Clam Chowder (with Fresh Clams)

4.98 from 46 votes
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This truly is the Best Clam Chowder Recipe ever. The secret is steaming fresh clams yourself. It’s easier than you think, and the incredible flavor is totally worth the extra effort!

A bowl of the best clam chowder topped with oyster crackers and bacon
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Clam Chowder
  2. Where to Purchase Fresh Clams
  3. How to Clean Fresh Clams
  4. How to Steam Fresh Clams
  5. Can I use Canned Clams in this Clam Chowder Recipe?
  6. More Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Tasty Soup Recipes:
  8. How to Make Clam Chowder
  9. The Best Clam Chowder Recipe Recipe

Our Dad is a clam chowder fanatic. He orders clam chowder everywhere he goes – from coast to coast, from Maine to Massachusetts to Alaska to Washington, and everywhere in between. Out of all the clam chowders he has had, this is his absolute favorite.

Like him, we love the creaminess of New England Clam Chowder, also known as Boston Clam Chowder. It is a rich, creamy clam chowder recipe made with fresh, tender clams. We like to serve this chowder in a bread bowl or with a loaf of sourdough bread. It is also delicious topped with oyster crackers, bacon, and fresh thyme.

Ingredients in Clam Chowder

  • Butter – melted
  • Flour
  • Celery – finely diced
  • Onions – finely diced
  • Leeks – finely diced
  • Red potatoes or Yukon golds – diced (if you like a thinner clam chowder, use less than called for)
  • Ground black pepper
  • Salt
  • Whole thyme
  • Bay leaves
  • Tabasco sauce
  • Chicken broth
  • Clam juice
  • Half and half (or part milk, part heavy cream)
  • Chopped clams, see post above for fresh clam instructions, you can also use canned clams
A ladle scooping up clam chowder from a blue pot


Where to Purchase Fresh Clams

The secret to this delicious clam chowder recipe is the fresh clams. If you leave near the coast, you’ve probably seen them in your grocery stores at the meat and seafood counter. If you live more inland, they might be harder to find. I live in Arizona so I knew I’d have to do some research. I called the meat and seafood counter at our Kroger store and they didn’t have them, but they said I could call a few days ahead and they could put in a special order for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a couple of days so I kept looking. I called a few more grocery stores with no luck. Then, I went to our local Asian market and found fresh clams there! It took a little extra time to track them down, but it was totally worth it!

How to Clean Fresh Clams

For best results, you want to use the clams the same day you purchase them. Clams should not smell fishy, they should smell briny like the ocean. Clean your clams thoroughly before use. Follow these simple steps to make sure you have squeaky clean clams:

  • Inspect each shell for cracks or chips. Discard any cracked or chipped clams. Openings in the shell can let in bacteria.
  • If any shells are open, tap the outside lightly with a spoon. The clam should close tightly when tapped. Discard any clams that do not close when tapped.
  • In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of water with ⅓ cup of salt. Place all clams that passed your inspection into the bowl. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Transfer clams into a new clean bowl with a new salt and water mixture. Refrigerate for another 20 minutes. This process draws the dirt out of the clams. If any clams float to the top during this process instead of settling at the bottom, discard them.
  • Remove clams from the water, but do not pour into a strainer. Pouring everything into a strainer can put dirt back into the clams. Use your hands or a slotted spoon.
  • Finally, brush the outsides of the shell with a vegetable brush to remove any remaining dirt from the outside of the shell.

How to Steam Fresh Clams

  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2-3 pounds fresh clams, cleaned (see above for cleaning instructions)

Using a large skillet with a lid, bring the water, chicken broth, and garlic to a boil. Add the clams into the skillet and place the lid on top. Cook for 5-10 minutes. Watch closely. Once all the clams have opened, remove from heat immediately. Do not overcook – your clams will be rubbery. Reserve some of the liquid for use in the chowder. Scoop the meat out of the shells.

Clam chowder in a bowl topped with bacon, oyster crackers, and fresh thyme

Can I use Canned Clams in this Clam Chowder Recipe?

If the fresh clams route is sounding a bit overwhelming, rest assured you can use canned clams. I think that fresh clams taste better and have a better texture, but canned clams will absolutely work. Use ¾ cup of canned clams, chopped. You can save the juice from the cans to use in the recipe as well.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my clams come out rubbery?

Overcooking clams will make them rubbery. Keep a very close eye on your cooking clams– once they have all opened, take them off the heat immediately.

How long do you soak clams in salt water?

Make a salt/water mixture and soak the clams for 20 minutes, after this, replace the water with more of the clean, salt/water mixture and soak another 20 minutes.

What to serve with clam chowder?

Bread is delicious with clam chowder– a fresh baguette torn and dipped into the thick soup is incredible! A simple salad works too, something basic like a Caesar or oil and vinegar. Roasted veggies pair well also; things like carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms caramelize well and taste wonderful. French fries are a personal favorite! Simple and salted, they really enhance the dish. Corn on the cob is unexpected but great too– buttered and salted to perfection, it’s a great addition to the meal.

How long does clam chowder last?

In an airtight container in the fridge, clam chowder usually lasts 3-4 days. If you’ve had clam chowder before, you know it doesn’t smell or taste ‘fishy’. If you are getting a strange aroma from it, on or before the 4th day, you’ll know it’s time to discard!

What is the best way to reheat clam chowder?

