Slow Cooker Clam Chowder is so easy to make with a deliciously creamy, briny flavor mixed with smoky crispy bits of bacon and rich buttery yukon potatoes.
Slow Cooker Clam Chowder
Slow Cooker Clam Chowder is an easy fall soup you’ll enjoy as well as great gameday food you can make for a crowd. We often serve this clam chowder in a bread bowl, but even more often I pile it into a giant bowl and throw a huge handful of oyster crackers on top.
The flavors in the soup scream “hey its not swimsuit weather anymore!” with half and half, bacon, potatoes and clams, but just a small bowl will keep you warm and full for HOURS. We went skiing last winter a lot and one of the few meals I made in our hotel mini kitchen was this soup. After a long day of playing in the snow, you’re going to love this thick, rich bacon filled chowder. Can I just be super bold and say this is the best clam chowder in the world?
The recipe for this clam chowder actually started as a back of the can recipe that I’ve added and subtracted ingredients from over the years. Since then I’ve actually entered this chowder into multiple office contests when I worked in an office and in one local soup challenge. The results, this is an award winning clam chowder recipe! I have the free movie tickets I won to prove it!
Tips for making this Slow Cooker Clam Chowder:
- Get your bacon nice and crisp but not browned. The browned bacon will add an overcooked flavor to the soup.
- You can swap out the half and half for milk, you may need to mash some of the potatoes to add thickness to the soup.
- I’ve also made the Clam Chowder with heavy cream before and it is an indulgent treat!
- You can top with parsley as I have or chopped chives which add flavor as well as freshness.
- Want to make this clam chowder even better? My secret flavor boost is Clam Base. It isn’t something people generally keep in their kitchens so I left it as an optional ingredient in the directions, but I always add it!
- If you don’t want to buy Clam Base you can also buy Clam Juice to replace the water.
What is the difference between New England Clam Chowder and Manhattan Clam Chowder?
Manhattan Clam Chowder uses tomatoes and is often referred to as Manhattan Red Chowder.
Q&A about the vegetables in this Slow Cooker Clam Chowder:
- I used Yukon potatoes for their rich and buttery texture. You can also use red potatoes.
- I added celery because I love the added flavor of it and it reminds me of a lobster roll. You can also add carrots.
- For a huge flavor boost sauté your veggies in the bacon fat before adding (they will look less pretty in the soup).
- Garlic is a flavor not added to some clam chowders but I find it adds a great flavor to the soup which still tastes like your favorite classic chowder.
Looking for more Slow Cooker Soups?
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup
- Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup
- Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup
Tools used in the making of this Slow Cooker Clam Chowder:
3 Qt. Slow Cooker: The perfect size for side dishes for 10-12 people, this slow cooker is an absolute bargain and a workhorse.
Cast Iron Skillet: If you don’t have a slow cooker with a stovetop friendly insert, this is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.
Chopped Clams: I always use this brand and always use pre-chopped. You can also sub baby clams but the texture would be different than a classic clam chowder.
Clam Base: I almost never buy boxes of broth because I keep the beef, chicken and vegetable version of this Better Than Bouillon. Or you can use clam juice in place of the water too if you’d like.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon diced
- 3 cans clams (6.5 ounce, not drained)
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 4 yukon potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups water *
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large cast iron skillet on medium high heat cook the bacon until crisp, then remove from the pan.**
- Add half of the bacon, clams, onion, potatoes, celery, garlic, water, Kosher salt, black pepper and thyme into the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook on low for 7 hours and refrigerate the remaining bacon for serving with the soup.
- In a measuring cup add the half and half with the cornstarch and whisk together.
- Add in the half and half mixture to the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook on high for 30 minutes.
- Serve with the remainder of the bacon sprinkled over the top.***
Notes
- * I add 1 tablespoon of Clam Base to the water to pump up the clam flavor in the chowder. Totally optional though.
- ** Truth? When I don't need it to look all pretty, I brown the onions and potatoes in this bacon fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
- *** You may want to heat the bacon slightly before sprinkling it on top since it will be cold from the refrigerator.
53 yrs old been digging razor clams since I first went with my grandpa ( my entire family ) 3 yrs old. I’m told but around 5 when I really remember. Washington state where I’m from.. all my great aunts 15 in all. Laid claim to making the best clam chowder on the planet. So not bragging but I’ve had the luxury of eating the best , made by the best. This recipe without a doubt takes the back seat to none of them. Absolutely delicious. My favorite great aunt who is 103. Says it’s her all time favorite. She makes the best clam chowder known to man. Thank you for making me a guru !!!
