San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam Chowder
A classic San Francisco sourdough bread bowl filled with rich, creamy clam chowder packed with tender clams and potatoes. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs (fresh or canned) clams, chopped, chopped bacon, medium, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 (6-inch diameter each) round sourdough bread loaves
- 2 cups (fresh or canned) clams, chopped
- 4 slices, chopped bacon
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 2, finely diced celery stalks
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups clam juice
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes red potatoes
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a large pot over medium heat and add 3 tbsp butter. Once melted, add 4 chopped bacon slices and cook for 5 minutes until crispy and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium finely diced yellow onion, 2 finely diced celery stalks, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously to form a roux.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in 2 cups clam juice and 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Add 2 cups chopped clams, 2 diced red potatoes (1/2-inch cubes), 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, cut the tops off 2 round sourdough bread loaves (6-inch diameter each) and hollow out the centers, leaving a 1-inch thick shell.
- Step 7: Ladle the clam chowder into the hollowed bread bowls and serve hot with the sourdough tops on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam 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 San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam 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 chopped bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam 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 San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam 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 San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl with Creamy Clam 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.
