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Home » Dinner » Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

by Sarah Olson on August 20, 2015 | Updated May 21, 2020 44 Comments

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collage of clam chowder recipes for pinterest

Forget a complicated recipe and make this easy slow cooker clam chowder. It still has the amazing clam chowder flavors your family loves.

clam chowder in slow cooker with red spoon in it.

I made this quick and easy slow cooker clam chowder while camping this last weekend. I remember the last time I made clam chowder in the travel trailer (it was not a slow cooker recipe), it was this amazing Emeril Lagasse New England Clam Chowder Recipe. We love that recipe but I need easy recipes for travel cooking.

This Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder recipe has very little chopping (just an onion!) and the hardest part is browning bacon, which I had browned the bacon for this recipe while I made breakfast. You won’t believe how good and thick this chowder is with these simple ingredients.

cream of potato soup, cream cheese, clams and bacon in front of slow cooker.

How to make Easy Clam Chowder:

You will need:

  • 21.5 oz. Cream of Potato Soup (two-10.75 oz. cans)
  • 21.5 oz. milk (measured in above cans)
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 13 oz. minced clams (two-6.5 oz cans) add clam juice from cans to the soup if desired.
  • ½ cup white onion, diced
  • 6 slices bacon cooked, browned and crumbled
  • dried thyme (optional)
Cream of potatoes soup, cream cheese, clams, bacon, onion and cream cheese in slow cooker (not stirred).

Directions:

  • Add everything to the slow cooker and stir. The cream cheese will melt into the soup during the cooking time.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
red and white mug with clam chowder in it.

Should I add the clam juice to my clam chowder?

If you love a strong clam flavor in your clam chowder, yes! Adding clam juice is okay to do and will give your chowder a great clam flavor.

More soup recipes you’ll love:

  • Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
  • Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew
  • Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup
  • Slow Cooker Ham Hocks and Dumplings
  • Slow Cooker Turkey and Brown Rice Soup
clam chowder in red and white mug

Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

5 from 11 votes
The easiest clam chowder you can make and it doesn't skimp on flavor.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Clam Chowder
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 602kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker Size: 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 21 oz. Cream of Potato Soup (two-10.50 oz. cans)
  • 21 oz. milk (measured in above cans)
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 13 oz. minced clams (two-6.5 oz cans) add the clam juice from cans to the soup if desired.
  • 1/2 cup white onion diced
  • 6 slices bacon cooked, browned and crumbled
  • 1/2 tsp. thyme (optional)

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

  • crackers
  • sourdough bread
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add everything into the slow cooker, including thyme, if using.
  • Stir until the cream cheese almost disappears into the mixture, some lumps are ok.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  • Serve with crackers and sourdough bread.
  • Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Should I add the clam juice to my clam chowder?

If you love a strong clam flavor in your clam chowder, yes! Adding clam juice is okay to do and will give your chowder a great clam flavor.

Nutrition:

Calories: 602kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 1942mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1403IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 293mg | Iron: 3mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Camping, Dinner, Soups Tagged With: camping, clam, Crock pot, dinner, slow cooker, soup

    Comments

    1. Donna says

      September 2, 2020 at 10:43 am

      Can this be frozen?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 2, 2020 at 3:41 pm

        I have not tried, I don’t usually have luck with dairy or potatoes.

        Reply
    2. Vicki Bush says

      April 28, 2020 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      This is a favorite with my family. Making it today in fact. Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    3. Carol says

      February 4, 2020 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      I made this today and it will now be added to my favorite recipes of all time! It is delicious! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Donna T. says

      December 11, 2019 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      This is a fantastic, quick recipe. My grocery store was out of Cream of Potato Soup (???). I substituted Cream of Mushroom Soup. Love mushrooms anyway. It turned out great. So, if you want a bit of a twist to your standard Clam Chowder try this. Hope you enjoy the twist.
      As a side note ~ I think next time I would bring my Cream Cheese to room temperature to make it easier to melt.

      Reply
    5. PAM MILLHOFF says

      November 13, 2019 at 4:03 am

      MY FAMILY LOVES CLAM CHOWDER! I CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT. ABOUT THE MILK, MY HUSB. HAS CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF) WILL THIS WORK WITH EITHER 1% OR FAT FREE INSTEAD? I’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. THANK-YOU SO MUCH; PAM M.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 13, 2019 at 7:16 am

        Yes! Either will work fine.

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          November 13, 2019 at 7:29 am

          THANK-YOU SO VERY MUCH!! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. PAM

          Reply
    6. Lori says

      November 7, 2019 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      I’ve been using this recipe for a couple of years and I love it! I also add a bunch of thinly diced potatoes too , it just adds to the heartiness of this chowder.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 7, 2019 at 12:47 pm

        Great idea, thank you for letting me know this tip.

        Reply
    7. Anonymous says

      October 21, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Very good.. I’ve been using this recipe for three years.. and my family loves it.. it’s fun to tweet it here and there.. super easy..

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 21, 2018 at 5:09 pm

        So great to hear, we love this recipe too.

        Reply
    8. Robert Clark says

      January 12, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Super easy and very very good!

      Reply
    9. Joni says

      December 17, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      Stupid question. Does the cooking time need to be adjusted if I want to double it?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 17, 2017 at 8:13 pm

        Not a stupid question! Some recipes I do think it needs more time, but I think for this one the same amount of time will work good.

        Reply
    10. Jinna says

      January 6, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Do you think it would work with chicken and a can of corn instead of clams for chicken corn chowder?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 6, 2016 at 11:17 am

        yes that would be good. Like a chicken corn chowder!

        Reply
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