65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (2024)

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65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Feb. 21, 2024

    Warm yourself up from the inside-out with these chowder recipes. Fill your bowl with creamy clam chowder, corn chowder, potato chowder and more.

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    Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder

    This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren’t readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

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    Creamy Vegetable Chowder

    This rich, comforting soup recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. You can lower the fat content by using turkey bacon, vegetable broth and skim milk. It's delicious either way. —Suzanna VandeBrake, Peyton, Colorado

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    Mushroom Corn Chowder

    Chock-full of veggies, ham and cheese in every spoonful, this thick, creamy chowder will take the chill off even the nippiest of fall evenings. Serve it with crusty French bread. —Elaine Krupsky, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    TMB Studio

    Simple Shrimp Chowder

    Shrimp fans will be bowled over by this tasty take on chowder. The creamy broth is chock-full of vegetables. Chop up leftover cooked potatoes or use canned ones. —Carolyn Schmeling, Brookfield, Wisconsin

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    TMB studio

    Ramen Corn Chowder

    This tastes so good—as if it simmered for hours, but it’s ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed it up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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    Taste of Home

    Cheddar Seafood Chowder

    Shrimp and scallops make this thick, cheesy and chunky chowder extra special. It’s packed with veggies, and the crispy bacon makes a yummy garnish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Creamy Asparagus Chowder

    Although this soup is best when made with fresh asparagus, you can use frozen or canned. I like to blanch and freeze asparagus in portions just right for this recipe so I can make our favorite chowder all year. —Shirley Beachum, Shelby, Michigan

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    Pumpkin Clam Chowder

    When autumn arrives, I'm eager to celebrate with warm and cozy comfort food like this pumpkin clam chowder. Use fresh clams if they are available. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island

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    Taste of Home

    Several times a year I invite both my retired and current teaching friends to a dinner party with their spouses. I've served this halibut chowder at those parties, and it's always a big hit. —Teresa Lueck, Onamia, Minnesota

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    Taste of Home

    Mexican Street Corn Chowder

    Corn is one of my all-time favorite vegetables, so when it's in season, I always make this super easy soup in the slow cooker. —Rashanda Cobbins, Food Editor, Taste of Home

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    Best Seafood Chowder

    My husband is an avid fisherman. When a family get-together was planned and we had to bring something, we created this recipe using fish from our freezer. The chowder got rave reviews from the relatives! —Heather Saunders, Belchertown, Massachusetts

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    Taste of Home

    Carrot Chowder

    My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama

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    Taste of Home

    Coconut Shrimp Chowder

    After eating a coconut soup at a Thai restaurant, I added coconut milk in my fish chowder recipe. The fresh, simple ingredients allow the seafood to shine. —Michalene Baskett, Decatur, Georgia

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    Taste of Home

    Seafood Chowder with Seasoned Oyster Crackers

    Chock-full of fish, shrimp and scallops, this comforting chowder has been pleasing my family for many years. The seasoned oyster crackers add a bit of spice.—Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

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    Cheesy Chicken Chowder

    I like to serve this hearty chowder as a meal with garlic bread and a salad. It's a wonderful dish to prepare for any occasion. The rich, mild flavor and the tender chicken and vegetables appeal even to children and picky eaters. —Hazel Fritchie, Palestine, Illinois

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    Rustic Fish Chowder

    President John F. Kennedy's affinity for fish chowder was likely inspired by his love of sailing off the coast of New England. In my version, I use fresh halibut my brother-in-law, a commercial fisherman, catches in Kodiak, Alaska. Top servings with grated Parmesan, minced green onions or a few drops of hot sauce.

