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Instant Pot Clam Chowder is one of my favorite Instant Pot soups. It’s tasty, comforting and warming on chilly days, and also good on a summer day! It’s easy to make my pressure cooker clam chowder recipe!
Instant Pot Clam Chowder
I grew up in Seattle, the place where Ivar’s Acres of Clams was a big deal! If you have ever had the pleasure of strolling along the waterfront in Seattle, you would have seen Ivar’s Clam Bar. They serve up yummy deep fried clams, as well as fish and chips, salmon and chips, clam chowder, and more. I have memories of that place and their clam chowder as far back as… Well, pretty far back! We still like to go there.
This Instant Pot Clam Chowder recipe is one of my most popular recipes.
Many people in states along any coast will have their own recipe for clam chowder. Some are really loaded with stuff, while others are simpler. My Instant Pot Clam Chowder leans towards the simpler, but it has great flavor! My mom made a version very similar, and my recipe is based on hers that we ate growing up.
This pressure cooker clam chowder recipe has a nice amount of clams in it. If you are a clam super fan, go ahead and add in an extra can! This recipe also doubles nicely. Just keep the cook time the same.
The feedback on this recipe has been awesome! I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to let me know that they love my Instant Pot Clam Chowder recipe! Pin this recipe on Pinterest and share the love!
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Instant Pot Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- (3) 6.5 oz cans Chopped Clams* (reserve the clam juice)
- Water or a small bottle of clam juice. (to add to clam juice)
- 5 slices Bacon, chopped
- 3 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Onion, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme (or 1/4 tsp dried)
- 2 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 1 ¼ tsp Kosher Salt (3/4 tsp table salt) or to taste
- ¼ tsp Pepper
- 1 ½ lbs Potatoes, 4 cups diced (I use gold potatoes and don't peel them. If you use russets, you may want to peel them.)
- ½ tsp Sugar (optional)
- 1 ⅓ cups Half and Half
- 1 ½ Tbsp Potato or Corn Starch (optional, for thickening)
- Chopped Chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Open the cans of clams and drain the clam juice into a 2 cup measuring cup. Add enough water to make 2 cups of liquid. Set the clams and juice/water aside.
- Turn on the pressure cooker's Sauté function and add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fat has rendered out of it, but not crispy.
- Add the butter, onion, celery, and thyme. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to get up all of the brown bits, until the onion starts turning translucent.
- Add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Add the potatoes, sugar (if using) and clam juice/water mixture and stir.
- Put the lid on the pot and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
- Cancel the Sauté function.
- Set to Pressure Cook/Manual, and use the + or - (or dial) to choose 4 minutes (High Pressure). When cook time has ended, let the pot rest undisturbed for 3 minutes, then do a controlled Quick Release.
- When the pin in the lid has dropped down, carefully open the lid, facing away from you, and stir the contents.
- Use a potato masher to carefully mash some or all of the potatoes, as desired.
- Turn the Sauté function back on, and use the Lowest setting (on the IP is called Less).
- Add the clams and the half and half. Let the chowder heat through, but try not to boil it.
- If you want it thicker, you can thicken it with potato or corn starch mixed with some of the half and half, mixed well, and stir it in.
- Turn off the pot and garnish the clam chowder with chopped chives, and serve with crackers or some nice bread or rolls.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Clam Chowder recipe and more
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Great recipe and I will make it again!
Hi there! We live in Seattle and have Ivar’s chowder one too many times 🙂 My son requested it for lunch today and I thought you know what maybe I can just try to do this myself and found your recipe! Eating it now and it is absolutely delicious! It tastes even better so I’ll only there for the fried fish and clams now, haha.
I left out the half an half, added an extra tin of clams and more potatoes so didn’t need the thickening agents. Couldn’t have a better lunch on a typical cold and rainy Seattle fall day. Thank you so much!! This is a keeper.
This is my go-to chowder recipe. Perfect!
This chowder recipe is incredible. My husband and I go clamming and any leftover clams we have from steaming go into this recipe. Everyone we have shared with raves about this chowder!
This was literally life-changing. A truly perfect clam chowder, made weeknight friendly in the instant pot.
My family loves this recipe – made it for my group of girlfriends and it was a huge hit ! They even said it’s better than the local seafood restaurant ! Making it for them again tonight per special request. BTW- I did not change a thing !
I have never left a comment on a recipe before but I felt like I had to for this one! This is an easy, quick and delicious clam chowder. I’ve made it for my family 3 times and even my 3 year old gobbles it up. I did start doubling the clams because we like it extra clammy. Five stars!
I am thinking of doubling it for my upcoming book club meeting – does the pressure cook time change at all with a larger batch?
That’s great, Emily! The cook time won’t change, but the natural release time should be extended as the pot will be much fuller.
I love this recipe but change it a bit. I use a ham steak instead of bacon and because I have no use for left over clam juice I just put the whole bottle of juice in, no water. I also don’t crush the potatos and stir in instant potatoes to thicken it a bit after I add the cream.
Just made this tonight for myself and my 2 kids, aged 15 and 9. They both loved it and requested seconds! Delicious recipe! Will make again!