How do I print the recipe without those boxes on the left side of the recipe? When I print out the recipe the boxes cover the measurements.
can i use whole milk only to make the new england clam chowder. will it still get thick
Made for Game Day, with a few changes for 12 servings:
Doubled the garlic, added extra potatoes, substituted 1 cup of the water with 1 cup clam juice, doubled the cornstarch as it called for only 3 teaspoons and was still very thin, and I like it a bit thicker. also threw in all the bacon instead of reserving some for topping individual bowels.
Turned out fantastic, guests went back for multiple helpings. Also cooked on high in slow cooker instead of low and don’t think there was any difference.
No reason to look any further for a great recipe!
Thank you so much for sharing.
If cooking on HIGH instead of Low … what is the cooking time reduced to in the crockpot? Thx
This clam chowder was delicious! I only had two cans of clams do I added a can of tuna which wasn’t even noticeable. I also didn’t have half and half do I used evaporated milk instead. I used bacon for the chowder, ran out so used bacon bits at the end.
I recommend tapioca flour instead of cornstarch. I’ve been using the tapioca flour as a thickener for months now and it never fails! For a roux I still use flour but the tapioca flour far out performs cornstarch as an end of cooking thickener! Lends a glossy cast to the food as well!
Question. In one comment your said replace water with clam base (that’s two cups). In another you said just one tablespoon of clam base. Can you clarify?
Hi! I add one tablespoon of clam base to the water.
Can I freeze this?
Hi Danielle, towards the end of the blog writing there is a section that gives directions on how to store or cook ahead meals.
This was the hands down absolute best clam chowder I’ve ever tasted! Normally I like what I cook but but am not blown away by it. This was happily not the case with this soup. The recommendation of browning the potatoes and onions in the bacon grease was genius. My aunt had the same reaction I had. A+
My husband loves clam chowder, so I thought I would give this a try for him. This is the very BEST stew or soup I have ever made AND easy to make!! Just amazing!!
Great reviews from my huband as well, he has spent some time in Boston having clam chowder there. He told me it was the best clam chowder he has ever had to, which made me feel wonderful!
Also clams are high in iron, my mother has problems with needing her hemoglobin increased due to the cancer treatments she is getting. Clams are SUPER high in iron and this is a perfect recipe for them as well! & easy enough recipe my Dad can make it.
Think using good bacon, not the cheap stuff makes a big difference for an amazing flavor. We used smoked hickory bacon from the butcher, not the cheep thin stuff, a little more expense but worth every penny.
Many thanks for this recipe, I LOVE your sight and the recipes, have tried several others, like the Jerk Chicken that have all come out really well!
So glad you are sharing your recipes on Dinner then Dessert, it is slowly making me a better cook! MANY THANKS!!
Just made this with a few personal changes. 1st thank you! This us so delicious and already gluten free, bonus for me.
I used leaks instead of onions and heavy cream, big hit!
I put this in my slow cooker without thoroughly reading recipe 🙁
I added the half and half cream in right away, instead of at the end. Will it still turn out? :/
Hi Pam, im sorry! I haven’t tried it that way so I don’t know what the results will be.
Did the same thing…did it taste ok???
So I truly thought my mom had the absolute best clam chowder recipe, love you mom but THIS has to be the best hand down. I tweaked it a bit, substituted chicken broth for the water, added more corn starch also added diced carrots. I also sautéed the veggies in the bacon dripping ? I doubled the recipe, served this for a celebration of life get together at our home for a dear friend we recently lost. Many brought dishes that were all wonderful but most came back for 2nds and 3rds for THIS soup. I now have the best clam chowder recipe on earth. THANK YOU Sabrina !!!
I don’t think there is a more amazing compliment that that. Seriously, thank you so much!
Did I turn out ? I did the same and now have 6 long hours to see
Can I cook it on high for 4 hours instead of 7 on low? Or will it burn?
Uhhhh I’d show you a picture of this recipe but I can’t because my family just demolished the whole thing!!! Sooo good – thank you!!
Omg nummiez. Always been my favorite, BUT i never had it by scratch til now, and wanted to end Winter in a yummy way. Very good and went very well with a bread pocket i made by scratch. FIRST time ever making this wonderful soup, and all i can say is WOW…i will never eat the canned version again, lmao…i’m hooked. Tyvm for an awesome recipe i enjoyed immensely.
Really good! The only thing I did differently was use peppered bacon because that was what I had. Would I use it again…no, I will use another bacon. I did use the clam base and that is such a great enhancement I wouldn’t go without it! Unless you shop in a very large grocery store you don’t even realize the different flavors, Better Than Bouillion makes. Take the time and order on Amazon before making it.
