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Slow Cooker New England Clam Chowder
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Slow Cooker New England Clam Chowder

This slow cooker New England clam chowder was much. much better than I ever expected. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword clam chowder, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 331kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Epicurious

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 6 1/2 ounce clams chopped, in clam juice
  • ½ pound bacon diced into 1/4 inch strips
  • 1 10 1/2 ounce cream of mushroom soup
  • 4 medium russet potatoes peeled, cut into small cubes
  • 2 stalks celery halved length-wise, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups half-and-half
  • parsley for serving
  • oyster crackers for serving. I like to roast my crackers in a 200 F oven for 20 minutes to get them nice and toasty first!

Instructions

  • Drain the clams into a sieve over a bowl. Keep the juice. Transfer the clams to a bowl, cover, and place in the fridge.
  • Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon. Cook until just turning golden brown, but not crispy. Transfer bacon using a slotted spoon to a a slow cooker.
  • Transfer 2 cups of the clam juice (discard the rest) and the remaining ingredients except for the half-and-half and reserved clams to a slow cooker.
  • Cook on high for 4 hours.
  • Pour the half-and-half into a large bowl. Slowly ladle some of the hot liquid from the slow cooker into the bowl, stirring. Don't add it too quickly or it will curdle the cream. Once the cream is warmed pour it into the slow cooker.
  • Add the clams, stir, and cook for 1 more hour.

Notes

I added 2 more cans of clams (minus the juice), 2 more potatoes and a few extra strips of bacon.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 391IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 2mg