This New England clam chowder is stick-to-your-ribs, creamy satisfaction in a bowl! Loaded with bacon, clams, potatoes, you'll want to dive in and not come up for air.
- 5 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 19.5 oz canned clams, chopped, drain and reserve juice (3 - 6.5 oz cans)
- 3 cups clam juice (+reserved juice)
- 3 large yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1/2 inch dice (about 4 cups)
- dash of hot sauce (Tabasco)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
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Set a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over med/high heat and cook the bacon until brown and crisp. Remove to drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
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Add the butter to the bacon grease in the pot (don't drain) and lower the heat to medium. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft and golden, about 5-7 mins.
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Stir in the flour and cook for 2 mins. Slowly stir in the clam juice (you should have about 4 1/2 cups in total including the reserved juice). Cover and bring to a boil.
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Reduce to a simmer and add the potatoes, hot sauce, herbs, and seasonings. Season generously with kosher salt.
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Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are cooked though, about 15 mins.
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Stir in the half and half, heavy cream, clams, and bacon (crumbled). Cover and simmer over very low heat, about 10 mins.
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Spoon into bowls or cups and serve with oyster crackers if desired.
- Soup or chowders shouldn't be so thick that you spoon will stay upright if you let go. A soup is a soup, it’s not a pudding and shouldn’t be the consistency of mashed potatoes. Creamy and satisfying…yes. Gloppy and floury….no.
- Cut your potatoes to the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don't bring your chowder to a boil after adding the cream and half n half. Allow it to simmer on low until thick and creamy.
- Reserve a little of the crumbled bacon to garnish your chowder for serving.