I made this for Christmas and it was so delicious. My daughter said it was the best best soup I had ever made and asked me to please make it every Christmas. I make a bunch of soups and appetizers in crockpots on Christmas every year and make sure they are ready at lunchtime and then leave them on warm til 8 so folks can get food as they stop by. I was a little nervous to leave this one on warm so long with the half and half but it was fine. Next year I will need to double since we ran out at dinner time. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m so glad it was a hit, Holly.
Hi Sabrina just making this today for the first time Love the bacon flavor Next time if I tried salt pork how much would I use I would sauté the veggies in it and how much would I use
Thank you
Wayne
I am just seeing this tonight. I am sure the recipe has long been cooked/or not but I still want to try to help.
I’d say a 1/2 cup of salt pork chopped.
So sorry again for the delay.
Im looking to make this for Christmas Eve ( along with many more fish dishes) we are 11 people. would I need to double the recipe? If so do I cook for the same amount of time?
I don’t think you need to double it, unless you want leftovers. I would just increase it by 25% and that should give you enough. It may need an additional 30 minutes of cook time with the increased amount. Just make sure to use a slow cooker that’s big enough and it’s not overfilled. Good luck!
I’m planning on trying this recipe when it cools off a little more because it looks delicious. I’m a fan of very thick chowdah, so I am planning on using heavy whipping cream instead of half and half. Do you know if adding more corn starch would also help thicken it?
It would 🙂
This was very tasty chowder, the thyme and sauteing the vegetables in bacon fat really put it over the top. Our local Walmart didn’t have clam juice so I just stuck with water + canned clam juice, still delicious but next time I will definitely try using twice as many cans for the extra clams and juice to see what I’m missing.
I poured in the juice from the clams at the beginning but waited to mix in the clams themselves until the chowder was done because they’re already cooked in the can and just need to be warmed, and I tripled the cornstarch for a more chowder-like consistency. Also didn’t have 7 hours to cook this but 3.5 hours on high was perfect for my slow cooker.
I’m an old guy and not very creative when it comes to cooking. That makes me a recipe cooker. Until this recipe, I had never had a clam chowder that I really enjoyed enough to make it again or buy it often – until this recipe. It probably sounds silly. However. when my wife tasted this recipe she said, “Don’t ever buy clam chowder again, make it instead”. The only deviation from your recipe I made was I bought heavy cream instead, by mistake. I have stuck with it ever since. Also, I increased all the ingredients by 50% to fill the crockpot. I have been making this every 10 days or so for several months. I thank you, my wife thanks you and company thas come to dinner and had it thank you.
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest!! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy that you love the recipe so much.
Very tasty soup but very watery even after adding 4 Tablespoons of Cornstarch. It was very much a soup not a Chowder. I guess being from New England we know our Chowder.
Great recipe my family and everyone I cook for loves it. Even my husband who hates everything. I had no thyme so I used oregano which worked great. The second time I made it I added more clams , made the potatoes easier and just bought diced canned ones. I used clam juice instead of water which made the flavor even better. I added the veggies my family likes and a can of cream celery. I used a quart of half and half to make more and did a simple rue with butter and flour to thicken it up. I just decided to make it less work. Still a great recipe so thank you.
Do I have to peel the potatoes? What if I don’t peel them?
You’re fine either way. 🙂
Can I use cream cheese instead of half and half?
I’ve not tested it so if you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turns out. You can always substitute milk with a tablespoon of melted butter for each cup of half and half.
I substitute cream of celery soup in place of fresh celery and in place of cornstarch. If it needs thickening I add a bit of Parmesan cheese
This was sooooo DELICIOUS!! It was so EASY to make and my husband couldn’t stop talking about how good it was. I told my mother about it and she can’t wait to make it. Everything turned out Perfect! The potatoes were perfect! I will be making this ALOT!
Aw that is so awesome! So glad you all liked it and it’s going to be a family favorite!
2 TSP of cornstarch didn’t thicken the soup so I added quite a bit more. The cook time was about half what the recipe says. All in all, a nice, tasty soup.
Quick question: what if I were to omit the bacon? I’m currently avoiding all meats except seafood, but this recipe sounds delicious! Thanks in advance!
Feel free to leave it out. Enjoy!
Forget it meat makes everything better
Delicious and easy, it took less than 4 hours on low to cook though!
Can we replace one cup of water for clam juice?
I’ve never tried it that way but it sounds amazing!
I made this and it was awesome! I followed directions to the “t” and used whipped cream rather than the half and half. (It’s not bathing suit weather) It was wonderful. My husband didn’t wish to wait for another serving. I had the leftovers in a freezer bag and he pulled them out for more!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Thanks for dropping by to let me know, Joyce! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it!
My husband has a recreational clamming license and dug some beautiful surf (hen) clams last fall, which we froze. We are in Maine and expecting 2 feet of snow tomorrow so plan to make this. Thinking I may add some other seafood as well. Can’t wait to try it!
