If you love the comforting embrace of a creamy soup loaded with fresh flavors from the ocean, this Seafood Chowder Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a luscious blend of tender shrimp, flaky fish, and delicate scallops or crab meat, simmered with hearty vegetables and a dreamy, velvety broth that warms you from the inside out. Every spoonful feels like a cozy hug on a chilly day, yet it’s surprisingly simple to make, delivering beautiful layers of taste that will impress family and friends without keeping you tied to the stove all day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but collectively create a harmonious balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes this chowder such a standout dish. Each component adds a unique touch, whether it’s the sweetness of the carrots or the silky creaminess of the milk and heavy cream.
- Butter: Adds rich, creamy depth to the base and helps soften the vegetables beautifully.
- Olive oil: Balances the butter with a subtle fruitiness and helps prevent burning.
- Onion: Provides a savory, aromatic foundation that infuses the broth with sweetness.
- Garlic: Gives a punch of warmth and complexity without overpowering the seafood.
- Celery: Adds bright, fresh notes and a slight crunch that contrast nicely with the creamy broth.
- Carrots: Offer natural sweetness and vibrant color to the chowder.
- Potatoes: Bring hearty texture and help thicken the chowder as they cook down.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring all flavors into focus.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that enhances the seafood beautifully.
- Dried Thyme: Contributes an earthy herbal note that rounds out the dish.
- Seafood or Chicken Broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base of the chowder — seafood broth boosts that ocean taste.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the luscious, silky texture that makes chowder so indulgent.
- Whole Milk: Lightens the cream slightly for a perfect balance.
- Shrimp: Adds tender, slightly sweet bites of seafood.
- White fish (such as cod): Brings flaky, mild fish pieces that soak up the broth’s richness.
- Scallops or Crab meat (optional): Elevates the dish with delicate, luxurious seafood flavors.
- Fresh parsley: Offers a fresh herbal finish and a pop of green.
How to Make Seafood Chowder Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by heating butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the oil is shimmering, toss in the diced onion, minced garlic, celery, and carrots. Cook these gently for about 5 to 6 minutes until they soften and release their wonderful aromas. This step lays the flavor groundwork for the chowder’s character and sweetness.
Step 2: Add Potatoes and Spices
Next, stir in the diced potatoes along with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. This seasoning mix really wakes the dish up and infuses the potatoes, which are going to thicken your chowder beautifully as they cook. Stir everything together well so the spices coat the vegetables evenly.
Step 3: Pour in the Broth and Simmer
Pour 3 cups of seafood or chicken broth over the vegetables and bring the pot to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and starting to break down. This simmering melds the flavors and creates that rich base that a great seafood chowder depends on.
Step 4: Stir in Cream, Milk, and Seafood
Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream and whole milk, which will give your chowder that smooth, velvety texture we all crave. Now for the star of the show: add the shrimp, fish chunks, and scallops or crab if you’re using them. Let everything cook gently for 5 to 7 minutes until the seafood is cooked through and turns opaque. Be careful not to overcook, because you want your seafood tender and juicy.
Step 5: Final Seasoning and Parsley
Give your chowder a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Finally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh, herbaceous finish that brightens every spoonful. If you want to amp up the richness, stirring in a knob of butter just before serving is the perfect touch.
How to Serve Seafood Chowder Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is the classic garnish that adds color and a burst of freshness, but feel free to get creative with crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of smoked paprika, or even a dash of lemon zest to brighten the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
This chowder shines when paired with crusty bread or oyster crackers for dipping. A crisp green salad or steamed green beans can also add lightness to balance the creamy richness of the chowder.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the chowder in hollowed-out sourdough bread bowls for a cozy, rustic feel. Alternatively, ladle it into individual ramekins and broil with a thin layer of cheese on top for a gratin-style finish that adds savory crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Seafood chowder tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld, so store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the chowder covered to preserve its creaminess and freshness.
Freezing
Because cream-based soups can separate when frozen, freezing is not ideal for this seafood chowder recipe. If you must freeze, omit the cream and milk when cooking, then add them fresh after thawing and reheating gently on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat your chowder over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. If it looks too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving for best texture, as it can cause uneven heating.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood for this Seafood Chowder Recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and drain the seafood well to avoid extra water diluting the chowder. Frozen seafood can make this dish more convenient without sacrificing taste.
Is it possible to make this chowder dairy-free?
Yes, swap out the heavy cream and milk for coconut milk or a creamy plant-based alternative, and use dairy-free butter substitutes. Keep in mind the flavor profile may shift slightly but will still be delicious.
Can I prepare this chowder in advance for a dinner party?
Definitely! Prepare it up to the simmering step the day before, then add the seafood, cream, and milk fresh before serving to keep the seafood tender and the texture perfect.
What type of fish works best in this chowder?
Firm, white fish like cod, haddock, or halibut are ideal because they hold their shape well and have a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with creamy broth and other seafood.
How can I thicken the chowder if it’s too watery?
You can mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the soup or add a slurry of cornstarch and water for a quicker fix. Just add gradually and stir well.
Final Thoughts
This Seafood Chowder Recipe is pure comfort in a bowl, combining simplicity with elegance in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for family or treating yourself to something special, it’s a recipe that never fails to impress and satisfy. Don’t hesitate to give it a go — with each spoonful, you’ll feel like you’ve just experienced a hug from the coast itself.
Print
Seafood Chowder Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This creamy and comforting Seafood Chowder features tender shrimp, flaky cod, and optional scallops or crab meat simmered in a rich broth with vegetables and herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines the sweetness of fresh seafood with hearty potatoes and a touch of creaminess, creating a classic American soup that’s easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Seafood Chowder Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ pound cod or white fish, cut into chunks
- ½ cup scallops or crab meat (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, celery, and carrots, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
- Add Spices and Potatoes: Stir in the diced potatoes, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme to coat the vegetables evenly with flavor.
- Simmer Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the seafood or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork.
- Incorporate Cream and Milk: Stir in the heavy cream and whole milk into the pot, blending to create the chowder’s creamy base.
- Cook Seafood: Add the shrimp, chunks of cod or white fish, and scallops or crab meat if using. Simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until all seafood pieces turn opaque and are cooked through completely.
- Adjust Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the chowder and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Finally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a bright, herbal finish before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in an additional tablespoon of butter just before serving.
- Frozen seafood mix can be used as a convenient option, but be sure to thaw and drain it before adding to the chowder.
- Serve this chowder with crusty bread or oyster crackers for a complete and satisfying meal.