We recommend reheating clam chowder in a saucepan on the stove over medium-heat, stirring frequently until heated through. You can reheat in the microwave, but this tends to make the clams more rubbery.

Read More:Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes: Cozy Meals for Cold Days

More Tasty Soup Recipes:

If you love our Best Clam Chowder recipe, try some of our other favorite soups!

How to Make Clam Chowder

Clam chowder in a pot topped with oyster crackers and bacon

The Best Clam Chowder Recipe

4.98 from 46 votes
This truly is the Best Clam Chowder Recipe ever. The secret is steaming fresh clams yourself. It's easier than you think, and totally worth the extra effort!
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Seafood
Servings 10

Video

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter melted
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup celery finely diced
  • 1 cup onions finely diced
  • 1 cup leeks finely diced
  • 3 cups red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes (if you like a thinner clam chowder use less)
  • 3/4 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 3/4 tablespoon whole thyme
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 4 shakes Tabasco sauce
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup clam juice
  • 2 quarts half & half
  • 3/4 cup clams chopped, see post above for fresh clam instructions, you can also use canned clams

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325. In a glass baking dish, whisk together flour and melted butter until combined. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and crumbly. Set aside. Dice potatoes into bite size cubes.
    Butter and flour cooked together into a glass baking dish
  • In a large pot on the stove, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter and add celery, onion, and leeks. Cook on medium heat for about 3-5 minutes or until soft and slightly transparent.
    Celery, leeks, and onions cooked in a large pot
  • Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the butter/flour mixture, half and half, and clams. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through and fork tender.
    Potatoes, vegetables, and broth in a large stock pot
  • Add the butter/flour mixture into chowder and stir until thick. The mixture will be extremely thick.
    Thick clam chowder roux in a large stock pot
  • Remove chowder from heat and stir in half & half until blended and smooth. Heat to serving temperature (do not bring to a boil), stirring occasionally. Once the chowder has thickened slightly, stir in the clams. Serve immediately.
    Clam chowder in a pot topped with oyster crackers and bacon

Notes

Garnish with:
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Oyster crackers
  • Fresh parsley
  • Homemade croutons
  • Old bay seasoning

Nutrition Information

Calories: 521kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 10gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1443mgPotassium: 611mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1707IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 253mgIron: 3mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    What a great, hearty meal! It really hit the spot after a hard day of being outdoors chopping up firewood.

  2. 5 stars
    I used to be nervous about making clam chowder and the overall preparation process but your recipe post has instilled me with confidence. Thank you so much!

  3. 5 stars
    I have always had trouble getting clams and mussels free from sand no matter what I do. I used your method and it work amazing!

  4. so i hate potatoes, not a general opinion but whatevs, if i made this with no potatoes would that be okay? i can sub carrots maybe?

    1. You can substitute them, but the soup will turn out a little thinner since the starch from the potatoes act as a thickening agent.

  5. 5 stars
    Who knew you could make your own clam chowder? This blows all the other clam chowders I’ve ever eaten clear out of the water.

  6. This was a good clam chowder but very salty.. Did you mean a tablespoon and a half for kosher salt or was it supposed to be a teaspoon! I love salt but this was extremely salty and had to delete it with the rest of our half and half which made it very thin and was still salty.

    1. The measurements are accurate. I have noticed that it seems more salty sometimes depending on the brand of chicken broth I use. You could use reduced-sodium broth next time or simply reduce the salt to your liking. Sorry this didn’t turn out for you as expected! I hope you will give it another shot in the future.

  7. 5 stars
    My husband is also a clam chowder fanatic. Claiming his mom’s was the very best. Well, I made this variation for him and he stated ”this is better than mom’s”. Round two tonight and he is beyond excited! This recipe is delicious, to say the very least. Five stars.

    1. Oh man! A “better than mom’s” compliment has got to be the highest honor we could hope to achieve! haha that seriously just made my day!

    1. I just use the regular clams that I can find at my local butcher (they just have one kind). I know this isn’t the most helpful. Do you have different options available?

  8. I am going to try this recipe and see if it is as good as the Sizzler Original Clam Chowder. I am hope that it is because I really loved it very much.

    1. I used to work at Sizzler and I like their clam chowder too, but you can tell it comes from a can. You are going to love this recipe!

  9. This recipe took much longer to prepare than expected- about two hours! Additionally, after adding the half and half it was very thin and took adding a rue (of the broth and flour) and about 30 minutes to make it “chowder” consistency. Lastly, I would say that it was extremely peppery– I would suggest using half the amount and then letting people add it to taste if they would like more.

  10. How many servings does thus Best a Clam Chowder make?
    I’m looking for a good Clam chowder recipe to make for a Sr Citizen Ctr where I serve but can’t tell servings. Do u think (if fresh clams in large qty is too expensive) canned would work– and how many cans— & would how many jars of clam juice?

  11. The title of this recipe is so right on. My husband went to Alaska awhile ago and we have been trying various new recipes with the halibut and salmon he brought back. We have only been trying clam chowder recipes with the clams and I am very sad that we tried this one with the last of our clams. Sad because I want to eat more of THIS clam chowder soon–like today–but alas no more fresh clams. He tried to tell me we would purchase some canned clams and I told him “but the recipe says. . .only fresh clams”. (We will see who wins this one.) Thank you again for sharing your recipes.