Savory Seafood Chowder Recipe: Ocean’s Cozy Gem

Winters demand comfort, and this seafood delight chowder recipe delivers pure warmth with every spoonful.

Creamy, rich textures blend harmoniously with fresh ocean flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty chunks of tender seafood swim in a velvety broth that promises satisfaction.

Fragrant herbs and subtle spices weave through the chowder, creating a symphony of maritime deliciousness.

Packed with succulent shrimp, delicate white fish, and plump clams, this chowder transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate the balance of ingredients that make this recipe special.

Dive into this maritime culinary adventure and savor every delectable bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 9

Seafood Chowder Ingredients You’ll Love

• Butter: Adds rich, velvety flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly..
• Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning and provides a subtle fruity undertone..
• Leeks: Offers a mild, sweet onion-like flavor with delicate texture, choose fresh bright green tops..
• Celery: Brings crisp freshness and subtle earthiness, select firm stalks without wilting..
• Fresh Thyme: Provides herbaceous, slightly minty essence, look for vibrant green sprigs..

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates silky smooth base and helps bind chowder's components..
• Homemade Seafood Stock: Infuses deep ocean essence, preferably made from fresh shellfish shells..

• Potatoes: Adds hearty texture and natural creaminess, select waxy varieties like Yukon Gold..
• Cod: Delicate white fish that flakes beautifully, choose fresh with firm, translucent flesh..
• Shrimp: Sweet, tender seafood that cooks quickly, pick firm, bright-colored specimens..
• Scallops: Brings buttery, delicate flavor, ensure dry and fresh without milky residue..
• Clams: Provides briny ocean taste, select tightly closed shells before cooking..
• Crab Meat: Offers sweet, delicate richness, best when freshly picked..
• Sweet Corn: Delivers natural sweetness and bright color, use fresh or high-quality frozen..

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and rounds out flavor profile..
• Fresh Chives: Adds.

Tools to Simmer Seafood Chowder with Flavor

• Large Soup Pot: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for chopping leeks, celery, and dicing potatoes with precision.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing vegetables and seafood.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the hot chowder into bowls.

How to Prepare a Seafood Chowder

• Vegetable Foundation

Warm butter and olive oil in a large soup pot. Toss in leeks and celery, letting them soften and develop a light golden color. The gentle cooking releases delicious aromatics that will form the base of our chowder.

• Flour Magic

Dust flour over the sautéed vegetables, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth, silky mixture that will give our chowder its luxurious texture.

• Liquid Harmony

Slowly introduce seafood stock into the pot, whisking carefully to prevent any unwelcome lumps. The stock will marry with the vegetables and flour, creating a rich, flavorful liquid.

• Potato Paradise

Drop in diced potatoes and fresh thyme. Let the pot simmer gently, covered, allowing the potatoes to become tender and absorb all the wonderful flavors brewing inside.

• Ocean's Bounty

Introduce a medley of seafood and sweet corn. Nestle the clams deep into the liquid, encouraging them to open naturally. Simmer until the seafood is perfectly cooked and the clams have revealed their tender interiors.

• Creamy Finale

Pull the pot from the heat and swirl in cream, creating a velvety smooth finish. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh chives for a burst of color and herbal brightness.

Tips for Seafood Chowder That’s Rich, Not Fishy

• Seafood Stock Swap: No homemade seafood stock? Don't worry! Use store-bought fish or clam stock as a quick alternative. Low-sodium versions work best to control the saltiness of your chowder.
• Potato Power: Try different potato varieties like Yukon gold or red potatoes for varied texture. Cut them into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking throughout the chowder.
• Seafood Selection Secrets: Feel free to experiment with local or seasonal seafood options. Replace certain types with what's freshest at your market. Avoid overcrowding the pot to maintain the delicate balance of flavors.
• Dairy-Free Magic: For lactose-intolerant friends, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream. These alternatives add a unique twist while keeping the chowder creamy and rich. Unsweetened versions work best to preserve the savory profile.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. A splash of white wine while simmering can elevate the depth of flavor. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley make excellent last-minute garnishes to brighten the dish.

Serve Chowder Hot with Crusty Bread

• Coastal Comfort Pairing: Serve this hearty chowder with a crisp, buttery sourdough bread to soak up every delicious spoonful. The bread's tangy flavor complements the rich seafood perfectly.
• Elegant Dinner Presentation: Ladle the chowder into wide, shallow bowls and sprinkle extra fresh chives on top. Add a small lemon wedge on the side to let guests squeeze fresh citrus over their dish for a bright, zesty accent.
• Wine Companion Selection: Pair this seafood chowder with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay. The wine's crisp acidity will cut through the creamy texture and enhance the delicate seafood flavors, creating a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.
• Seasonal Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with cucumber and a light vinaigrette to balance the chowder's richness. The fresh, crisp salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, creamy seafood soup.

Store Leftover Seafood Safely

• Refrigeration Magic: Store leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The seafood's delicate flavors remain best when chilled quickly and kept cold.
• Freezing Strategy: Freeze without cream for optimal texture. Pour cooled chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Frozen chowder stays delicious for 1-2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Wisdom: Gently warm chowder on stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of seafood stock or cream to restore original creamy consistency and prevent separation.
• Smart Prep Tip: Chop vegetables and seafood in advance, storing separately in refrigerator. Keep ingredients in sealed containers for quick assembly when ready to cook, saving time and maintaining freshness.

Hearty Seafood Chowder Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Seafood delight chowder brings together fresh ocean flavors with creamy richness from New England coastal traditions. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a comforting meal that welcomes you to savor each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb seafood stock (1.66 liters)
• 6 whole potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 lb cod or other firm white fish, cut into bite-size chunks
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb clams, washed and scrubbed
• 1 lb lump crab meat
• ¾ lb scallops
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream or half and half
• 2 whole leeks, thinly sliced until the light green part
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 cups sweet corn
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• ⅔ cups (80 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps fresh thyme, stems removed
• chives, chopped for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, transforming leeks and celery into golden, translucent treasures that will form the flavor foundation of the chowder.
2. Thicken Broth: Sprinkle flour over softened vegetables, stirring meticulously to create a smooth roux, then gradually whisk in seafood stock to develop a velvety, lump-free liquid base.
3. Develop Depth: Introduce diced potatoes and thyme, reducing heat and allowing the pot to simmer gently until potatoes become tender, infusing the broth with subtle herbaceous notes.
4. Seafood Symphony: Carefully add cod, shrimp, scallops, clams, crab meat, and corn kernels, ensuring clams are fully submerged. Simmer delicately for 8-10 minutes, discarding any unopened clams to maintain quality and safety.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, swirl in cream for a luxurious texture, then ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped chives, presenting a vibrant, aromatic seafood masterpiece that celebrates the ocean’s bounty.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk flour and stock slowly and consistently to ensure a smooth, velvety base without unwanted clumps.
• Seafood Cooking Tip: Cook seafood gently to preserve delicate textures; overcooking can make fish tough and rubbery.
• Clam Safety Check: Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking, as they might be unsafe for consumption and indicate spoilage.
• Cream Adding Technique: Remove pot from heat before stirring in cream to prevent curdling and maintain a silky, luxurious consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg