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Slow Cooker Clam Chowder in a white bowl

Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

Slow Cooker Clam Chowder tastes amazing! The flavor is rich, and has just the right amount of clam flavor. With potatoes, bacon, and other yummy ingredients.

Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword crock pot clam chowder recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 261 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • 6 slices Thick Cut Smoky Bacon, chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
  • 1 med Onion, diced
  • 1 rib Celery, diced
  • 1 ½ lbs Potatoes, peeled & cubed
  • 3 (6.5 oz) cans Clams, with juice
  • ¼ teaspoon Thyme Leaves, dried (not ground)
  • 2 lg cloves Garlic, pressed
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt (or ¾ tsp table salt)
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • ½ cup Clam Juice (or Low Sodium Chicken Broth or water)
  • 1 ½ cups Half and Half
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons Corn Starch or Potato Starch

Garnish

  • 2 Tablespoons Chives, Half and Half
  • 2 Tablespoons Parsley, chopped
  • Oyster Crackers

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon and set on a paper towel to drain. Set aside.

  2. In the same pan, remove all but 2 tsp of the bacon fat. Add the butter to the pan, along with the onion and celery. Cook over med heat, stirring occasionally, until softened.

  3. Meanwhile, add the potatoes, clams and their juice, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper, and broth to a slow cooker that is 4 qt size or larger.

  4. Add the cooked onion/celery mixture to the crock.

  5. Add ¾ of the cooked bacon, reserving the other ¼ for garnish.

  6. Cook on Low for 3 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.

  7. Whisk together the corn starch and half and half. Add to the slow cooker and stir. Turn heat to High and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through cook time.

  8. Serve garnished with reserved bacon and chives, oyster crackers, or parsley.