Easy New England Fish Chowder (2024)

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ByNicole GaffneyPublished:

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This creamy New England Fish Chowder recipe can be made with cod or any firm white fish for a light, flavorful, and simple weeknight dinner that takes only 15 minutes of prep time.

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Easy New England Fish Chowder (1)

I grew up in a family of commercial fishermen from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and this simple New England style fish chowder is an old fisherman's wife recipe. It can be adapted using any kind of firm, white fish, or even salmon as my mom often did.

This fish chowder recipe is easily one of my favorite comfort foods because it reminds me so much of my Mom. She always kept it really simple, and honestly, it's better that way. I’ve tried adding bacon, leeks, carrots, clam juice, and other liquids - like in my creamy, five star rated New England Clam Chowder recipe - but all of them took away from this recipe's perfect simplicity.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by fish chowder recipes, then this is the one for you! It only uses 7 ingredients and takes 15 minutes of hands-on time. It’s beginner friendly and uses basic ingredients that are easy to find.

This fish chowder isn't thick and heavy like many cream-based New England varieties tend to be. It's light yet incredibly satisfying, and the flavor of the fish really shines through. If you like this recipe, make sure you add my Lobster Rolls and Lobster Corn Chowder to your menu – all New England style favorites!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Any sustainably caught firm white fish will work for this recipe, so use your favorite!
  • It’s naturally gluten-free.
  • Simple and light, perfectly highlighting the delicate seafood flavor.
  • Authentic New England fish chowder recipe, passed down from generations to my mom to me, and now you!
  • Beginner friendly with just 7 simple ingredients.
  • Ready in only 30 minutes!

Ingredient Notes

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  • Potatoes - For this soup, you’ll want to use a waxy variety of potatoes like red-skinned potatoes or fingerling potatoes. Waxy potatoes will hold their form when boiled for a creamy bite. If you use a starchy potato, like russet or Yukon gold, the soup will be grainy as the potatoes break down.
  • Firm white fish - I often use cod for this recipe, but you can use any firm, white-fleshed fish, preferably one that’s been sustainably caught. Halibut, grouper, pollock, haddock, and even salmon or sea bass are all excellent choices for this fish chowder. Avoid tuna, swordfish, and light flaky fish like flounder and snapper.
  • Heavy cream - The cream is what makes this soup “New England Style”. Heavy cream is ideal for the thickest and creamiest texture, but you can also use half and half. Low fat dairy and non-dairy alternatives will not work.

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Sauté the onion and celery with a pinch of salt for about 10 minutes or until translucent.
  2. Add the potatoes to the pot, toss to coat, then add the water, salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce it to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Easy New England Fish Chowder (3)
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  1. Add the fish, cover, and simmer for another 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh parsley, and more salt and pepper as needed.
  2. Serve immediately with lots of crusty bread for dipping.

Tips for Success

  • Season generously. Simple ingredients like water and potatoes requires more salt than you might think.I find 2 tablespoons of Diamond brand Kosher salt provides the perfect seasoning, but different types of salt will vary.
  • Avoid cooking the fish too long. Ten minutes is more than enough time for the fish to cook through. The longer it cooks, the more it will flake apart and melt into the soup.
  • If you want a thicker soup, mix together ¼ cup of flour with ¼ cup of water, add it to the soup and let it boil for 2-3 minutes before adding the fish.
  • This soup is even better after it sits overnight. Be sure to make enough for leftovers!
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What to Serve with Creamy Fish Chowder

I like serving this soup with a few slices of crusty bread. Dinner rolls or oyster crackers will also pair really well with this creamy soup.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

One of the best things about this recipe is how good it tastes the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because of the heavy cream, this recipe won’t freeze well.

To reheat your fish chowder soup, pour it into a small pot and heat it on the stove over low. Avoid boiling, and remove it from the heat once it’s warmed through.

FAQS About New England Fish Chowder

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How do you thicken fish chowder?

While this recipe is creamy, it’s not exactly thick. For a thicker texture, make a simple slurry by mixing together ¼ cup of flour with ¼ cup of water, add it to the soup and let it boil for 2-3 minutes before adding the fish.You can also make a cornstarch slurry to keep it gluten free by mixing two tablespoons of cornstarch with four tablespoons of cold water.

Can you use milk instead of heavy cream to finish fish chowder?

You can, but you’ll want to use the slurry method mentioned above to thicken the soup, as milk won’t add the same thickness as heavy cream.

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Did you LOVE this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️ rating and comment to let other readers know! I absolutely love hearing from you and do my best to answer all questions and comments.I love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram @ColeyCooks!

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Easy New England Fish Chowder

This creamy New England Fish Chowder recipe can be made with cod or any firm white fish for a light, flavorful, and simple weeknight dinner that takes only 15 minutes of prep time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 382kcal

Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large yellow or sweet onion peeled and diced
  • 8 ribs celery diced
  • 1 lb waxy potatoes not russet, cut into large cubes
  • 6 cups water
  • salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste *see note
  • 1 pound sustainably caught firm white fish such as cod halibut or haddock, cut into large cubes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup minced flat leaf parsley loosely packed

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy bottomed pot and sauté the onion and celery with a pinch of salt until translucent, about 10 minutes.

