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25 Chowder Recipes That’ll Warm You Up on the Chilliest Nights

Nothing Compares 2…a warm, rich chowder on a cold day. (That’s what Sinead was singing about, right?) As such, we strongly suggest you skip that dinner in a fancy restaurant and opt for a homemade bowl of comfort instead. Here, a roundup of chowder recipes that are simple to make and spoon-licking good, from classic clam to a showstopping lobster bisque.

And yes, while we’re covering the traditional soups that come to mind when you think chowder—namely, seafood varieties—we’re going with a liberal definition of the term, including other roux-thickened versions, like broccoli cheddar and ham and potato. Keep an open mind.


chowder recipes parsnip chowder with crispy sage
Feed Me Phoebe

1. Parsnip Chowder With Crispy Sage

Sweet parsnip, creamy coconut milk and aromatic sage combine to make this low-FODMAP and dairy-free (yet undeniably decadent) chowder from Coterie member Phoebe Lapine. File this one under guilt-free comfort food.

chowder recipes simple lobster bisque
Feasting at Home

2. Simple Lobster Bisque

Fresh tarragon, brown butter-basted lobster and sherry make this silky bisque sing—but the real secret is the homemade lobster stock, which imparts a rich, complex flavor that you just can’t achieve with a store-bought broth.

chowder recipes gluten free quinoa and cauliflower chowder
Foodie Crush

3. Gluten-free Quinoa And Cauliflower Chowder

Thyme and bay leaf-scented milk make a creamy and aromatic base, while quinoa adds textural interest and extra heartiness to this comforting cauliflower chowder, courtesy of Coterie member Heidi Larsen. Let’s just say this one checks all the boxes.

chowder recipes crockpot ham and potato soup
Spend with Pennies

4. Crockpot Ham And Potato Soup

The palate-pleasing combination of salty ham and starchy potatoes in this easy Crockpot chowder promises to satisfy the stomach. Best of all, you can whip it up without breaking a sweat (or the bank, for that matter).

chowder recipes seafood gumbo
Grandbaby Cakes

5. Seafood Gumbo

Oysters, crab meat and shrimp bathe in a bold and spicy broth in this authentic, Creole-style seafood gumbo. Your mind will be blown by this flavor bomb…if you can get your roux right, that is.

chowder recipes shrimp and corn chowder with chives
Feed Me Phoebe

6. Shrimp And Corn Chowder With Chives

Lighten things up with this elevated take on a classic corn chowder, which features tender, meaty shrimp and copious amounts of fresh corn swimming in a silky coconut milk broth.

chowder recipes creamy crab bisque
My Forking Life

7. Creamy Crab Bisque

Seafood lovers will swoon for this one-pot wonder—a rich, tomato-based bisque that boasts the sweet flavor of crabmeat and a divinely creamy consistency. Best of all, it takes a mere 30 minutes to make.

chowder recipes mushroom potato chowder
Damn Delicious

8. Mushroom Potato Chowder

Mushrooms dial up the umami and fresh thyme brightens the flavor profile of this velvety potato chowder. Consider it comfort food with class.

chowder recipes broccoli cheese soup
Gimme Some Oven

9. Broccoli Cheese Soup

The broccoli and cheese combo in this hearty, decadent soup will make you feel like a kid again. Oh, and the recipe is so easy, a kid could probably make it.

chowder recipes dairy free new england clam chowder
Feed Me Phoebe

10. Dairy-free New England Clam Chowder

The seafood flavor really shines through in this take on a New England clam chowder, thanks to a light, dairy-free broth that’s positively loaded with clams.

chowder recipes wild mushroom chowder with bacon and leeks
The Modern Proper

11. Wild Mushroom Chowder With Bacon And Leeks

Here, a savory and creamy chowder featuring a dream team of bacon, potatoes, leeks and chanterelles. We’d call it a crowd-pleaser, but it’s kind of too tasty to share.

chowder recipes white lasagna soup
Grandbaby Cakes

12. White Lasagna Soup

You don’t have to feel bad about cozying up to a bowl of this insanely rich and cheesy deconstructed lasagna soup, ‘cause the leafy greens and carrots make it semi-virtuous.

chowder recipes creamy sausage and cabbage soup
Spend with Pennies

13. Creamy Sausage And Cabbage Soup

Italian sausage and cabbage are a match made in heaven—particularly when swimming in a flavorful, gravy-like broth. Pair this one with a slice of crusty bread and you’ll be on cloud nine.

chowder recipes healthy crockpot corn chowder
Foodie Crush

14. Healthy Crockpot Corn Chowder

An unexpected herb, marjoram, gives this light, veggie-packed Crockpot chowder a serious flavor boost, while the fresh corn provides a pleasantly toothsome texture. Set it, forget it and thank us later.

chowder recipes cajun clam chowder
Grandbaby Cakes

15. Cajun Clam Chowder

Classic clam chowder gets an extra kick from andouille sausage, bacon and Cajun spices, and the end result is decidedly more exciting. Bonus points if you spring for the bread bowl.

chowder recipes chicken gnocchi soup
Butter Be Ready

16. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

An Olive Garden favorite you can enjoy at home whenever you please that consists of fluffy and oh-so filling little gnocchi floating in a comforting, creamy chicken chowder. Yes, please.

chowder recipes summer squash and corn chowder
Gimme Some Oven

17. Summer Squash And Corn Chowder

Seasonal veggies sing in this mild chowder, which combines summer squash and sweet corn. The cheddar and bacon garnish is the kind of finishing touch that’ll convince you to add this soup to your regular weeknight rotation.

chowder recipes slow cooker chicken pot pie soup
Spend with Pennies

18. Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Coming home to find this rich and creamy deconstructed chicken pot pie waiting for you in your crock pot is like getting a warm hug at the end of a long day.

chowder recipes cauliflower chowder
Damn Delicious

19. Cauliflower Chowder

Trust us—you won’t be sad you passed on potatoes once you taste this crave-worthy, low-carb cauliflower chowder.

chowder recipes vegan potato leek soup
Well Plated by Erin

20. Vegan Potato Leek Soup

Proof that you really can have it all—this vegan potato leek soup is equal parts decadent comfort food and fresh, light fare. It’s also downright delicious.

chowder recipes simple salmon chowder
Feasting at Home

21. Simple Salmon Chowder

Fennel bulb and smoked paprika harmonize beautifully in this nuanced and elegant salmon chowder—a fast and easy dish that will fool your friends and family into thinking you’ve attained Top Chef status.

chowder recipes zuppa toscana
The Modern Proper

22. Zuppa Toscana

Crispy bacon, juicy Italian sausage, parmesan, cream and a name that’s really fun to say. What else do you need to know?

chowder recipes chicken cordon bleu soup
Girl Gone Gourmet

23. Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup

Chicken cordon bleu is comfort food for when you’re feeling fancy; this scrumptious soup stays true to the spirit (and flavor) of the classic dish, but with a fuss-free presentation that’s just right for a cozy night in.

chowder recipes pressure cooker creamy mushroom beef soup
The Creative Bite

24. Pressure Cooker Creamy Mushroom Beef Soup

Pros: Tender beef and succulent mushrooms (a match made in heaven); creamy broth; 30-minute cook time in an Instant Pot.

Cons: huh?

chowder recipes keto buffalo chicken chowder
All Day I Dream About Food

25. Keto Buffalo Chicken Chowder

This low-carb, keto-friendly chowder relies on store-bought (or homemade) buffalo sauce to replicate the beloved flavor of an order of chicken wings…but without the messy fingers. Needless to say, this one has game day potential.



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