Clam chowder - AI generated recipe photo

Clam chowder

Creamy and rich, this hearty chowder blends tender clams with smoky bacon, aromatic thyme, and a hint of bay leaf, creating a comforting bowl that warms the soul. Perfect for any occasion!

Prep: 38 min
Cook: 22 min
Total: 1 hr
Servings: 6
Medium
Appetizers American Kid-Friendly Budget-Friendly
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By Fresh Kitchen Recipes | Published Aug 24, 2025

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 ½ kg Clams
  • 50 g Butter

    Suggested swaps

    Coconut oil · 1:1 ratio — Works well in baking; adds slight coconut flavor
    Olive oil · 3:4 ratio — Use ¾ cup oil per 1 cup butter; best for savory dishes
  • 150 g Bacon
  • 1 finely chopped Onion
  • 1 sprigs of fresh Thyme
  • 1 whole Bay Leaf
  • 1 tbls Plain Flour
  • 150 ml Milk

    Suggested swaps

    Oat milk · 1:1 ratio — Creamy texture; works in most recipes
    Almond milk · 1:1 ratio — Lighter flavor; may be thinner than whole milk
  • 150 ml Double Cream
  • 2 medium Potatoes
  • 1 Chopped Parsley

Instructions

1

Rinse the clams in several changes of cold water and drain well. Tip the clams into a large pan with 500ml of water. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 2 mins until the clams have just opened. Tip the contents of the pan into a colander over a bowl to catch the clam stock. When cool enough to handle, remove the clams from their shells – reserving a handful of empty shells for presentation if you want. Strain the clam stock into a jug, leaving any grit in the bottom of the bowl. You should have around 800ml stock.

2

Heat the butter in the same pan and sizzle the bacon for 3-4 mins until it starts to brown. Stir in the onion, thyme and bay and cook everything gently for 10 mins until the onion is soft and golden. Scatter over the flour and stir in to make a sandy paste, cook for 2 mins more, then gradually stir in the clam stock then the milk and the cream.

3

Throw in the potatoes, bring everything to a simmer and leave to bubble away gently for 10 mins or until the potatoes are cooked. Use a fork to crush a few of the potato chunks against the side of the pan to help thicken – you still want lots of defined chunks though. Stir through the clam meat and the few clam shells, if you've gone down that route, and simmer for a minute to reheat. Season with plenty of black pepper and a little salt, if needed, then stir through the parsley just before ladling into bowls or hollowed-out crusty rolls.

Tips & Notes

Original recipe from American cuisine.

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Nutrition Information

Per serving

Auto-calculated from USDA database. Nutrition values are estimates based on ingredient analysis using the USDA FoodData Central database. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Calories 353 kcal
Protein 15.00 g
Carbohydrates 33.50 g
Total Fat 18.80 g
Fiber 7.20 g
Sugar 3.50 g
Sodium 693.00 mg

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AI-Generated Recipe — This recipe was created with the help of artificial intelligence by Fresh Kitchen Recipes. We recommend reviewing ingredients and steps before cooking.