  2. Add in the potatoes, toss to coat, then add the water, salt and pepper. Bring the liquid up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

  3. Add in the fish, cover, and simmer for another 10 minutes or util the fish is cooked through.

  4. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh parsley. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

  5. Serve immediately with lots of crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

  • Season generously. Simple ingredients like water and potatoes requires more salt than you might think.I find 2 tablespoons of Diamond brand Kosher salt provides the perfect seasoning, but different types of salt will vary.
  • Avoid cooking the fish too long. Ten minutes is more than enough time for the fish to cook through. The longer it cooks, the more it will flake apart and melt into the soup.
  • If you want a thicker soup, mix together ¼ cup of flour with ¼ cup of water, add it to the soup and let it boil for 2-3 minutes before adding the fish.
  • This soup is even better after it sits overnight. Be sure to make enough for leftovers!

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 930mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 982IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg

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  1. Easy New England Fish Chowder (12)
    I loved reading your Mother's Day newsletter. I laughed about her shooing you away in the kitchen! You have her writing skills for sure and of course her beautiful Heart.
    She'd be soooo proud!
    143 Radio
    PS - Oh.. I willl be trying her recipe for sure!

    Reply

    1. Hey Radio! This comment made me tear up - thank you!! <3 143

      Reply

Easy New England Fish Chowder (13)

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I’m Nicole Gaffney, but my friends all call me Coley. You should, too! I’m a professionally trained chef with a passion for Italian cuisine and seafood. I’m on a mission to help you cook more for the people you love.

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Easy New England Fish Chowder (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between New England and Rhode Island 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 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. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

What is the best thickener for chowder? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

What's the difference between fish soup and fish chowder? ›

Now, a soup is usually made with stock or broth and can have vegetables, meat or fish as ingredients and is generally not very thick. A chowder may have the same ingredients, but is more chunky, creamy and thick, much like a stew.

What are the three types of chowder? ›

Chowder has evolved constantly over the years, with its roots dating back to the 1700s in the Northeast. Today, the 3 most popular variations are Rhode Island or “clear” chowder, Manhattan or “red” chowder, and New England or “white” chowder.

Which is healthier Manhattan or New England clam chowder? ›

Manhattan Clam Chowder is healthier than New England Clam Chowder. Manhattan Clam Chowder is lower in calories and fat. It is more nutritious thanks to its vitamin-rich tomato-based broth and abundance of veggies. New England clam chowder is higher in calories and fat because of its heavy cream-based broth.

How to thicken seafood chowder? ›

Flour: Thicken the chowder up with all-purpose flour. Seasonings: Season the fish chowder with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk makes the chowder even thicker and richer.

Does chowder have to have potatoes? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines. New England Clam Chowder is sometimes made with milk, whereas Manhattan Clam Chowder doesn't have any milk or cream but has a tomato base instead.

What makes it a bisque? ›

A traditional French chef would define a bisque as being a thick, creamy soup made with shellfish and thickened by a paste made from their shells. Julia Child was one chef to popularize lobster bisque in the United States; her recipe uses both the shells of the lobster and rice to thicken the bisque.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in seafood chowder? ›

Half-and-half and butter plus butter

You can also use half-and-half to replace heavy cream without adding butter in certain recipes, such as sauces and soups. To substitute for 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream, mix 7/8 cup (232 grams) of half-and-half with 1/8 cup (29 grams) of melted butter.

How do you improve canned New England clam chowder? ›

Sauteed alliums (onions, garlic, and other related vegetables) will add complexity, savoriness, and sweetness to your canned soup, lending it just a touch of homemade flavor. The onion-and-garlic combo is classic, but it's not the only option.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

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.

What makes chowder taste like chowder? ›

What Is Clam Chowder Supposed to Taste Like? New England clam chowder is a mix of creamy soup and briny, salty, chewy clams. This is complemented with soft onions, celery, and cubed potatoes. Seasonings like pepper enhance the soup, preventing it from being bland.

Is Manhattan clam chowder really a chowder? ›

Introduction of the Tomato – Tomato-based clam chowders came about with the new-found popularity of the tomato in the mid-1800s and the large population of Italians in New York and the Portuguese fishing communities of Rhode Island. By the 1930s, this tomato version had come to be called Manhattan clam chowder.

What is the most famous chowder? ›

New England clam chowder is perhaps the most popular and well-known iteration of the dish. It's a classic combination of clams, onions, corn, celery, bacon or salt pork, and potatoes.

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.

Why is New England clam chowder white? ›

New England clam chowder (also known as Boston clam chowder) is creamy thanks to milk or heavy cream, which gives it that recognizable white color. It's thick and made with clams, potatoes, and onions; sometimes, it includes salt pork.

How do New Englanders say clam chowder? ›

3 syllables: "NYOO IN" + "gluhnd KLAM CHOW" + "duh"

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