Chef John's Manhattan Clam Chowder

Chef John's Manhattan Clam Chowder
  • PREP TIME
    35 mins
  • COOK TIME
    1 hrs
  • TOTAL TIME
    1 hrs 35 mins
  • SERVING
    6 People
  • VIEWS
    144

Dive into a revamped classic with this Manhattan Clam Chowder, where the essence of the sea meets a rich, comforting broth. This recipe balances the briny sweetness of clams with a subtle tomato tang, elevated by savory bacon and aromatic herbs for a truly satisfying culinary experience.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    32 g
  • Cholesterol
    114 mg
  • Fiber
    3 g
  • Protein
    46 g
  • Saturated Fat
    1 g
  • Sodium
    902 mg
  • Sugar
    4 g
  • Fat
    6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Drain baby and chopped clams. Reserve liquid in the refrigerator until needed and set clams aside.

02

Step

Place bacon in a soup pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir until well-browned and almost crispy, 7 to 10 minutes. Add onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir until onions start to soften and turn translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

03

Step

Add tomato paste; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Don't worry if some of the tomato paste sticks to the bottom of the pot; we want that to happen. Sprinkle in flour; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.

04

Step

Dump in reserved clam juice plus bottled clam juice and chicken broth. Stir with a spatula, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze any caramelization.

05

Step

Add carrots, celery, clams, diced tomatoes, pepper, and cayenne; stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, skimming off some bacon fat if desired.

06

Step

Add diced potatoes and cook until tender but not falling apart, about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt, if needed. Stir in fresh tarragon and parsley just before serving.

For a richer flavor, consider using pancetta instead of bacon.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
Adding a splash of dry sherry or white wine during the deglazing step can add another layer of complexity.
Garnish with oyster crackers and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or dill for the perfect finishing touch.

Deshaun Gottlieb

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.9/ 5 ( 48 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Lacey Schultz

    My family devoured this chowder! Even my picky eaters loved it.

  • Doris Corkery

    The trick of letting the tomato paste stick to the bottom of the pot is genius! It adds such a depth of flavor.

  • Jaida Champlin

    I added a bit of sherry as suggested and it really elevated the dish. Thanks for the great recipe!

  • Holly Lehner

    The best Manhattan Clam Chowder I've ever made! The clams were plentiful, just how I like it!

  • Osbaldo Bins

    I've always been hesitant to make Manhattan clam chowder, but this recipe changed my mind. It's so easy and delicious!

  • Ardith Herman

    I used diced tomatoes with green chiles for an extra kick, and it was fantastic! Thanks for a great base recipe.

  • Ralph Rolfson

    This chowder is amazing! The perfect balance of flavors and so much better than any I've had in restaurants.

  • Marianna Welch

    I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. This is definitely going into my regular rotation.

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