Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon
A rich and comforting chowder featuring tender clams and smoky bacon, inspired by the classic coastal New England lighthouses. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs smoked bacon, diced, yellow onion, diced, celery stalks, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 oz smoked bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups clam juice
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh clams, chopped (or canned clams with juice)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 6 oz diced smoked bacon until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 medium diced yellow onion, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 2 cups clam juice and bring to a simmer, stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Step 6: Add 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 7: Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh or canned clams with their juice and 1 cup heavy cream. Cook for 5 more minutes until heated through.
- Step 8: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir in the reserved crisp bacon pieces.
- Step 9: Serve hot with crusty bread for a hearty coastal meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked bacon, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
