Clam Chowder

This classic chowder is creamy, savory and filled with chunky goodness.

This classic chowder is creamy, savory and filled with chunky goodness. It’s everything a soup should be and makes a hearty wintertime treat.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 15 clams in shells (2 to 2½ pounds)
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice
  • 10 slices bacon
  • ½ Vidalia onion, chopped
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • ½ cup skim milk
  • ½ cup half-and-half
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Soak clams in enough water to cover for 20 minutes. Scrub shells to clean; discard soaking water. In a stockpot with cover, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add clams and steam for 10 to 15 minutes, removing the clams as they open. Discard any that do not open. Remove clams from shells, chop and set aside; discard shells.
  2. In a large saucepan, heat clam juice over medium heat. In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp; remove and crumble bacon, reserving drippings in skillet. Add onion to skillet. Cook over medium heat until translucent. Add butter, flour and bacon. Cook, stirring continuously, for 5 minutes. Increase heat under clam juice to medium-high. Whisk in onion mixture. Continue stirring to ensure no lumps form. Stir in clams. Add potatoes, milk, half-and-half and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 35 minutes, stirring frequently. Season to taste with pepper.

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