Seattle-Style Rainy Day Clam Chowder
A comforting creamy clam chowder inspired by Seattle’s coastal flavors, brimming with tender clams, smoky bacon, and fresh herbs. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs bacon, yellow onion, celery stalks 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
- 4 slices, chopped bacon
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups clam juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes potatoes
- 2 cups, chopped with juice reserved canned clams
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp butter
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 4 chopped bacon slices until crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate and leave the rendered fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp butter, 1 diced medium yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced medium carrot to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in 2 cups clam juice and 1 cup heavy cream, ensuring no lumps form. Add 3 peeled and diced medium potatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups chopped canned clams with their reserved juice, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in the reserved crispy bacon and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread for a warming Seattle-inspired meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Seattle-Style Rainy Day Clam Chowder 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 Seattle-Style Rainy Day 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 bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Seattle-Style Rainy Day 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 Seattle-Style Rainy Day Clam Chowder 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 Seattle-Style Rainy Day 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.
