Creamy Seafood Chowder – A hearty, succulent soup that warms the soul. The potatoes and onions lend a starchy filling while the mix of fresh shrimp, mussels, cod, and real cream makes this soup beyond satisfying.
I am sharing my secret weapon seafood chowder recipe today! This recipe has been a favorite of mine for several years and it’s the perfect soup for that time when fall isn’t quite in full swing yet.
I am not sure where the tradition started but many of my friends talk about having seafood on Christmas Eve, and when I heard of this, I started to make this Seafood Chowder every year on Christmas Eve. However, I’m pretty sure I can come up with any excuse to have a thick, creamy seafood chowder recipe like this.
How To Make a Great Seafood Chowder Recipe
The chowder recipe I am sharing is very chunky and full of texture. If you like your chowder a little more creamy in texture, you can cut your vegetables smaller. Add some corn for a sweet flavor, or celery and green onion to increase the amount of vegetables.
My basic recipe includes shrimp, cod, and mussels. I love how the mussels look in this dish with the creamy broth. They add something special, but they can be a pain for guests to remove the shells after serving. You might want to change up some of the seafood options in this chowder, and that’s perfectly ok. I change it up often as well depending on what’s available at the supermarket and sometimes just out of desire to do something a little different. Great additions would be lobster, crab meat, or substituting other fishes such as haddock and even red snapper.
Frequently asked questions:
When picking your seafood, you definitely want it fresh, especially the mussels. They are usually packaged in mesh at the seafood counter and still alive. Of course they should smell salty like the ocean. Check the freshness tag and also make sure that the mussels are still tightly closed. If the shells are slightly agape, try tapping on them. If they close relatively quickly, it’s fine.
Chef’s Knife : My brother-in-law has had a set of these for a few years and I prefer them over my super expensive Wusthof set. They feel very nice in hand, but the constant honing and sharpening is a little tiresome. If I bought another set, this would definitely be the one.
This soup is very rich and filling with the creamy base and all the hearty ingredients. My favorite thing to serve with it is a warm, crusty loaf of bread to soak up all the broth. You can also serve it along a fresh salad or with a warm sandwich.
Pin It For Later:
LOOKING FOR MORE HEARTY SOUP RECIPES? CHECK THESE OUT:
- Cabbage Beef Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup
- Broccoli Cheese Soup with Real Cheese
Seafood Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon chopped
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- 3 bottles of clam juice 24 oz total
- 1 ½ cup potato peedled and diced
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 cups sweet corn frozen or canned is fine
- 15 mussels clams can be substituted, both need cleaned and debearded
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Over medium heat, saute bacon in a large pot until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate but leave the dripping in the pan. In the same pan, add the butter and diced onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add wine and boil for 1 more minute.
- Next, stir in clam juice, corn, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer mixture until potatoes are tender. Around 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Add the shrimp. Cook about 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink.
- Add cream and thyme to soup and heat through. Discard any mussels that don’t open. Season with salt and pepper as necessary. Garnish with crispy bacon pieces from the towel lined plate.
Nutrition
Not Sure
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jenny says
This is too much amazing for me
Roxanne says
YUM!
piknu says
The cool breezes these days make me want to soup, I love this seafood chowder. Thank you for sharing the recipe! Gonna try it for today dinner.
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Yum! Adding this to my meal plan dish for the Fall!
Thanks so much for sharing on SHOWLicious!
~ Ashley
Jess says
What an interesting recipe!
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Carrie-Eve@A-Hooah-Housewife says
I cannot wait to try this recipe! I LOVE chowder! SOOO glad I found this, it looks amazing!!! (:
Rachel says
It is amazing!! It was great for work lunches this week. Made everyone jealous at work. lol
Auntiepatch says
This is #1 on my to-make-list!
Rachel says
Awesome! Let me know what you think. This recipe certainly makes enough to share.
Rebeccafaith says
I love Fall too! For all the same reasons, but I just feel like repeating it because the love runs so deep: jackets, boots, jeans, soups, stews, chili! OMG I AM SO HUNGRY NOW! Your chowder looks amazing! I have to be careful about not making it around my husband though- he’ll die if he eats fish lol I’m so dramatic. I could’ve just said he’s allergic! It doesn’t stop him from eating it but I get so irritated when he consumes shrimp and can barely breathe. WHO DOES THAT? If you’re allergic, you eat it. But nope, not my guy. I’m still pinning it because I want to make it one day (when he isn’t around)
Rachel says
That’s crazy that he is that allergice to shrimp and still eats it! I am so happy fall is coming. Mostly because I have two weeks left at work! How does Dylan feel about seafood? I can’t get Blake to eat any kind of shellfish but he loves fish.