Sounds delicious!
How many Calories per cup?
I’ve updated the recipe card to show the nutritional information. Hope this helps!
How much is in each serving?
About 1 cup 🙂 Enjoy!
Can I make this a day before and refrigerate it. I would like to make out for my dad and take it to him.
Yes 🙂
My family loved it! And said was the best clam chowder ?
Woohoo!! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Hey! I have a question. Could I use fresh clams? And after they are cleaned do they need to be precooked?
Yes, add them in once cleaned. You’ll need to add some bottled clam juice though since there won’t be any clam nectar. Enjoy!
Hey. Your recipe sounds amazing, but I have a 6qt slow cooker so was thinking of doubling the recipe. How would that change the cooking time?
You might need to add an additional hour to the cook time. Enjoy!
Hi Betsy, I put the clams in when the chowder is done. The heat from the chowder warms them to the perfect temp. After all, if the clams are canned they are already cooked. Never a rubbery clam will be had.
Do I add the half and half mixture after cooking for 7 hours?
Yes 🙂
I plan on trying this, but like my clam chowder on the thick side. Is this thick? How can I make it thicker if needed?
I think it’s pretty thick but you could always mash some of the potatoes to thicken it more. Enjoy!
This was last night’s dinner and it was wonderful!! You were the center of conversation around the dinner table last night. (Was your nose itching?) 🙂 I’m not a big fan of clam chowder and I thought it was really good so that’s gotta say something! I doubled the recipe because a 3 quart crock pot wouldn’t last long around here and I wanted some left over for his lunch. Saving half of the bacon until serving time was ingenous. Nice touch! It really enhanced the flavor! I had a question though – in your notes you mentioned that for added flavor to saute the veggies in the bacon fat. Did you mean the potatoes too? I wasn’t sure so I just did the onions, celery, and garlic.
It was 9 degrees when my hub’s walked out to go to work with his thermos chock full of hot clam chowder and a croissant on the side. Who knew that after 30 years of marriage all it took to make my man super happy was a thermos full of Sabrina’s soup on a cold winter day! As always, keep ’em coming! ~C
I’m so glad you enjoyed the chowder! You can never go wrong with sautéing in bacon fat 🙂 You can definitely add the potatoes in that process.
My mom used to make fish chowder and added salt pork. Really tasty. I have only made corn chowder in my cooker. I have a new slow cooker but also one from the 70’s that is a regular cooker, has heavy insert for slow cooking and wire basket insert for deep frying.
Hi! Is slow cooker same as crock pot? Thank you
Yes 🙂
I’ve been looking for a great clam chowder recipe!
Yay, no need to look any further!! I hope you enjoy it!
Love your recipe but I can’t find clam base anymore ?I guess they stopped making it. Any suggestions for a substitute? It added such rich flavor
I don’t remember the last time I did this but making it on the slow cooker is a great idea. Loving your version!
Thank you!
Just in time for the soup season! I can’t wait to try this!
Yes!!
I want to try this recipe. Just wondering if the clams stay tender and not get rubbery like some I have cooked. Any secrets to share to keep that from happening?
Thank you , Betsy
The clams were pretty tender!
I LOVE clam chowder, but I have never tried making it myself before! Thank you for the recipe. 🙂
You’re welcome, Carrie!
Bring on the slow cooker meals!
You got it!!
I remember my grandmother making this soup growing up. I love the idea of letting is slow cook in the crock pot!
You know how much I love my slow cookers!!
Clam chowder is such a fantastic winter soup… and definitely a favorite in our house!!
The colder weather definitely makes you want to snuggle up with a bowl! Enjoy!!
Thanks Sabrina, looks like a great recipe & I will try it out on Friday (clam chowder day?)
One request…could you please give an aproximation of how many cups/oz is one onion…two stalks celery….four potatoes and so on? I’m an experienced cook & pretty much know the quantities of vegetables I want in a recipe. But my daughter-in-law is not so experienced and has a problem with the quantities unless the recipe states 1 cup, or 3 oz of something.
This is just a suggestion not a criticism & you are not the only blogger/chef/recipe author that does not state more exact quantities. Just my opinion. Thanks.
PattiAnn
No worries PattiAnn! I joke that its a good thing that I do minimal sweets because I’m the queen of “oh throw in one of these.”
Here are some ratios I would stick to:
1 – 1 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup finely diced celery
2 – 2 1/2 cup chopped potatoes
2 teaspoons minced garlic
For the ones with variation, I’d err on the lower amount, but if you find you have a half/quarter cup or so of ingredients left over just go ahead and throw them into the mix.