Imagine a bowl of pure coastal comfort that transports you to the rugged shores of New England with just one spoonful! This Instant Pot Clam Chowder is not just a recipe, it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a luxuriously creamy, flavor-packed meal in under 40 minutes. Whether you're a seafood lover or just craving a hearty soup that screams home-cooked goodness, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cans (6.5 oz each) clams, drained
- 2 cups clam juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping bacon, dicing onion and celery, and peeling and cubing potatoes.
- Select the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and cook chopped bacon until crisp and golden, stirring occasionally, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
- Add diced onions and celery to the bacon fat, sautéing until vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add cubed potatoes, drained clams, clam juice, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine ingredients thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, perform a quick release of pressure.
- Stir in heavy cream and reserved crispy bacon pieces.
- Use the Sauté function to gently heat the chowder for an additional 2-3 minutes until cream is incorporated and chowder is hot.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional crispy bacon bits or fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh clam juice for the most authentic flavor, but store-bought works perfectly fine.
- Don't skip the bacon - it adds a crucial smoky depth to the chowder.
- For extra richness, use thick-cut bacon and save some crispy bits for garnishing.
- Be careful not to overcook the potatoes; they should be tender but not mushy.
- The quick release method is crucial to prevent overcooking the delicate clams.
- If you prefer a thicker chowder, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with the cream before adding.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried, but use about 1/3 the amount.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 90mg