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    Loaded Broccoli-Cheese Potato Chowder

    For anyone who loves baked potatoes or broccoli cheese soup, this is the best of both worlds. If you have bacon lovers, offer crumbled cooked bacon as a topping. Then everyone is happy, carnivore or not! —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida

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    Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder

    My 10-year-old son and I devised the recipe for this rich and comforting soup. Now it's a family favorite. —Terrie Sowders, Carthage, Indiana

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    Instant Pot Clam Chowder

    Clam chowder is especially tasty when it's served with a sprinkle of fresh thyme, bacon crumbles and crispy oyster crackers on top. If you like your chowder on the thick side, add another tablespoon of flour after it is done in the pressure cooker. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Taste of Home

    Bean Counter Chowder

    This hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it's so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

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    Chorizo Sausage Corn Chowder

    The spiciness of the sausage in this chowder is a wonderful counterpart to the corn's sweetness. Let this soup warm you up. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island

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    Traditional New England Clam Chowder

    I left a cruise ship with a great souvenir...the recipe for this splendid chowder! It's a traditional soup that stands the test of time.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

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    65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (23)

    Corn Chowder with Dumplings

    This is a spiced-up version of my favorite corn chowder. The first time I added dumplings, my husband declared them awesome! —Shannon Kohn, Simpsonville, South Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Priscilla's Vegetable Chowder

    This is the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold fall or winter day. Serve it in a bread bowl to make it extra special. —Rhodes Bake-N-Serv, Jenna Jackson, Salt Lake City, Utah

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    Taste of Home

    Country Fish Chowder

    You'll think you're on Cape Cod when you taste this thick, wholesome chowder made from a recipe I've treasured for many years. It's one of my husband's favorites. He likes it more and more because over the years I've "customized" the basic recipe by including ingredients he enjoys. —Linda Lazaroff, Hebron, Connecticut

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    Taste of Home

    Broccoli Chowder

    Sue Call of Beech Grove, Indiana serves this comforting soup on chilly stay-at-home evenings. Nutmeg seasons the light creamy broth that's chock-full of tender broccoli florets and diced potatoes.

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    Slow-Cooked Manhattan Clam Chowder

    I came up with this simple, delicious soup years ago when my husband and I both worked. It's easy to dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning...and wonderful to come home to the aroma of dinner ready. —Mary Dixon, Northville, Michigan

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    Rich Seafood Chowder

    This creamy, delectable soup is even better the next day. It also works well with scallops or a flaky whitefish. Substitute half-and-half or heavy cream for all or part of the milk to make this soup even richer. —Anita Culver, Royersford, Pennsylvania

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    Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

    I like to make this smooth, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy flavor is full of southwestern flair. My family enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas

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    Taste of Home

    Crab Corn Chowder

    No time to make a homemade soup? Think again! You'll be ladling out steamy bowls of satisfying chowder in no time. Canned corn and crab blend beautifully in this creamy, colorful soup. —Sarah McClanahan, Raleigh, North Carolina

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    Chicken Chili Chowder

    One chilly April afternoon, I craved a hearty soup but had less than an hour to prepare a meal. I came up with this chowder that uses pantry ingredients, and everyone thought it hit the spot. —Jenna Rempe, Lincoln, NE

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    My grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky

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    Veggie Chowder

    Packed with potatoes, carrots and corn, this soup is a great healthy dinner choice. It's not too heavy, so it also makes a nice light partner for a sandwich. —Vicki Kerr, Portland, Maine

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    TMB studio

    Cheddar Potato Chowder

    I only made this soup occasionally because the original recipe was quite high in fat. I doctored it up a bit, using healthier ingredients, and now we eat this rich flavorful chowder more often.—Ellie Rausch of Goodsoil, Saskatchewan

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    Taste of Home

    Corn Chowder with Potatoes

    I developed this soup out of two others to create my own low-calorie recipe. It turned out so well that I entered it in my county fair and won a blue ribbon. —Alyce Wyman, Pembina, North Dakota

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    65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (36)

    Taste of Home

    Spring Salmon Chowder

    You can’t help but fill up on this creamy salmon chowder. Veggies make it a whole meal in a bowl. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

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    Taste of Home

    Beefy Bacon Chowder

    Rave reviews are sure to follow when this creamy chowder appears on the table. Bacon makes it rich and hearty. It's a favorite with my whole family. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado.

