This is the rich and creamy Crock Pot Clam Chowder sensation you’ve been dreaming of. It’s your favorite gourmet, restaurant-style New England clam chowder recipe made easy! Just toss your ingredients in your crock pot, and walk away! Yep… your slow cooker will do the work for you tonight!
Crock Pot Clam Chowder
This classic New England clam chowder serves up creamy clam-licious flavor… made even better with the secret ingredient: BACON!
If you’re obsessed with authentic New England clam chowder… and Bacon, you are in for a treat!!
So rich, so comforting, it’s just begging you to have one more spoonful!
Christy writes: "I’m a bit of a clam chowder snob. I am picky with it (taste, consistency, everything) Your recipe is exactly what I’ve been looking for! It’s so delicious and the consistency is perfect! Great job, and great recipe!"
When it comes to chowder, I guess you could say that I have a bit of an obsession.
Growing up in Seattle, I consumed a LOT of clam chowder! And by a lot, I really do mean a LOT!
You can easily satisfy your chowder cravings at Ivar’s, Steamer’s, Salty’s and so many more incredible seafood restaurants in Seattle.
And even though we were on the west coast… New England style clam chowder was the THING in Seattle!
But I don’t want you to have to travel all the way to New England… or even Seattle to enjoy amazing chowder.
That’s why I created this easy crock pot clam chowder recipe. So now you can effortlessly make your own sensational chowder right at home… and in your Crock Pot no less!!
Believe me, if you’ve never enjoyed the ease of preparing homemade clam chowder in a crock pot… you owe it to yourself to try!
This extraordinary fuss-free chowder takes less than five minutes of actual hands on time. The your crock pot does the rest. Just like when you use your crockpot to make this decadent Crab Chowder Crock Pot Recipe, creamy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup, or heartwarming Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.
Without a doubt, using a crockpot is a life changing chowder and soup making hack!!
So tonight, go ahead and give your crock pot kitchen duty. It won’t complain, and neither will you!
Trust me, enjoying a piping hot bowl of outrageous homemade clam chowder has never been easier…
Ingredients
It takes just a few simple ingredients to make the BEST New England style crockpot clam chowder with canned clams!
Here’s what you’ll need…
- Minced Clams
- Evaporated Milk
- Cream of Potato Soup
- Cream of Celery Soup
- Butter
- Black Pepper – Ground or fresh cracked.
- Bay Leaf
- Parsley
- Bacon – Take your clam chowder to the next level with my Oven Bacon Recipe!
- Optional: Bread bowl for clam chowder. (because then you can eat your bowl when you’re done… eating your dishes is always fun!)
Like so many of my other easy crockpot recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crock Pot to prepare this easy crock pot clam chowder.
Can I Double This Crock Pot Clam Chowder Recipe?
Yes, you sure can! You’ll just need at least an 8 quart slow cooker to get the job done.
How Do You Keep Clams Tender For Chowder?
Are you wondering how to cook clams so they are not chewy?
The key to keeping clams tender for this crock pot clam chowder soup is to not overcook them. That’s why we’ll add the clams in for the last 30 minutes of cooking, to ensure they don’t get overdone. Nobody likes a rubbery clam. 🙂
What to Serve with New England Clam Chowder
Here are 10 of my favorite tasty copycat Ivar’s clam chowder recipe sides…
- Club Sandwich
- Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread – To use as a homemade bread bowl for clam chowder.
- Fresh Bread with homemade Garlic Butter
- Hush Puppies
- Seasoned Potato Wedges
- Oyster Crackers
- Rosemary Dutch Oven Bread – Another homemade bread bowl for clam chowder alternative.
- Salad
- Shrimp Appetizer
- Saltine Crackers
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow to Make Clam Chowder
You’re not going to believe how fast this easy crockpot clam chowder recipe comes together!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine all your ingredients except the clams.
3. Transfer the mixture into your crockpot and cook as directed.
4. Stir in clams, and cook for the last 30 minutes.
5. When done, top with Bacon and Parsley.
Serve, Enjoy & DEVOUR!
What you’ll get is a thick and creamy chowder, that’s loaded with everything you want in a classic crockpot New England clam chowder recipe.
Trust me, slow cooker soup recipes don’t get much simpler or tastier than this!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Crock Pot Clam Chowder Recipe Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Easy Crock Pot Clam Chowder Soup Recipe…
One reader writes: “I made this and was impressed at how good it was! This is a keeper!”
V writes: “Outstanding. Will definitely fix again”
Katherine writes: “My family absolutely LOVED this clam chowder!!!”
Kira writes: “Ate it in bread bowls. Huge hit and SO easy! We will make this regularly in the comfort food season.”
Tia writes: “Super easy, husband and kids loved it.”
Cindy writes: ‘Very good. Easy to make and the whole family liked it. I served french bread with it.”
Shawnna writes: “This was easy and DELICIOUS!!!”
Gail writes: “Served this at a party for 25….got so many compliments! Obviously I had to add double the recipe but it turned out sooooo good! So easy! This was absolutely delicious! It was enjoyed by everyone!”
Hallie writes: “Super easy and yummy. Will definitely make again.”
Susan writes: “I made this today. It was SO GOOD! So easy too! will definitely make again. Great on a cold winter’s day.”
Courtney writes: “Easy and tasty! It’s a keeper!”
