Instant Pot Clam Chowder
Clam chowder can get a little freaky in my opinion. When it’s bad it’s really bad and when it’s good it’s REALLY good. This one is in the REALLY good camp. It’s my favorite clam chowder I’ve ever had. It is creamy and flavorful - not fishy. My Grandma Alta would make it for parties and it’s been passed around my family for years. It’s one that I hope you will end up loving as much as I do.
*Note: I adapted it for the Instant Pot but you can easily make it without one. Just follow all the steps in the same order but simmer over the stove in a pot instead of cooking in the Instant Pot.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6-8
INGREDIENTS
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup diced celery
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
2 cans minced clams (6.5 oz each)
¾ cup butter
¾ cup flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp sugar
1 quart half and half
INSTRUCTIONS
Chop all your vegetables. Peel your potatoes before chopping them.
Press SAUTE on your Instant Pot and spray some oil or butter along the bottom. Add your onions and celery and sauté for a few minutes just until fragrant.
Add potatoes and just the juice of the 2 cans of minced clams. The actual clams you will set aside to be added last. You don’t want to put them in now or they’ll be tough. It might not seem like enough liquid but it will be enough.
Make sure the rubber ring on your Instant Pot is in place inside of the lid and the vent is set to the "sealing" position. Using the MANUAL setting, or HIGH PRESSURE setting, cook potatoes for 10 minutes. (Factor in that it will take a few minutes to heat up.)
While the vegetables are cooking, melt butter and flour in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add salt, pepper, and sugar. Take it off of the heat once the butter is melted.
When the timer on your Instant Pot goes off, release the pressure using a manual pressure release. Add the butter/flour mixture and the half and half and your clams. *Note here: I usually only add one can of clams cause I don’t love clams that much BUT I’ve had it plenty of times with both cans and I still like it a lot. It’s just whatever you prefer.
Turn your Instant Pot back to SAUTE and stir for a few minutes until your soup thickens up just a bit. Remember to turn the heat off cause cream based soups burn easily!
And voila! You have a pot of delicious creamy clam chowder for dinner or an event. I like to serve it with a soft bread or roll. This would also be a perfect soup to serve in bread bowls.
RECIPE NOTES
*Double the recipe for a party.
