A creamy, comforting clam chowder made with fresh clams, potatoes, bacon, and a hint of jalapeño. The perfect seafood soup for any occasion.

Living in Florida, one of the best perks is the abundance of fresh seafood. Every time I step into a local fish market, my mind races with countless ideas for new meals. The quality and variety of ingredients around me make creating new dishes both exciting and inspiring. One of my favorites is this creamy clam chowder, which perfectly captures the flavors of the ocean. It's the kind of dish that feels both indulgent and light, and it's always a crowd-pleaser!

This creamy clam chowder recipe is my go-to when I want something that feels both indulgent and refreshing. It's the perfect balance of rich creaminess with a variety of textures and flavors. The fresh clams bring that undeniable oceanic taste, while the tender potatoes and crispy bacon make it feel extra comforting. The onions and celery lend a familiar chowder flavor, the corn adds a bit of sweetness and crunch, and the jalapeño offers just a hint of heat. Finally, a touch of fresh herbs ties everything together, making every spoonful a delightful experience.

This creamy clam chowder is such a treat, and it’s perfect when served with some homemade bread or warm cloverleaf rolls to soak up all the deliciousness. The combination of rich cream, fresh clams, and hearty ingredients makes this chowder unbelievably delicious, and every bite is a comforting hug for your taste buds. It’s one of those recipes that feels special without being overly complicated, and it's guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to have a bowl!

Ingredients:

2 ½ - 3 lbs clams (cherry stone, little neck, middle neck, etc.)

6 ½ cups water, divided

4-6 strips of bacon, minced

1 onion, minced

1-2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

3 tablespoon flour

1 ½ lbs (about 6-7 small) red potatoes, chopped small

1 dry bay leaf

dash cayenne pepper

1 cup fresh corn

1 cup heavy cream

salt, ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make Creamy Clam Chowder

Soak the clams in cold water for 30 minutes. The clams should all be tightly closed. Discard any damaged clams. Drain the water and scrub each of the clams with a brush. Cover the clams with fresh cold water again and let them soak while you prep the rest of the ingredients.

Place the clams in a large, heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven and pour enough fresh water over them to cover the clams, about 4 ½ cups. Bring the water to a boil and cook the clams for about 5 minutes, just until they open up. In about 2-3 minutes, they should start to open up, so start scooping out the ones that open up and by the time the clams cook for 5-7 minutes, they should all be open.

If some don't open, discard them. Strain the clam juice through a fine mesh sieve lined with a paper towel and reserve it. You should have 4 ½-4 cups.

Take the clams out of the shells and cut them into bite sized pieces.

Instead of fresh clams, you can use canned clams and bottled clam juice.

Wash out the dutch oven and return it to the stove. Add the bacon to the pot and cook it on medium low heat until the bacon is crisp and golden. Remove the bacon and set it to the side.

Discard all of the bacon grease except for 2 Tablespoons. Add the onion, celery and jalapeño to the bacon grease and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Season with a small amount of salt (since the bacon grease is salty) and ground black pepper.Add the flour to the cooked vegetables and stir it in, cooking for about a minute, until the flour is evenly distributed among the vegetables.

Pour in the reserved clam juice plus an additional 2 cups of water, scraping the bottom of the dutch oven to scrape all the brown bits and making sure the flour is dissolved. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Add the potatoes, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, then taste the broth to see if it needs more salt. Cook, covered, at a simmer for about 10-15 minutes, just until the potatoes are cooked through.Add the fresh corn and the clams, cooking for another 3-5 minutes, just enough for the clams to cook through.Pour in the heavy cream, stir to combine and add the fresh herbs.