New England Fish Chowder

5 from 62 votes

Making delicious soups like my creamy New England Fish Chowder isn’t difficult. It’s all about the ingredients and a few simple techniques. And of course, using my fish chowder recipe will make it even easier.

overhead partial view of New England Style Fish Chowder

My creamy fish chowder is made from simple ingredients and is as good if not better than any restaurant fish chowder you’ve ever had. And I should know, I made this soup for years in my restaurants!

This may not be a “classic New England Chowder”, it’s a new and improved Fish Chowder that you’re going to love!

Ingredients to make a New England Fish Chowder?

overhead view of ingredients to make fish chowder

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Fish Chowder. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

What kind of fish can I use to make Chowder?

In my restaurant days, I would make this soup out of whatever fish I had left over. You can even save cooked fish in your freezer and use that to make a seafood chowder.

These are some of my favorite fish to use in my chowder.

halibut
pollock
haddock
salmon

Or use a combination of your favorite meaty white fish and seafood you have on hand.

How do I make New England Fish Chowder?

In a large pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat, cook the bacon until almost done (leave the bacon grease in the pan). Add the onions, celery and chopped carrots and continue cooking for 5-6 minutes.

roux added to sauteed vegetables and bacon

Reduce the heat to low and add the flour to the pot to make a roux. This will thicken the soup.

Allow the roux to cook over low heat for 5- 7 minutes, but don’t let the roux get dark or burn.

Heat the stock in a saucepan over medium-high heat while the roux is cooking. Add the hot stock to the roux and mix well using a wire whisk.

I use chicken stock in my seafood soups because it gives the soup a better flavor and a better mouth feel. Feel free to use clam juice or fish stock if you prefer.

potatoes, corn and fresh thyme added to pot

Add the potatoes, sweet corn, and fresh thyme into the pot at this time stirring them into the soup.

I used Yukon gold potatoes in my fish soup, but you can also use red potatoes.

Add the milk and heavy cream to the soup, mixing well. Bring the soup to a light boil, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

adding halibut to the pot and re-seasoning soup

After allowing the soup to simmer, add the chopped cod fillets and black pepper. Let the soup continue to simmer over low heat for an additional 15-20 minutes. Or until the halibut is fully cooked.

*If the soup gets to thick, add water to pot. I wouldn’t add any more dairy at this point, just water.

Serve this delicious Fish Chowder with crusty bread or oyster crackers and watch the smiles around the dinner table!

Recipe FAQ’s

How long will my Chowder hold up in the refrigerator?

Fish chowder will hold up for 4 days in your refrigerator. And the truth is it will taste better the second day when the ingredients have to time build their flavors.

Can I freeze Fish Chowder?

Yes, you can. Let it fully thaw in your refrigerator before heating, and you may need to add a little water to thin the soup out.
*Reheat the chowder to a minimum of 165 degrees for one minute before serving.

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5 from 62 votes

Restaurant Style New England Fish Chowder

Making delicious restaurant-style soups in your kitchen isn't difficult. It's all about the ingredients and a few simple techniques. And my New England Style Fish Chowder is a perfect example of a restaurant-style soup that you can make in your own kitchen for your family and friends.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 15

Total Time1 30

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 380kcal

Author: Chef Dennis Littley

Ingredients

1 pound cod or other fish or combination of seafood
2 cups chicken stock
4 strips bacon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion small dice
4 stalks celery small dice
2 large carrots small dice
1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
2 medium potatoes cut into ¼-inch cubes
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
½ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon black pepper

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a 4- 6 quart soup pot add the bacon and cook until almost done over medium-high heat
Add the butter, onion, celery, and carrots, to the pot. Continue to cook the mixture for 4-6 minutes. Stirring the mixture as needed.
Reduce the heat to low and add in the flour, making the roux that will thicken the soup.
Allow the roux to cook over low heat for 5- 7 minutes, but don’t let the roux get dark or burn.
Heat the stock in a saucepan while the roux is cooking. Add the hot stock to the roux and mix well using a wire whisk.
Add the potatoes, corn and fresh thyme into the pot at this time stirring them into the soup.
Add the milk and heavy cream to the soup. Bring to a light boil, reduce the heat to simmer and allow to simmer for 30-45 minutes.
After allowing the soup to simmer, add the cod and black pepper. Let the soup continue to simmer over low heat for an additional 15-20 minutes. Or until the halibut is fully cooked.
**If the soup gets to thick, add water to pot. I wouldn't add any more dairy at this point, just water.
Serve with crusty bread or crackers.

Nutrition

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