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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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Sandy’s Instant Pot Beef Stew
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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Loved this recipe . Wouldn’t change a thing. My husband loves Legal Seafoods clam chowder and this was exactly like it. Since I used fat free half and half, it wasn’t as creamy as legal seafoods , but healthier and just as delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thank you, Priya! I’ve never had that brand, but it sounds good. So happy yu liked this recipe!
I made this into a seafood chowder by adding scallops and shrimp! Amazing but next time I’ll make it thicker!
This was fantastic. Seriously. Make this recipe.
It won’t let me give it any stars. This is the second time I tried to give your site a review and can’t give it stars.
FYI, this is 470 calories per bowl if you make 6 servings out of it. 560 calories if you eat it in 4 servings. But that’s why it’s so delicious! I made it tonight and it was very good, with no need for thickener.
I just made this! I’m new to the instant pot and I’m in love. Thank you for the recipe. We’re using bread bowls.
Thank you, Monica! I’m so glad you liked it! Bread bowls are so fun!
Delicious! And soo soo easy! I was always intimidated by clam chowder. Just a side note – if your using canned clams some have sugar added, and it made the soup sweeter than I would have liked. I didn’t even think to check the label!
Oh that’s good to know! Thanks for the tip. Sugar?! huh. Well I’m glad you liked it!
Sandy,
Thank you for posting this recipe. Our family absolutely loves it!
– Matt
I’m so happy that your family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you!
I’ve made this a few times now. I usually add in a cqrrot and have more like 2-3 pounds of potatoes.
I use this for a dairy-free clan chowder. I double the garlic and use a can of coconut milk instead of half and half, plus nutritional yeast for the flavor. Before I started making this, I hadn’t had clam chowder in years, since before I was diagnosed with a milk allergy.
Once again I am pleasantly surprised!! I subbed radishes for potatoes and used heavy cream….so amazing!!
Hi Miranda! Radishes! What a great idea! Thank you for the tip, and for your review!
This soup was awesome. I will add more clams next time and thicken it a little more and it will be perfect. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe.
Ever since I was eating chowder in Martha’s Vineyard earlier last year I have been craving it! My husband and I made this tonight and it was so good! I added a can of organic corn towards the end (instead of the starch) as someone else suggested.and it definitely added to the taste of the soup. Great recipe! Thank you!!
That’s nice, Morgan! Thank you for your review, and the tip about the corn!