What is Clam Chowder? | Goldbelly (2024)

Published on August 1st, 2023
Updated on May 20th, 2024

In this article

  • History of Clam Chowder
  • Is Clam Chowder a Seafood?
  • Does Clam Chowder Have Dairy?
  • What Is Clam Chowder Soup Made Of?
  • Types of Clam in Chowder
  • Types of Clam Chowder
  • What Is Clam Chowder Supposed to Taste Like?
  • Is It Healthy to Eat Clam Chowder?
  • Most Famous Clam Chowder

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SEAFOOD CHOWDER MADE WITH FRESH CLAMS

Clam chowder is a white milky or red tomato-y soup with clams and vegetables like onions and potatoes. Arguably, the most famous clam chowder is New England clam chowder.

New England clam chowder is a rich soup with clams, dairy, bacon, and veggies like potatoes, onions, and celery. This popular seafood chowder has been served for centuries.

History of Clam Chowder

Chowders originated in French fishing villages. They made their way to the Northeastern U.S. via the British, French, or Nova Scotian settlers in the 18th century. The name “chowder” is derived from chaudron (French for cauldron).

Chowder has been such a popular dish for so long that it is even mentioned in Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick and there is a day, National Clam Chowder Day, devoted to the famous soup.

The most popular clam chowders include:

  • Manhattan clam chowder: tomato-based “red” chowder created in Portuguese fishing communities in Rhode Island
  • New England clam chowder (also called Boston clam chowder): cream or milk-based “white” chowder that originated in the northeastern U.S.
  • Rhode Island clam chowder: clam juice broth-based “clear” chowder. Rhode Island clam chowder can also refer to a “red” chowder made with tomato purée that originated in Rhode Island

There are regional versions of clam chowder across the U.S. Additional varieties include:

  • Hatteras Island clam chowder: minimally seasoned clam juice broth-based “clear” chowder
  • Long Island clam chowder: half Manhattan and half New England “pink” chowder
  • Minorcan clam chowder: tomato-based “red” chowder that originated in St. Augustine, Florida, that is made with the datil pepper

Is Clam Chowder a Seafood?

Clam chowder is a seafood stew. Chowders are thickened by cream or milk. They traditionally have seafood in them.

They are hearty soups filled with diced clams and vegetables. Not all chowders have seafood in them. For example, corn chowder does not contain seafood.

Does Clam Chowder Have Dairy?

Yes, clam chowder has dairy. New England clam chowder has heavy cream or milk and butter. Manhattan clam chowder has a tomato base, but it also contains butter.

What Is Clam Chowder Soup Made Of?

Clam chowder is a chunky, hearty, and creamy soup made with fresh clams, heavy cream or milk, and vegetables. Oftentimes, chowder is a thick soup served in a cup, bowl, mug or bread bowl with oyster crackers. Oyster crackers are hexagonal or tiny round salted crackers.

Types of Clam in Chowder

The types of clams most often used in chowder are quahog clams, which are Atlantic hard-shell clams. Species of these clams most often used in chowder recipes include cherrystone, chowder, and littleneck.

Clam chowder should not be confused with the following seafood soups:

  • Bisque: a thick, smooth cream soup made from puréed seafood and/or vegetables
  • Gumbo: a highly seasoned meat or seafood stew
  • Stew: a chunky meat and vegetable dish with just enough liquid to cover its ingredients. A stew is thicker than soup.

Types of Clam Chowder

There are many types of chowders including:

  • Chicken chowder
  • Clam chowder
  • Corn chowder
  • Crab chowder
  • Lobster chowder
  • Potato chowder
  • Seafood chowder
  • Southern Illinois chowder: both a noun (a thick soup of onions, potatoes, and salt pork) and a verb (a gathering where this chowder is made).

What Is Clam Chowder Supposed to Taste Like?

New England clam chowder is a mix of creamy soup and briny, salty, chewy clams. This is complemented with soft onions, celery, and cubed potatoes. Seasonings like pepper enhance the soup, preventing it from being bland.

Is It Healthy to Eat Clam Chowder?

New England clam chowder can be high in calories, fat, and sodium. However, homemade recipes can be altered to substitute ingredients like swapping out heavy cream for low-fat milk. Clams are rich in nutrients like omega-3s, iron, vitamin B12, and protein.

Manhattan clam chowder is a healthier option because it is a tomato-based soup. However, this soup tends to be high in sodium. Eating chowder in moderation can make it a reasonable lunch or dinner. Seafood chowder is hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

Most Famous Clam Chowder

Let’s spoon. The most famous chowders can be found coast to coast. Here are some of the best clam chowders from the northeast United States.

Hanco*ck Gourmet Lobster Co.

Hanco*ck Gourmet Lobster Co. uses generations-old recipes to share a wicked good taste of Maine. Hanco*ck Gourmet Lobster Co.’s Clam Chowder is 32 delicious ounces of chopped hard-shell clams, diced potatoes, and authenticity.

