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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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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. MANDY says

      January 1, 2016 at 4:12 am

      Made this for Christmas Eve and my whole family loved it sooo much! Ty 4 great recipe and so easy too! Perfect!!

      Reply
    2. Stacy says

      December 6, 2015 at 6:57 am

      Can you cook on high to lessen time?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 6, 2015 at 7:36 pm

        I think that would work fine!

        Reply
    3. Justine says

      December 3, 2015 at 9:22 am

      Would this be thick enough to put in a bread bowl?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 3, 2015 at 9:23 am

        Yes it would! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Nancy says

      October 21, 2015 at 4:18 pm

      If you are looking for a clam chowder where you can taste the clams this isn’t it. This was more like a potato soup with bacon and the bacon did not go well with the clams. The cream cheese makes this too too heavy. I hate leaving a negative comment but this was so NOT good I had to throw it away.

      Reply
    5. lisa ovard says

      September 14, 2015 at 11:26 am

      is that regular milk or is that evaporated can milk you used??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 14, 2015 at 11:31 am

        I used regular milk, and it did fine! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Linda Pedery says

      September 12, 2015 at 4:54 am

      5 stars
      Second time making so easy and delicious!!!

      Reply
    7. Patty says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      I’m allergic to onions! Would this recipe be okay without them?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm

        Yes it would still be great! 🙂

        Reply
    8. April J Harris (@apriljharris) says

      August 24, 2015 at 10:21 am

      Love clam chowder, Sarah, and your recipe sounds delicious! I also love how easy it is to put together!

      Reply
    9. Mcfar says

      August 24, 2015 at 6:32 am

      You could have all ingredients needing prepping done ahead of time and bagged up ready to pop in slow cooker! Looks good!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 24, 2015 at 6:35 am

        Yes, this could easily be a freezer meal!

        Reply
    10. Catherine says

      August 24, 2015 at 6:03 am

      I absolutely love this…perfect anytime of year. I have to start using my slow cooker more often. My family would enjoy this very much. xo, Catherine

      Reply
    11. Bob says

      August 23, 2015 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      I made it exact same way but i used shrimp.

      Reply
    12. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says

      August 22, 2015 at 12:31 pm

      Oh yum! Clam chowder is one of my son’s and I’s favorites. I am definitely going to give this recipe a go soon. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Grandma Kc says

      August 22, 2015 at 10:29 am

      Your cooking was making those chipmunks hungry! Your chowder does sound easy and delicious and with bacon and cream cheese it would have to be!

      Reply
    14. Sandra - The Foodie Affair says

      August 21, 2015 at 7:42 pm

      This chowder looks so good! Such a great idea to use your slow cooker while camping! That chipmunk tried its hardest to break into your chowder!

      Reply
    15. reneeskitchenadventures says

      August 21, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      I love a good chowder. I know I’ll be making this one. It’s so easy!

      Reply
    16. Shelby says

      August 21, 2015 at 4:59 am

      Too funny about the chipmunks! However, if that happened here, it could likely be bears that got into the crockpot and there would be nothing left for us! lol

      Reply
    17. LisaB says

      August 20, 2015 at 8:20 am

      This sounds and loos delish. Putting this on my soon to make list. Thank you.

      Reply
    18. Meg says

      August 20, 2015 at 8:20 am

      Since ingredients (except for clams) are precooked, why does it require 6-8 hours. Don’t the clams get tough?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 20, 2015 at 8:34 am

        No they didn’t get tough. The long cooking time makes all the flavors come together better. The onions would be raw if you cooked for less time. 🙂

        Reply
        • Meg says

          August 20, 2015 at 8:40 am

          Super! Definitely trying this. Thanks! 🙂

          Reply
    19. Sonsie Hollingsworth says

      August 20, 2015 at 8:11 am

      That’s called Manhattan clam chowder …. but I don’t have a recipe . Just wanted to let you know ! Have a great day !

      Reply
    20. Karen says

      August 20, 2015 at 7:38 am

      Do you have a recipe for New England clam chowder the red one.

      Reply
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