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Home Ā» Recipes Ā» Soup Recipes

October 6, 2011 · 12 Comments

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Clam Chowder

Seafood Recipes· Soup Recipes

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A collage photo of onion and bacon clam chowder
Caramelized Bacon and Onion Clam Chowder is a creamy soup made with clams, chunks of potatoes, onions, bacon and fresh thyme.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Clam Chowder is a creamy soup made with clams, potatoes, onions, bacon and fresh thyme.

Caramelized Bacon and Onion Clam Chowder is a creamy soup made with clams, chunks of potatoes, onions, bacon and fresh thyme.

Want to hear a good one? I don't like ANY seafood nor can I eat bacon. So you're probably thinking "What possessed her to make Clam Chowder WITH bacon?". It's ok, I haven't lost it...yet!

New England Clam Chowder happens to be my 9 year olds favorite soup but I never make it. Instead, we have to wait to go to Panera Bread on a Friday to get it for her.

Apparently they follow the "fish on Friday" rule all year long because that's the only day they ever have it on their menu.

Recently, she was one of the candidates running for student council representative for the 4th grade. All they had to do was write a speech, present it to the class and they would vote.

At this age there is no official title, but she was excited and really wanted to "make a difference". Gotta love her, she is definitely my little "world peace" child and she WILL be someone influential one day.

I just get nervous as to what that might actually be. šŸ™‚

Carmelized.Bacon & Onion Clam Chowder

I got a message from her teacher during the day that said she lost, but that her speech and delivery was terrific. She was devastated. Crying hysterically, but through it all managed to buy the winner a congratulatory cookie at lunch. Again, gotta love her.

So I thought I'd surprise her and make her favorite soup. It started off good, until I got distracted. My friend was here refinishing our wood floors and I accidentally browned the bacon and onions too much.

Instead of scrapping it, I continued with the process. Then I made him taste it for me. I cook by smell and sight when cooking with seafood and it smelled ok so I think he was safe!

How do you make Bacon & Onion Clam Chowder?

For this recipe you'll need bacon, onions, butter, fresh thyme, all purpose flour, Russet potatoes, chopped clams, clam juice, heavy cream, parsley, Kosher salt and pepper.

In a medium saucepan on top of the stove, render bacon over medium-high heat until it is browned and crispy. Drain the grease; then add butter and onions and sautƩ until golden brown and caramelized. Next add the thyme and flour to form a roux.

Separate the clam juice from the clams and add the juice plus the additional clam juice and water. Add the potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes start to soften.

Caramelized Bacon & Onion Clam Chowder | CarriesExperimentalKitchen.com

Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over high heat until it's warm, but not boiling. Add the heated cream to the potatoes along with the chopped clams, parsley, salt and pepper; then simmer on low for 30 minutes

He said it was actually really good and liked the flavor, so that's how my regular clam chowder became Caramelized Bacon and Onion Clam Chowder.

That and as you can tell from the picture it's on the tan side vs. white. I also had my in-laws test it out too. It got a "good" from my father in-law; which in his language means "you can make it again".

You just never want an "ok" because then the meal is doomed! Gabrielle enjoyed it too and in no time was back to her old self. ~Enjoy!

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Caramelized Bacon & Onion Clam Chowder

Caramelized Bacon & Onion Clam Chowder

Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Creamy Clam Chowder made with bacon, caramelized onions, clams and heavy cream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups
Calories 616 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • ½ cup small diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme, removed from stem
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 small russet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
  • 13 ounces chopped clams in juice
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup clam juice
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan on top of the stove, render bacon over medium-high heat until it is browned and crispy. Drain the grease; then add butter and onions and sautĆ© until golden brown and caramelized.
  • Next add the thyme and flour to form a roux.
    Separate the clam juice from the clams and add the juice plus the additional clam juice and water. Add the potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes start to soften.
  • Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over high heat until it's warm, but not boiling.
  • Add the heated cream to the potatoes along with the chopped clams, parsley, salt and pepper; then simmer on low for 30 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 616kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 12gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 605mgPotassium: 756mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1954IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 2mg
Keyword bacon, clams, seafood
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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New England Clam Chowder

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Corn Chowder

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Ham and Potato Soup

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Caramelized Bacon and Onion Clam Chowder is a creamy soup made with clams, chunks of potatoes, onions, bacon and fresh thyme.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joan@chocolateandmore says

    October 06, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    come on cold weather so I can make this!

    Reply
  2. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    October 06, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I hope you like it šŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    October 09, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    Just posted this recipe on EMM Church Supper Link Party
    http://everydaymomsmeals.blogspot.com/2011/10/church-supper-13.html

    Reply
  4. Debi says

    October 09, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    Oh My Stars! I was just wanting Clam Chowder yesterday! Thank you so much for sharing. I saw this on EMM Church Supper! <3 and Hugs!

    Reply
  5. Debi says

    October 09, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Following you on Google Friend Connect also.. <3 and Hugs!

    Reply
  6. Krista says

    October 09, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    You had me at bacon! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a great week!

    Reply
  7. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    October 09, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    Thanks for stopping by Debi and welcome! šŸ™‚
    @Krista Thank you, same to you! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Michaela says

    February 02, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Carrie, Thank you so much for sharing this yummy soup at my Virtual Soup Supper today! <3

    http://anaffairfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
    Michaela

    Reply
  9. Justine Fontinell says

    February 03, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    Sounds so amazing! Found you via An Affair from the Heart's Virtual Soup Supper šŸ™‚

    Reply
  10. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    February 04, 2012 at 12:36 am

    @Michaela You're welcome, THANK YOU for hosting!

    @ Justine Thank you for stopping by!

    Reply
  11. Alice Quinlan says

    October 26, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Carrie, I made this last weekend with my 13 year old. He LOVES to help in the kitchen cutting everything up. We are making it again today. What a freaking hit this soup is in our family! I have been looking for a New England Clam Chowder recipe for years and I LOVE THIS ONE! THANK YOU!!!!! šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Carrie Farias says

      October 28, 2013 at 11:11 am

      That's great Alice, I'm so glad you and the family enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping back to let me know! šŸ™‚

      Reply

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