

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