Creamy Clam Chowder

Who doesn't love clam chowder? It's warm, comforting, delicious - the perfect recipe for a cold Saturday night. This recipe takes less than an hour to make. When the cook time is over, you've got the perfect meal for your family - and hopefully enough for leftovers too!

Total Time:
45 minutes
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 slices bacon, diced into small pieces
  • Olive oil
  • 1 to 1.5 packages of Northern Chef clam meat
  • 1 onion, diced into small pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flower
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 2-3 gold potatoes, cut into cubes
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Chopped parsley leaves for garnish

Directions

Step 1: In a large Dutch oven, electric kettle or a large pot on the stove, sauté bacon bits in olive oil and cook until brown, with crispy edges. This takes approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel on a plate, to drain the fat. Leave the oil in the bottom of the kettle, pot or pan.

Step 2: Melt the butter in the pot. Add onion and garlic. Stir frequently as the onion and garlic cooks, about 2 to 3 minutes. When the onion has become soft and translucent, add the thyme and allow it to cook for one more minute. The thyme will become fragrant – this is when it’s done cooking.

Step 3: Whisk flour into the onions, garlic, butter and oil. Stir until the flour is lightly browned, about 1 minute. Start adding the milk and vegetable stock, stirring continuously.

Step 4: Add the bay leaf and potatoes to the thickened broth. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer until the potatoes are tender. This should take about ten minutes, depending on how small the pieces of potato are.

Step 5: Stir in half-and-half and the clams. Keep stirring until the clams are heated all the way through. If the chowder is too thick, add vegetable stock, milk or half-and-half to reduce the thickness and add to the soup.

Step 6: Season with salt and pepper to taste.