New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers
This classic New England clam chowder is a rich, creamy soup loaded with tender clams, potatoes, and smoky bacon, served with crunchy oyster crackers. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs clams, chopped, bacon, diced, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 2 cups clams, chopped
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup oyster crackers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 4 slices diced bacon until crisp, about 6 minutes, then remove bacon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 2 diced celery stalks to the bacon fat and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux, cooking out the raw flour taste.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Add 2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, simmer gently for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 7: Stir in 2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups chopped clams, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for another 5 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Step 8: Serve the chowder hot topped with the reserved crispy bacon and 1 cup oyster crackers on the side for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers 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 New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers?
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 clams, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers?
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 New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers 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 New England-Style Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers?
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.
