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Seafood Chowder Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

This rich and creamy Seafood Chowder features a delightful mix of fresh and cooked seafood simmered in a buttery roux-based broth with tender carrots, potatoes, and sweet corn. Enhanced by notes of white wine, garlic, and fish sauce, it’s garnished with fresh chives and served best alongside crusty garlic bread. Perfect for a comforting meal that balances heartiness and delicate seafood flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

  • 650g / 1.3lb seafood marinara mix or mixed fresh seafood – fish, squid, prawns, cooked mussel meat
  • Cut any large pieces of fish into 2.5cm / 1″ cubes

Broth and Flavorings

  • 50g (3 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 100g / 4oz streaky bacon, chopped into 1.5cm / 1/2″ squares
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup chardonnay or other dry white wine (optional)
  • 1/3 cup plain/all-purpose flour (for gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 litre (4 cups) low sodium chicken stock or homemade fish stock
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 7mm / 1/3″ pieces (~1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm / 0.2″ cubes (~2 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup thickened cream / heavy cream (milk can be substituted for lighter option)
  • 1 cup corn, frozen or canned, drained
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • Pinch of white pepper (black pepper substitute)

Garnish and Serving

  • 3 tbsp chives or parsley, finely chopped
  • Crusty bread or garlic bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare seafood: Separate cooked seafood such as mussels and any pre-cooked prawns from the raw seafood. Cut any large fish pieces into cubes of about 2.5cm (1 inch).
  2. Cook bacon: In a heavy-based pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until edges turn light golden. Remove bacon pieces using a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  3. Sauté garlic and deglaze: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 10 seconds, making sure it doesn’t brown. Pour in the white wine (if using) and simmer rapidly over high heat for 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen the browned bacon bits. Allow the wine to mostly evaporate.
  4. Make roux: Reduce the heat to medium, then add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste, forming a roux.
  5. Add stock: Gradually pour in about 1 cup of the stock while stirring to dissolve the roux into a thick paste. Then add the remaining stock and stir well to achieve a smooth, lump-free broth. Use a whisk if needed.
  6. Simmer vegetables: Increase heat to high and bring the chowder to a boil. Add the chopped carrots, cubed potatoes, and cooked bacon. Reduce heat to medium and simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes until the carrots are just tender.
  7. Add cream and seafood: Stir in the thickened cream, fish sauce, white pepper, corn, and raw seafood pieces. Simmer for 3 minutes, just until the raw seafood is cooked and flakes easily.
  8. Incorporate cooked seafood: Gently fold the cooked seafood into the chowder. Taste and adjust salt if needed, although the fish sauce usually provides enough seasoning.
  9. Serve: Ladle the chowder into bowls, sprinkle with freshly chopped chives or parsley, and serve immediately with warm crusty or garlic bread for dipping.

Notes

  • Use homemade fish stock for best flavor; avoid store-bought fish stock as it may have artificial flavors.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend appropriate for thickening.
  • Chardonnay or any dry white wine is optional and can be omitted if desired, replacing with additional stock.
  • If you prefer a lighter chowder, substitute heavy cream with whole milk but expect slightly less richness.
  • Fish sauce adds savory umami but start with less and adjust according to taste to avoid overpowering saltiness.
  • Ensure raw seafood is cooked only briefly to prevent toughness.
  • Serve immediately for best texture, as seafood chowder can thicken upon standing.

Keywords: Seafood chowder, seafood soup, creamy seafood chowder, fish chowder, easy seafood recipe, seafood stew, chowder recipe

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/seafood-chowder-recipe/