Introducing… your favorite New England style clam chowder, reimagined as an outrageous Crab Chowder sensation! It takes everything you love about clam chowder and makes it even BETTER! It’s crab-solutely delicious! And the best part is… it takes just 5 minutes of prep, then your crockpot takes over!
Crab Chowder
Nothing beats a piping hot bowl of seafood chowder on a chilly cold evening, right?
But why not make your chowder even better. As in spectacular!
Kaitlyn writes: "This was delicious and a huge crowd pleaser. Multiple people asked for the recipe."
To start, we’ll create an authentic New England Clam Chowder Recipe. But instead of using clams… we go next-level and use crab instead. Talk about a massive flavor upgrade!
But we don’t stop there.
Then we add in loads of amazing savory bacon!
Trust me, this over-the-top creamy crab chowder recipe takes chowder to a whole new level of awesome!
It’s rich and creamy… and ridiculously amazing when you top it with bacon! Bacon after all is the one super-ingredient sure to make your homemade soups and chowders even better. This Baked Potato Soup Recipe and Chicken and Gnocchi Olive Garden Soup both prove that point deliciously!
So if you’re any kind of seafood fan at all, you really owe it to yourself to try this extraordinary, life-changing crab chowder for yourself.
Each rich and delicious spoonful will have you craving even more!
And don’t forget about how easy it is to prepare this crabmeat chowder recipe. You’ll just dump a few ingredients in your slow cooker and you’re ready to go!
Easy Soup Recipes and chowders don’t get much simpler or rewarding than this…
Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make the BEST crab meat chowder recipe without corn!
Here’s what you’ll need…
- Crab Meat – The same that I used for my other crab meat recipe, this decadent Crab Meat Dip Recipe!
- Evaporated Milk
- Cream of Potato Soup
- Cream of Celery Soup
- Butter
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Black Pepper – Ground or fresh cracked.
- Bay Leaf
- Bacon – Use my trick for how to prepare perfectly Crispy Oven Baked Bacon.
Like so many of my other easy Fall Crockpot Recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crock Pot to prepare this crab chowder crock pot recipe.
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Pin ItHow To Make Crab Chowder
You’re not going to believe how fast this delicious slow cooker crab meat chowder recipe comes together!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Spray your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Stir Crab Meat, Evaporated Milk, Cream of Potato Soups, Cream of Celery Soup, melted Butter & Seasonings together.
3. Transfer mixture into crockpot.
4. Cook as directed.
5. When done, top with Bacon and Parsley.
Serve, Enjoy & DEVOUR!
Trust me, Slow Cooker Soup Recipes don’t get much simpler or tastier than this creamy crab chowder San Francisco copycat!
Scroll down for the printable crab chowder recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
What to Serve with Crab Meat Chowder
Recipes for crab chowder like this pairs so well with so many different things! To start, I recommend you top your crab meat chowder with some saltine or oyster crackers.
Then, consider serving your chowder alongside a club sandwich, some Seasoned Potato Wedges, or a green salad topped with homemade Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing.
Of course… it would also be quite lovely alongside shrimp cocktail, a Canned Salmon Sandwich, or this creamy garlic Grilled Salmon Recipe!
Crab Chowder Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy crab chowder crock pot recipe…
Aimee writes: “Absolutely delicious and SO simple. The best part is it’s super budget friendly! We pair this with Red Lobster frozen cheddar biscuits. It’s perfect busy night/lazy dinner.”
Sharlyn writes: “I made this twice in one week. It’s definitely a hit with my family.”
Alandra writes: “Very easy. Enjoyed this one!”
Robert writes: “My wife made this and it was fabulous!”
Emily writes: “I’ve made this a few times now. We love it! (We’re an hour from Maine and we love our Chowder!) Thank you!”
Elisabeth writes: “This is the best!!!!! This stuff is amazing!!!!!”
Lisa writes: “This is crazy good and I didn’t change the recipe at all!”
Tammy writes: “Excellent.”
Kathy writes: “I made this today! It turned out perfect! The best part is EVERYBODY loved it! Next time I am going to put it in bread bowls, serve it with a side salad and maybe some cheddar biscuits!”
Quinn writes: “Very delicious”
Athena writes: “This turned out fantastic! I doubled the recipe”
Christie writes: “Super easy and delicious!”
Kaitlyn writes: “This was delicious and a huge crowd pleaser. Multiple people asked for the recipe.”
Jess writes: “Delicious”
Alicia writes: “This is sooo good! I made it last year for Christmas Eve dinner.”
Melanie writes: “Served with Cheddar Bay biscuits. Tasty meal.”
More Recipes for Easy Homemade Soups
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Crab Chowder
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Bumble Bee White Crab Meat, (2 cans, 6 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
- 1 1/2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh chopped Parsley for Garnish, and Cooked Chopped Bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Gather your crab chowder ingredients.
- Spray Crockpot with Non-stick Cooking Spray
- In large bowl, combine Crab Meat and juice from can, Evaporated Milk, Cream of Potato Soups, Cream of Celery Soup, melted Butter, Old Bay Seasoning, 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.
- Remove Bay Leaf prior to serving, top with Parsley and Cooked Chopped Bacon, and ENJOY!
Notes
- How To Double: To double this crab 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!
Hi, hope you can help. I donate 100% shelf-stable meals to food pantries near me. I create the kits assuming that the recipient will not have access to pantry staples or refrigeration. I would love to add you clam/crab chowder recipe into the rotation – but the butter. I’m allergic to shellfish, so can’t test it – but what would omitting the butter do? is there something that could add the same richness thst is shelf-stable (and affordable?) I run into the butter dilemma a lot – but i like to try and provide meals that aren’t just chicken and beans for the 1000th time, so hoping we can find an alternative. help? ideas?
fwiw, the pantry i donate to serves children as well as teens living on their own (homeless, in alternative HS, etc.), so i feel like exposing them to new flavors (or providing a flavor they haven’t had in a long time) is always a good thing.
and, yeah to Ivar’s. Former UW district dweller here. 🙂
Hi Jennifer! I love that you are putting these wonderful meal kits together for needy families! You are so amazing!
Truthfully, butter really is magical in this chowder. But I do understand your need to make these meals completely shelf stable. Since I also used bacon in this recipe, using bacon grease (aka rendered bacon fat) could be a suitable alternative. Shelf stable bacon grease is available for sale at various grocery stores and online on Amazon. The flavor would be somewhat different, but this would ensure you still achieved rich chowder flavors.
Can you use imitation crab not can
I honestly haven’t tried it that way, Liz… but if you do, let me know how it turns out!
My husband loves clam chowder. Could I use clams instead of crab?
Hi Eileen ~ here is a recipe to follow for Crock Pot Clam Chowder… enjoy! 🙂
https://thefrugalgirls.com/2015/10/crock-pot-clam-chowder-recipe.html
Can you add corn? Frozen or canned? I’m gonna use real crab meat not canned…
Hi Sydney ~ I honestly haven’t tried adding corn to this soup, but if you try it… let me know how it turns out!
I add corn and love it
Can corn be added to this? If so, frozen or canned? Thanks!
Also, what about potatoes? Thanks!
I like Simply Potatos because they are already diced.
Do you add any water to the soups? Making tonight… So excited!
Hi Dallas ~ you won’t need any water. ENJOY!
The Crock-Pot crab chowder is so easy and so delicious. Making it tonight for the 2nd time.
Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Jessica! So glad you liked it! 😉