Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder
83 Comments Aug 01, 2021
Updated Apr 16, 2024
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Creamy crockpot clam chowder with simple ingredients and very little prep. This recipe tastes so good, and the slow cooker does all the work for you, leaving plenty of time to do other things.
This is one of my favorite recipes to take on vacations. I also make ravioli lasagna and pulled pork while traveling in the RV or at vacation houses; cooking in a crock pot can feed a crowd quickly.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- If you are looking for an easy dinner idea that leaves you with plenty of time to relax this weekend, or make a busy weeknight less stressful, then this semi-homemade clam chowder might be exactly what you’re looking for!
- This recipe has all the elements of a successful clam chowder but with a few shortcuts. It turns out ultra-creamy and decadent. You won’t even know you added anything canned!
- I find that this is the best clam chowder soup recipe out there. Even the pickiest family member enjoys this wonderful dinner dish if I keep the flavor milder. If you want the red version, try my Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe!
- We make this recipe when we are camping on the coast in our RV. It’s just as good as any restaurant clam chowder when we are dining out on the Oregon coast.
What is the difference between Manhattan Clam Chowder and New England Clam Chowder?
- New England clam chowder consists of a hearty broth with potatoes, onions, celery, and including clams. It’s thick and creamy. (This recipe is New England style).
- Manhattan red chowder is tomato based with no cream.
This easy clam chowder is a godsend- just throw your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do all the work for you.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cream of Potato Soup – you won’t even taste this after you add the other ingredients. It adds the potatoes to the dish, which cuts back on the cooking time.
- Milk – use whole milk for an extra cream soup; if you have heavy cream or half and half on hand, that works just as well.
- Cream cheese – thickens the soup; I prefer the Philadelphia brand, for it melts the best.
- Canned Minced Clams – Canned clams taste great in clam chowder, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Add the clam juice from cans to the soup for more flavor. Or you can add bottled clam juice as well.
- White onion – finely minced for this doesn’t have a long cooking time to break down large chunks of onion.
- Bacon – sliced, cooked, and drained.
- Dried Leaf Thyme – is optional, but in my opinion, this makes the crock pot clam chowder recipe taste restaurant quality.
- Freshly ground black pepper
How long do I cook?
- The slow cooker should be on low heat for 4-5 hours.
- I like to stir this recipe occasionally during cooking, for it’s a thicker soup that can start sticking to the edges.
Can I use an instant pot instead?
Instant Pot clam chowder is also an excellent choice if you’re in a hurry, but I find that the flavors don’t melt together the same way they do if you use the crockpot for cooking your New England clam chowder.
Ways to serve
- 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. Just carve a circle out of the middle of a small round loaf of sourdough bread. Make sure not to cut too deep- you don’t want your chowder leaking out the bottom of the bowl! Place the bread bowl on a plate with the circle next to the bowl. Add your preferred toppings and serve. Who needs a seafood restaurant when your homemade clam chowder looks this good?
Recipe FAQs
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.
Since clams have a short shelf life, do not store it longer than three days to be on the safe side.
Cream and potaotes do not freeze well, so it’s better to store leftovers in the fridge and eat them within a few days.
No! The bacon can be omitted if needed for lent; this chowder still has plenty of flavor without it.
Yes. 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.
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Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder
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
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- oyster crackers
- sourdough bread
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 crackers and sourdough bread if desired.
- Enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I have not tried this yet, but it looks really good. Just wondering, one of our local restaurants serves Shrimp and Corn Chowder which is scrumptious! Could this Chowder base be used with shrimp and corn, leaving out the clam? Is it worth a try?
I think that would be a great soup with this base!
I Iove clam chowder but don’t like potatoes in my soup. Can I omit them? Thank you.
You would want to use a different soup. Possibly cream of chicken, or cream of celery.
Might the clams be substituted with raw shrimp?
I would add them towards the end.
when should we add the dairy as we are not suppose to let it cook longer then 1.5 hrs as the dairy products will curdle
I’ve been cooking this for year (as well as hundreds of other slow cooker recipes). The dairy doesn’t curdle on this.
Very delicious!
If I triple the ingredients, would it fit into a 20 quart crock pot? Ask would it be the same cook time?
I think it would do fine. You may be able to triple it in a 6-7 quart crockpot.
How do I thicken soup
You can make a mixture of cornstarch and cold water. Add to the hot soup and let cook until thickened.
What should I add if I omit the potato soup?
Cream of celery, onion or mushroom soup. I’m unsure what else to use without testing the recipe agian.
Don’t the clams get rubbery after cooking them so long?
No. I don’t think so.