Seafood Chowder Recipe

Close up of seafood chowder with mussels and shrimp.

5 from 17 votes

This Seafood Chowder recipe is made in just one pot with a mix of fresh shrimp, mussels, corn, and a touch of cream that is beyond hearty and succulent.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time1

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Servings: cups

Calories: 330kcal

Author: Rachel

Ingredients

4 strips Bacon chopped
½ Cup Yellow Onion diced
1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
⅓ cup Dry White Wine
24 oz Clam Juice usually 3 bottles
1 ½ cup Potatoes peeled and diced
1 lb Large Shrimp peeled and deveined
2 cups Frozen Corn
15 Mussels Fresh or Frozen* see note
½ cup Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon Thyme dried
½ cup Fresh Parsley Garnish, optional

Instructions

Over medium heat, sauté bacon in a large pot until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate but leave the dripping in the pot.
In the same pot, add the butter and diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add wine and boil for 1 more minute.
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 of the potatoes.
Add the shrimp and mussels. Cook about 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink and mussels open.
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.

Video

Notes

Notes on Mussels

For Fresh: They are usually packaged in mesh at the seafood counter and still alive. They should smell salty like the ocean. Check the freshness tag. If the shells are slightly agape, try tapping on them. If they close relatively quickly, it's fine.

For Frozen: You can use frozen mussels like these. I heat them in the microwave and discard the sauce if there is any before adding to the soup.

Can't Find Mussels? Use fresh clams. Or substitute another seafood like crab, cod, snapper, or lobster. Be mindful of the cooking times as they may change.

Nutrition