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    Taste of Home

    Cheeseburger Broccoli Chowder

    I invented this soup accidentally! Actually, it came about when I was new to cooking, and didn't know that "chowder" was a kind of soup—so I made mashed potatoes to go with the dish I was making. We ended up dunking our mashed potatoes into the soup as "gravy"—and it was delicious!—Karen Davies, Wanipigow, Manitoba

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    Taste of Home

    Chicken Fajita Chowder

    This south-of-the-border chowder is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and it's a winner at family dinners and potlucks alike. We like ours topped with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and chili cheese corn chips. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    Potato Soup

    I decided to add some character to a basic potato chowder with a jar of roasted red peppers. The extra flavor gives a deliciously different twist to an otherwise ordinary soup. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

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    Taste of Home

    Hearty Manhattan Clam Chowder

    This veggie-packed clam chowder is savory and satisfying. Butter up some crusty bread and you'll have yourself a complete meal. —Carol Bullick, Royersford, Pennsylvania

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    Potato Chowder

    One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

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    Cheesy Ham Chowder

    My five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska

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    Zippy Chicken and Corn Chowder

    Gently spiced corn chowder is always a good option for kids, but feel free to rev up yours with hot pepper sauce. This chowder’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. —Andrea Early, Harrisonburg, Virginia

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    Taste of Home

    Potato Clam Chowder

    I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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    Curried Chicken Corn Chowder

    This recipe is close to one my mom used to make for us kids when the weather turned cold. Hers called for heavy cream, but I came up with a slimmer version that I think is pretty true to the original! —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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    Taste of Home

    Smoky Cheddar, Ham and Corn Chowder

    When I'm making a pot of Smoky Cheddar Corn Chowder, no one misses dinner. Smoked cheese the flavor to another level. —Danielle Crawford, Pelzer, SC

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    Taste of Home

    Southwest Chicken Barley Chowder

    Mashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it's a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. —Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana

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    Bacon-Potato Corn Chowder

    I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota

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    Taste of Home

    This corn chowder recipe was one of my favorites as a child in upstate New York, and I still love it today. For extra depth, place the spent cob in the soup, simmer, then remove. —Tracy Bivins, Knob Noster, Missouri

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    Taste of Home

    Chicken and asparagus make a light, comforting soup that’s easy to do with common ingredients. If we have rotisserie chicken, it goes into this soup. —Jennifer Vo, Irvine, California

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    Taste of Home

    Potato Bacon Chowder

    This chowder is like a bacon-topped baked potato in a bowl. On cold winter days, my family is thrilled to see this meal on the table.—Jacque Manning, Burbank, South Dakota

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    Taste of Home

    Shrimp Chowder

    I simmer my rich and creamy shrimp soup in the slow cooker. Because the chowder is ready in less than four hours, it can be prepared in the afternoon and served to dinner guests that night. —Will Zunio, Gretna, Louisiana

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    Taste of Home

    Grandma's Seafood Chowder

    My grandmother makes this every year for Christmas morning—the only time we ever had it. Why wait, when you can enjoy this satisfying chowder anytime? It's also delicious topped with biscuits! —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York

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    Taste of Home

    The ingredients in this dish are a nod to my mother's tasty potato and rutabaga side dish, which was always paired with baked country ham; dishes she served during the cold months when I was a child. Whenever I make this chowder it brings me back to a time when life was just a little bit simpler. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Bacon-Cheeseburger Chowder

    The taste of a good bacon cheeseburger is hard to beat until you try this cheeseburger chowder! It's hearty, convenient and family-friendly. —Kristin Stone, Little Elm, Texas

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    65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (57)

    Easy Chicken Corn Chowder

    When I haven’t planned for dinner, I often play around with ingredients in my pantry instead of running to the store. This recipe was a happy experiment. Cut some fat by omitting the bacon—it’s still tasty. —Barbara Banski, Fenton, Michigan

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    Instant Pot Corn Chowder

    Enjoy this chowder’s rich, slow-simmered flavor in record time by using an Instant Pot. Corn chowder is a classic staple, with its hearty flavors of creamy sweet corn, bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Best Ever Chicken Fajita Chowder

    Warm up weeknights with bowls of this thick, cheesy soup that captures the zippy flavors of the Southwest. —Beverly Matthews, Pasco, Washington

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    Originally Published: January 22, 2021

    65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (60)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer cocktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    65 of the Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the most popular chowder? ›

    New England clam chowder is perhaps the most popular and well-known iteration of the dish. It's a classic combination of clams, onions, corn, celery, bacon or salt pork, and potatoes.

