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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
