Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe (2024)

  • Soups
  • New England
  • Dairy-free Mains
  • Clams

By

Daniel Gritzer

Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe (1)

Daniel Gritzer

Senior Culinary Director

Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated August 29, 2018

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Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe (2)

Far less popular than creamy New England clam chowder, Rhode Island's dairy-free version deserves a lot more attention. The rich broth is brightened with white wine and loaded with the flavor of clams, chunks of tender potato, and bits of smoky bacon. It may be my new go-to chowder.

Why this recipe works:

  • This lighter version of clam chowder emphasizes the briny flavor of the clams without the richness of cream or other dairy.
  • Good white chicken stock creates a broth that's rich and flavorful without overpowering the briny flavor of the clams.
  • Bacon adds a light smoky flavor.

Note: If you are using homemade chicken stock that already has lots of gelatin (i.e., it should thicken and gel when chilled), you can omit the unflavored gelatin here; if your stock is store-bought, or if it's homemade but watery even when chilled, the unflavored gelatin is an essential ingredient. If using homemade stock, skip step 2.

The Clammiest Chowder: How to Make Rhode Island-Style Dairy-Free Clam Chowder

Recipe Details

Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe

Active35 mins

Total95 mins

Serves4to 6 servings

  • 2 poundslive cherrystone or littleneck clams

  • Kosher salt

  • 3 thick-cut slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 ounces)

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 medium carrots, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 medium cloves garlic, roughly chopped (about 2 teaspoons)

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 1 quart homemadeor store-bought low-sodium chicken stock

  • 2 packets (1/2 ounce) unflavored gelatin (only if using store-bought stock or thin homemade stock; see note)

  • 2 sprigs thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced

  • Minced parsley, for garnish

Directions

  1. Scrub clams well under running water and set in a large bowl. Cover with cold water and add enough salt to make water taste salty like the sea. Let clams stand for about 30 minutes, then lift from water and rinse. Inspect soaking water: if there is sand on the bottom of the bowl, discard water, rinse bowl well, and repeat soaking procedure until sand no longer accumulates on bottom of bowl.

  2. Meanwhile, place stock in a large liquid measuring cup and sprinkle gelatin over the top. (See note).

  3. Add bacon to Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp and fat has rendered, about 7 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.

  4. Add wine, bring to a simmer, and cook until alcohol smell has cooked off, about 4 minutes. Add stock, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf and bring to a simmer.

  5. Add clams. Cover and cook until clams begin to open, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer clams to a large heatproof bowl as they open. If any clams don't open, transfer them to a separate bowl, and attempt to open them by sliding a knife between the shells: any clams that smell good can be added to the others (discard any that smell bad or are filled with mud). Allow clams to cool slightly.

  6. Add potatoes to soup and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, remove clam meat from shells. Discard shells and roughly chop clam meat, collecting all juices that accumulate. Skim most of the fat from the surface of the soup.

  7. Add clam meat back to soup along with any juices and season with salt. Transfer to bowls, garnish with parsley and serve.

Special equipment

Dutch oven or soup pot

This Recipe Appears In

  • The Clammiest Chowder: How to Make Rhode Island-Style Dairy-Free Clam Chowder
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
240Calories
8g Fat
21g Carbs
16g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories240
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g11%
Saturated Fat 3g13%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 1085mg47%
Total Carbohydrate 21g8%
Dietary Fiber 3g9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 19mg93%
Calcium 79mg6%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 864mg18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What two ingredients must be present for the soup to be called a chowder? ›

Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc.

What is Rhode Island clam chowder made of? ›

Bring shucked clams, clam juice, and chicken stock to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and celery; cook and stir until vegetables are tender.

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream.

What is the most popular clam chowder? ›

New England Clam Chowder is the most famous and most popular clam chowder. It's been around for centuries, so it's possible its longevity has contributed to its popularity.

What is usually a main thickening agent of chowder? ›

A roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups and comes in three colors and strengths: white, blond, and brown.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What is the difference between New England and Rhode Island clam chowder? ›

Many regional variations exist, but the three most prevalent are New England or "white" clam chowder, which includes milk or cream, Manhattan or "red" clam chowder, which includes tomatoes, and Rhode Island or "clear" clam chowder, which omits both.

What is clam chowder base made of? ›

This delicious clam chowder is cream-based and calls for the traditional chowder ingredients: onion, celery, potatoes, diced carrots, cream, and clams. A little red wine vinegar is added before serving for extra flavor.

What state eats the most clam chowder? ›

Maine and Massachusetts may be the two states most associated with the cream-based clam chowder. In fact, it is known as one of Maine's most iconic dishes and is considered a classic in Boston's historic neighborhoods.

What can I use instead of cream in chowder? ›

Milk and butter

A last-minute alternative if you're out of heavy cream and need it for a recipe is to combine milk and butter. It's an easy substitute that'll work for most recipes. The butter adds extra fat to the milk, making its fat percentage similar to that of heavy cream.

What is the floating fart from chowder? ›

Chowder's best friend and pet, Kimchi is a floating stink cloud. Most people don't' want to be around him, but Chowder doesn't mind Kimchi's smell.

Do all chowders have bacon? ›

Chowder is a hearty meal made with milk or cream and usually with a Salt pork,bacon,or other base for flavor along with potatoes. Corn is a popular ingredient to add too. You can add almost any protein you can think of but most tend to be made with Seafood.

How to make can clam chowder better? ›

directions
  1. Pour soup into 2 quart sauce pan.
  2. Add chopped clams and 2 tablespoons of juice from clams.
  3. Add thyme, salt and pepper.
  4. Stir all together and heat over medium heat until bubbly then let simmer on low for 20 minutes.
  5. Place in individual bowls and sprinkle with crumbled bacon and serve.

How do you thicken clam chowder? ›

Starches can help thicken clam chowder

The most common way to add cornstarch is to first mix it with cream and then slowly pour the mixture into the soup while stirring. Flour, on the other hand, is first made into a roux by mixing it with a fat such as oil, butter, or bacon grease.

What meat goes with clam chowder? ›

Bacon can make everything better, including cham chowder. Now a bowl of juicy clams, potatoes, and chunks of bacon is a perfect mix. Rather than being a side dish, bacon is more of a topping or ingredient in the chowder. Regardless of the technicality bacon is an incredible addition to a bowl of clam chowder.

What makes a soup a chowder? ›

The difference between chowder, soup, and stew is that chowder is a soup made with broth that is thickened with flour and cream, with seafood and/or vegetables mixed in. Soup is made with water or broth and can host a variety of ingredients like pasta, vegetables, fruits, grains, meats or seafood.

What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

You can also use flour or cornflour to thicken a soup. Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer.

What are the 2 basic categories of soup? ›

Soups are similar to stews, and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between the two; however, soups generally have more liquid (broth) than stews. In traditional French cuisine, soups are classified into two main groups: clear soups and thick soups.

What are the two types of chowder? ›

New England clam chowder is thick, creamy, and milky-white. Manhattan clam chowder is tomatoey, brothy, and clear. Both types share a clean, briny, and slightly-sweet flavor thanks to the clams—but that's about it.

References

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