Hearty New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon
A creamy, comforting clam chowder rich with smoky bacon and tender clams, perfect for a cozy meal. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs smoked bacon, yellow onion, celery stalks 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 slices, diced smoked bacon
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 2, finely chopped celery stalks
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes russet potatoes
- 2 cups clam juice
- 2 cups chopped clams with juice fresh clams or canned clams
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
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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 diced smoked bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the bacon fat and melt. Sauté 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 2 finely chopped celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 3 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux, ensuring the flour does not brown.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in 2 cups clam juice, 1 cup whole milk, and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring until the mixture thickens and is smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Add 3 diced medium russet potatoes, 2 cups chopped clams with juice, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 6: Stir in the reserved crispy bacon and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty New England Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Hearty 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty 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 Hearty 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 Hearty 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.
