Islander's Seafood Chowder
A creamy, hearty chowder packed with mixed seafood and fresh vegetables, inspired by Long Island's coastal bounty. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs butter, medium, finely chopped onion, stalks, finely chopped celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 stalks, finely chopped celery
- 1, finely diced carrot
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, diced potatoes
- 1/2 cup, diced carrots
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups fish broth
- 1/2 lb (225g), peeled shrimp
- 1/2 lb (225g) scallops
- 1/2 lb (225g) fish chunks
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, 2 celery stalks, and 1 diced carrot, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup diced potatoes and 1/2 cup diced carrots, then add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 4 cups fish broth, then bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 lb shrimp, 1/2 lb scallops, 1/2 lb fish chunks, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until seafood is cooked through.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped parsley, then heat gently for 2 minutes until warmed through. Do not boil. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Islander's Seafood Chowder take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Islander's Seafood Chowder?
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 butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Islander's Seafood Chowder?
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 Islander's Seafood Chowder for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Islander's Seafood Chowder?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
