Crockpot Clam Chowder {shortcut recipe}
91 Comments Aug 01, 2021
Updated May 20, 2025
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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 crockpot pulled pork while traveling in the RV or at vacation houses; cooking in a crock pot can feed a crowd quickly.
This easy crockpot clam chowder is creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor—perfect for when you want a satisfying seafood dish with minimal effort. It’s made with cream of potato soup, clams, cream cheese, bacon, and seasonings that melt together into a rich, hearty bowl. Serve with oyster crackers or sourdough bread for the ultimate cozy meal.
Manhattan clam chowder, on the other hand, is tomato-based with no cream. If you’re looking for the red version, try my Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe!
Key Ingredients
This recipe comes together quickly. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.
How to make Crockpot Clam Chowder
Make this chowder in two easy steps with my easy recipe:
Step One: Add the clams, cream cheese, cream of potato, bacon, thyme and pepper to the slow cooker.
Step Two: Add the milk and stir. Cook on LOW 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.
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
The Clam chowder looks delicious. What can I substitute for the Cream Cheese? One member of my family cannot eat cream cheese. Do you think Boursin cheese could be used?
I think boursin cheese will work, or heavy cream!
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.