How to Make New England Clam Chowder

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 16, 2021 Tested

A classic American dish, New England clam chowder is as old as the colonial times. It's a simple soup with some creamy character. It's also a perfect meal for a very cold night. Read on to learn how to make clam chowder from scratch. If you want to use canned clams instead of fresh, skip down to the second section.

Ingredients

4 pounds fresh clams, or 1 1/4 pound canned clams, minced, juices reserved
2 1/2 cups clam broth or bottled clam juice
2 bacon slices, diced
1 onion, diced
2 tablespoons flour
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups heavy cream or half and half
6 tablespoons dry sherry
Salt and pepper to taste
Oyster crackers

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Making the Clam Broth

1
Wash the clams. Rinse the fresh clams with cold running water to wash away any sand or grit. You may have to rub the shells with your fingers to get them completely clean.
- Look over the clams before you cook them. If any of the shells are open while they are still raw, discard those; this means they are not fresh.
- Some types of clams may take a little longer to cook. Gauge whether they are ready by checking their shells.
2
Cook the clams. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a large soup pot or dutch oven. Add the clams and place a lid on the pot. Cook the clams for 5 minutes, uncover the pot and stir the clams, then replace the lid and cook for another 5 minutes. The clams are finished cooking when their shells are open.
3
Strain the broth. Remove the clams from the pot and set them aside in a bowl. Strain the broth that is left behind through a piece of cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove any last bits of sand. You should be left with at least 2 1/2 cups of clam broth. If you need more, add water to bring it to that quantity.
4
Finish preparing the clams. When the clams are cool, take them out of their shells. Lay them on a cutting board and roughly chop them until they are bite-sized. Set them aside to add to the chowder later.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Making the Soup Base

1
Cook the bacon. Place a large stockpot over medium high heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. Remove all but 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of bacon fat from the pot.
2
Sauté the onions. Reduce the heat under the stockpot to medium. Add the onions to the pot and cook until they are translucent, about five minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook for one minute more, stirring so that the onions are coated in flour.
3
Add the broth. Pour the broth over the onions. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon. Increase the heat to medium high and let the broth come to a boil.
4
Add the potatoes and seasonings. Put the thyme, bay leaf, and potatoes in the pot, and bring the soup back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer until the potatoes are soft, about 1/2 hour.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Finishing the Chowder

1
Pour in the cream and sherry. Stir the ingredients into the mixture. Cover the pot again and let the chowder heat to a simmer.
2
Add the clams and seasonings. Taste the soup to determine whether it needs salt and pepper, and add a few pinches until it reaches the level of saltiness and spice you desire.
3
Let the chowder rest. Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let the chowder rest for about 1/2 an hour. This gives the flavors time to completely meld without overcooking the vegetables or clams. Covering it with a lid will keep it hot enough to serve.
4
Serve the chowder. Ladle the chowder into bowls. Serve with oyster crackers and traditional New England condiments like Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Warnings

If using fresh clams still in their shells, discard any that are broken or that do not close when tapped on the kitchen bench.

Thanks!
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3