Rebecca writes: “My 9 & 1/2 year old daughter made this for my family tonight for dinner. We loved the recipe and it was so easy for her to put together. We will be adding it to her list of dinners to make again.”
Melanie writes: “Very good – made a few times – super easy”
Stephanie writes: “Loved this, super simple and tasty!”
Jenna writes: “This was a hit. The flavors were awesome. No one got seconds because none was left. So good!”
Monica writes: “Very good. My picky eater Mother loved it!”
Rachel writes: “I make this all the time now. I add a tsp garlic and some fresh cracked pepper and it’s perfect!”
Kira writes: “Ate it in bread bowls. Huge hit and SO easy! We will make this regularly in the comfort food season.”
Royce writes: “This is truly amazing. I’m so glad I tried it. It’s a keeper. Wouldn’t change a thing.”
Carol writes: “I tried it! It came out great. So easy, so good.”
Kimberly writes: “Love this recipe! So simple and yummy. I like to chop up some (cooked) shrimp into smaller pieces and toss that in as well. I call it a seafood chowder instead.”
More Recipes for Easy Homemade Soups
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Crock Pot Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 13 oz. Minced Clams in Clam Juice, (2 cans, 6.5 oz. each)
- 12 oz. Evaporated Milk, (1 can)
- 21 oz. Campbell’s Cream of Potato Soup, (2 cans, 10.5 oz. each)
- 10.5 oz. Campbell’s Cream of Celery Soup, (1 can)
- 1 tbsp. Butter, melted
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh chopped Parsley for Garnish
- 6 slices Chopped Bacon (cooked until crispy) for Garnish
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Spray Crockpot with Non-stick Cooking Spray
- Drain Clam Juice from cans of Clams, and pour into large bowl. (Set clams aside in refrigerator.)
- In large bowl, combine Clam Juice, Evaporated Milk, Cream of Potato Soups, Cream of Celery Soup, melted Butter, and Pepper.
- Stir well, and transfer mixture into Crockpot.
- Add Bay Leaf into soup mixture, and cover Crockpot with lid.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 hours, or LOW for 4 hours.
- After 1.5 hours on HIGH or 3.5 hours on LOW, add in clams and stir well, then cover for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Remove Bay Leaf prior to serving, top with Parsley and chopped Bacon and ENJOY!
Notes
- How To Keep Clams Tender: The key to keeping clams tender for clam chowder is to not overcook them. That’s why we’ll add the clams in for the last 30 minutes of cooking, to ensure they don’t get overdone. Nobody likes a rubbery clam. 🙂
- How To Double: To double this crockpot clam chowder recipe, you’ll need at least an 8 quart slow cooker to get the job done.
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
It’s rainy here in Pittsburgh Pa and also Ash Wednesday. Perfect day to throw this in the crockpot. It really is so easy and delicious. Thanks for a great recipe.
This sounds like the perfect cozy dinner for tonight, Barb! I’m so glad you love it!
Loved this recipe for clam chowder, was very easy and delicious. Couldn’t find cream of potato soup so used cream of mushroom and added potatoes, it was delicious. Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome, Pauline! Cream of mushroom is a great substitute, too. I’m so glad you loved it!
Okay, so I’m a bit of a clam chowder snob lol. I am very picky with it (taste, consistency, everything) There is only one restaurant I have found to make it the absolute best. I have tried making many different recipes… either the wrong flavor, too runny, or just not good. Your recipe is exactly what I’ve been looking for! It’s so delicious and the consistency is perfect! Great job, and great recipe! Thanks for posting.
You’re so sweet… thanks, Christy! You just made my day!
Can you freeze this soup. Sometimes cream soups don’t freeze well
Hi Brenda ~ due to the milk and creams, this soup is not really freezer friendly.
By far, the best and easiest clam chowder recipe I have come across!! I have made this several times exactly as written and it is amazing. So over the weekend I wanted to make it again. Unfortunately, no Cream of Potato soup to be found!! Chalk another one up to supply chain issues in 2022!!. So I ended up substituting one can of Cream of Onion and one can of Cream of Bacon (not realizing before this point that either was a “thing”!). I am still not sure how much it changed the overall flavor profile but it was still delicious! To make up for no potato soup, I did parboil a package of dry potato gnocchi and added that when ready to serve. I think I will do that from now on regardless of what “cream of” soup I am lucky enough to find at the grocery store, Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!!
I’m so glad you like it, Ken… and I love your idea of adding in a little gnocchi! 🙂
How many people does it serve?
Hi Valerie,
It depends on the serving size, but on average I would say it serves around 6.
Can this recipe be made on the stove?
Hi Angela,
I am sure this could be prepared on the stove top. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out.
~ Heidi
It turns out that you have to cook it on very low heat , otherwise it tends to burn. It turned out ok, but I feel it would be much better in the crockpot. Thanks for answering my question.
Angela
Great recipe! This is perfect for today’s snow day. So cozy.
That sounds like so much fun, Rebecca… I sure would love a snow day here in Phoenix! Stay warm and cozy today! 🙂
What a delicious and easy recipe, I’ll have to try this for my family! Thank you for sharing, Heidi!
You’re very welcome, Cyna… hope you all love it! 🙂
This is so easy and a very big hit when I made it at the beach this year. Will make over and over.
Aww ~ thanks, Janet! So glad you loved it! 🙂