New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder

I absolutely love chowders of all types; especially clam chowder. Quality clam chowder can cost you an arm and a leg. This chowder is so good that you’d think that it came from a high-end restaurant. For what you’d normally pay for 2 servings eating out, this recipe will yield enough to serve 8.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Massachusetts
Keyword: American, main course, Massachusetts, seafood, soup
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 6 strips bacon diced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 small white onion diced
  • 3 ribs celery diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 4 cups half and half
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 8 oz clam juice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 1/2 lbs red potatoes diced
  • 16 oz chopped clams

Instructions

  • In a large pot, brown the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pan, reserving 2 tbsp of the bacon grease.
  • Add in the butter. Sauté the onions and celery for 5 minutes over medium high heat.
  • Add in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, oregano, parsley, thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add in the chicken stock and half/half.
  • Stir in the clam juice and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring.
  • Add in the potatoes and continue simmering for 20 minutes.
  • Stir in the clams and half of the cooked bacon. Simmer for no more than 5 minutes.

Garnish with more crumbled bacon. Serve with oyster crackers.