New England Clam Chowder — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The clam liquor is the broth, so fresh clams steamed open at home beat any canned version outright. Render the bacon fat first and simmer the potatoes in the clam liquor, not just cream, or the chowder tastes like plain potato soup.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Littleneck clams

Fresh clams give you both sweet meat and the briny liquor that flavors the whole pot.

3 lb

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Bacon

Rendered first, its fat is the cooking base and its smoke runs through every spoonful.

4 oz

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Yukon Gold potatoes

Waxy-to-medium potatoes hold their shape and thicken the broth as they release starch.

1.5 lb

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Heavy cream

Added at the end off heat so it enriches without breaking; whole milk thins it too far.

1.5 cups

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Butter

A knob at the finish rounds the broth and gives it gloss.

2 tbsp

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Onion and celery

Sweated in the bacon fat, they build the aromatic base; keep the dice small.

1 cup

Onion →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Steam the clamsSteam clams in a covered pot 5-7 minutes until they open, then pull the meat and strain the liquor through cloth.
Render the baconCook diced bacon over medium until crisp, then sweat onion and celery in the rendered fat until soft.
Simmer potatoesAdd potatoes and the strained clam liquor plus water to cover; simmer 15 minutes until tender.
Finish off heatStir in cream, butter, and chopped clams; warm through without boiling so the clams stay tender.

The Toolkit

Heavy soup pot · Fine mesh strainer · Clam knife · Ladle

Straight Answers

Can you make New England Clam Chowder in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze New England Clam Chowder? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make New England Clam Chowder ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is New England Clam Chowder gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is New England Clam Chowder vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.240

New England Clam Chowder, and where to source it