The Clam Shack

The Clam Shack has been an institution in Kennebunkport, Maine, since 1968. The seafood shack is popular for lobster rolls, but they make an impressive New England clam chowder too. The Clam Shack’s Clam Chowder is thick and chock full of fresh, plump clams.

Blount’s Family Kitchen Soups’ New England Clam Chowder

Since 1880, the Blount family has been making their beloved soups. Their New England Clam Chowder is the real deal. Nothing beats a piping hot mug of this seafood chowder, especially on a cold day. It is thick and rich and loaded with clams, potatoes, spices, and love.

We love chowdah! America’s best restaurants, seafood markets, and seafood shacks are shipping the best clam chowder and seafood chowders nationwide on Goldbelly!

Shop Seafood Chowders

What is Clam Chowder? | Goldbelly (9)

Related Posts

  • Manhattan vs New England Clam Chowder

  • What is Ramen, Exactly?

  • What is Matzo Ball Soup, and Who Makes the Best?

  • What is a Lobster Roll?

  • What is Stone Crab?

  • Now Shipping: Joe’s Stone Crab!

  • National Clam Chowder Day

What is Clam Chowder? | Goldbelly (2024)

FAQs

What is Clam Chowder? | Goldbelly? ›

Clam chowder is a white milky or red tomato-y soup with clams and vegetables like onions and potatoes. Arguably, the most famous clam chowder is New England clam chowder. New England clam chowder is a rich soup with clams, dairy, bacon, and veggies like potatoes, onions, and celery.

What is clam chowder made of? ›

This delicious clam chowder is cream-based and calls for the traditional chowder ingredients: onion, celery, potatoes, diced carrots, cream, and clams. A little red wine vinegar is added before serving for extra flavor.

What is the meaning of clam chowder? ›

Clam chowder is any of several chowder soups in American cuisine containing clams. In addition to clams, common ingredients include diced potatoes, salt pork, and onions. Other vegetables are not typically used. It is believed that clams were used in chowder because of the relative ease of harvesting them.

What does clam chowder taste like? ›

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.

How good is clam chowder good for? ›

These recipes have protein that help in repairing the body cells and helps children to grow well among their peers. It also assists the body in producing new body cells when it is needed. It is a great find for kids, teenagers and pregnant women. With a 100g of clam you can get as high as 12.8g of protein.

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream.

What is the most popular clam chowder? ›

New England Clam Chowder is the most famous and most popular clam chowder. It's been around for centuries, so it's possible its longevity has contributed to its popularity.

Why is clam chowder so popular? ›

Either Nova Scotian, French, or English settlers first introduced clam chowder to people in New England, and it gained popularity for its savory flavor. Clams weren't always known or used as the go-to chowder ingredient.

What are the two kinds of clam chowder? ›

There are two main types of clam chowder: New England clam chowder and Manhattan clam chowder—and each seafood chowder recipe couldn't be more different. Clam chowder is a classic bowl of comfort food that harbors many opinions about which is best, and historically, the two types have caused controversy.

Why is clam chowder white? ›

New England style clam chowder is usually made with cream and it's usually thick and creamy that's the kind I like but then they started making it thinner and no cream but a white clam broth with chunks of clams and potatoes!

What do clams eat? ›

Organic particles in the correct size range are either plankton, detritus (decaying plant material), or bacteria. Studies have shown that phytoplankton (microscopic algae) are the primary food source of most filter-feeding bivalves.

What is the crunchy stuff in clam chowder? ›

Homemade clam chowder is an easy hearty soup that warms you up on a cold day, but it's also so light and satisfying. This creamy clam chowder recipe is loaded with tender clams, silky potatoes, and crunchy bacon.

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.

Are clams healthy? ›

Low in Calories, High in Protein

For those looking to maintain a healthy weight without compromising on protein intake, clams are a fantastic option. They offer a substantial amount of protein with relatively low-calorie content, making them a smart choice for those focused on weight management and overall well-being.

Can I eat clam chowder cold? ›

Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator and serve very cold, garnished with the chives. Cook's note: Always taste anything served cold for seasonings. Cold dishes often require a bit more salt than hot ones.

What makes chowder chowder instead of soup? ›

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.

Does New England clam chowder have meat in it? ›

Most basic recipes for clam chowder call for rendering down some form of salted pork (bacon or salt pork usually), sweating onions and celery in the rendered fat, a touch of flour, followed by milk, potatoes, chopped, and occasionally bottled clam juice.

Why is clam chowder so thick? ›

Also referred to as “Boston-style” clam chowder, New England chowder is milk or cream-based, making it significantly thicker than other regional styles. It's often made with milk, butter, potatoes, pork, onion, and clams and accompanied by oyster crackers.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6162

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.