Crockpot Clam Chowder {shortcut recipe}
91 Comments Aug 01, 2021
Updated Jun 16, 2025
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This crockpot clam chowder has all the decadent flavors you expect, but with not much effort! Perfect for dinner any night of the week.
Recipe Highlights
- Minimal prep with little chopping
- Made with canned soup and basic spices
- Rich, restaurant-quality flavor
- Easy crockpot method—just dump and go
- Want the tomato-based version? Try my Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder
Key Ingredients
Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.
- Cream of Potato Soup – The shortcut base that adds creamy texture without extra steps like making a roux.
- Minced Clams – Canned clams offer classic flavor and convenience.
- Cream Cheese – Melts into the soup for rich, velvety body.
- Bacon – Adds a smoky depth.
- Thyme & Black Pepper – A simple blend that enhances the seafood.
- White Onion – Finely minced to melt into the chowder for subtle savory flavor.
How to make Crockpot Clam Chowder
- Toss everything into your slow cooker—even the cream cheese cubes.
- Let it simmer low and slow until creamy, rich, and irresistible.
- Stir, scoop, and serve.
Variations
Here are ways to change up this recipe:
- If you want a strong clam flavor, add some clam juice from the canned clams, I would add about a half-cup. If you want a big punch of clam flavor, add one cup of bottled clam juice.
- Fresh clams can be used. Cook the fresh clams, baby clams, or razor clams in boiling water on the stove top for 8-10 minutes. Remove the clams from the water and pull the meat from the shells. Add to the chowder in the slow cooker.
- Stir in a cup of sweet corn kernels for a bit of texture and natural sweetness.
- You can make this clam chowder without bacon and still have great results.
My Serving Suggestions
Here is how we like to serve this clam chowder. Who needs a seafood restaurant when your homemade clam chowder looks this good?
- Serve your crockpot clam chowder recipe in a bowl with saltine crackers or oyster crackers.
- For a restaurant style, top your chowder with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of paprika.
- Warm sourdough bread and butter is an excellent side for chowder.
- You can serve the soup in a bread bowl for an extra special touch..
Featured Comment
“I made this today and it will now be added to my favorite recipes of all time! It is delicious! Thank you for sharing.”
– Carol
This is one of my favorite recipes to take on vacations. I also make ravioli lasagna and crockpot pulled pork while traveling in the RV or at vacation houses; cooking in a crock pot can feed a crowd quickly.
Crockpot Clam Chowder Recipe
How to Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 21 oz. Cream of Potato Soup, (two-10.50 oz. cans)
- 21 oz. milk, (measured in above cans) use whole milk for an extra creamy soup
- 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed – Philadelphia brand melts the best.
- 13 oz. minced clams, (two-6.5 oz cans) drained (see notes for adding the clam juice)
- 1/2 cup white onion, finely minced
- 8 slices bacon, sliced, cooked and drained
- 1/2 tsp. dried leaf thyme (not ground), or two teaspoons fresh
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add everything into the slow cooker.
- Stir. Don't worry about the cream cheese mixing in, it will melt as the slow cooker heats up.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. Stir occasionally so the soup doesn't scorch. This is a thicker soup and can tend to stick to the edges.
- Serve with desired sides and toppings!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More crockpot soup recipes you’ll love:
Warm up with Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana, loaded with sausage and kale, or try Slow Cooker Busy Day Soup, a quick, hearty option with meat and veggies.
For something rich and comforting, Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup and Turkey Chowder are creamy, flavorful picks that come together with minimal effort. Another seafood recipe we love is Cream of Crab Soup.
Crockpot Corn Chowder and Ham and Green Bean Chowder are great ways to use up leftovers and bring bold, comforting flavors to the dinner table.
Mine is very similar. I use the same brands of potato soup and chopped clams with the clam juice. And the whole milk
I also add half a pkg imitation crab chunks i cut the larger chunks in half. I like the big white fish chunks in it.
Old Bay to taste
Dried chopped onion for a toasted onion taste
Dried dill
Fresh cracked black pepper
And 10 slices of Government American cheese
It’s a harder more like real cheese than the individualy wrapped ones.
On my gas stove i put on as low as it goes till it’s up to temp. Sooo good and rich.
Yours reminded me so much of mine, just had to share
Greetings Shara
IN your clam chowder do you or have you added clam juice?
I do not, but I know many do enjoy that.
Made this again today. Tastes great. I did add more milk and potato soup to make a larger batch. I also wanted it even thicker so I added a little cornstarch. Highly recommend this recipe. Great winter meal
Will fat free cream cheese work in this recipe?
I have not tested, but I’m sure it will be fine.