    What two ingredients must be present for the soup to be called a chowder? ›

    Chowder is defined as a soup or stew containing seafood and vegetables, almost always including potatoes and onions.

    What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

    Types. Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

    What makes a chowder a chowder? ›

    What Is Chowder? A chowder is a thick, creamy soup featuring diced or chopped ingredients, left chunky for a hearty final result. Traditional chowder recipes feature seafood ingredients—for instance, clams or fish—while others forgo seafood in favor of vegetables or starches, like corn.

    What is the best thickener for chowder? ›

    Add Flour Or Cornstarch

    You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

    What are the three types of chowder? ›

    Chowder has evolved constantly over the years, with its roots dating back to the 1700s in the Northeast. Today, the 3 most popular variations are Rhode Island or “clear” chowder, Manhattan or “red” chowder, and New England or “white” chowder.

    What is the difference between New England and Manhattan chowder? ›

    New England clam chowder is thick, creamy, and milky-white. Manhattan clam chowder is tomatoey, brothy, and clear. Both types share a clean, briny, and slightly-sweet flavor thanks to the clams—but that's about it.

    What is the core of chowder? ›

    Seafood – The core ingredient (clam, lobster, fish). Seasoning – Typically happens through whole ingredients, like diced onions, celery, bacon, and herbs. Liquid – Milk or cream is essential to the recipe, though many variations also include the use of vegetable stock to thin the stew.

    What is the difference between a chowder and a bisque? ›

    Although a bisque and a chowder are both cream-based soups and most often feature seafood, it is their consistency that defines them and makes them quite different from each other. Whereas a bisque is smooth, a chowder is chunky, chock full of hearty pieces of ingredients such as potato and clams or corn.

    What is the chowder capital of the world? ›

    In fact, did you know that Edwards County, Illinois, is the Chowder Capital of the World? So ordained the county commissioners in 1958 as a salute to downstate chowder. Also known as southern Illinois chowder, downstate chowder bears virtually no resemblance to seafood chowder.

    What is the floating fart from chowder? ›

    Chowder's best friend and pet, Kimchi is a floating stink cloud. Most people don't' want to be around him, but Chowder doesn't mind Kimchi's smell.

    What can I use instead of cream in chowder? ›

    Milk and cornstarch

    To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

    Why was chowder discontinued? ›

    Chowder was canceled by Cartoon Network in August 2009, as the network felt the show did not fit its new demographic of older boys, favoring shows such as the live-action Destroy Build Destroy instead.

    Does a chowder have to have potatoes? ›

    Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines.

    What is the thickening of a chowder? ›

    The cooking liquid—usually broth or stock. A thickening agent—usually cornstarch, flour, or potatoes. Seasonings including salt and pepper.

    Which is better, Manhattan or New England clam chowder? ›

    Manhattan Clam Chowder is healthier than New England Clam Chowder. Manhattan Clam Chowder is lower in calories and fat. It is more nutritious thanks to its vitamin-rich tomato-based broth and abundance of veggies. New England clam chowder is higher in calories and fat because of its heavy cream-based broth.

    What state eats the most clam chowder? ›

    Maine and Massachusetts may be the two states most associated with the cream-based clam chowder. In fact, it is known as one of Maine's most iconic dishes and is considered a classic in Boston's historic neighborhoods.

    Which chowder came first? ›

    The first known chowder recipe was published in the Boston Evening Post in 1751. It was a layered dish made using fish, salt pork, onions, hardtack, spices, pepper, water, red wine and herbs.

    What is the difference between New England clam chowder and Boston clam chowder? ›

    New England Clam Chowder

    Also called Boston clam chowder, this soup gets its signature white color and creamy consistency from milk, heavy cream, or a mix of the two.

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