San Francisco Clam Chowder Recipe

San Francisco Clam Chowder Recipe

30 min

For the best west coast clam chowder bread bowl, make our simple San Francisco clam chowder recipe. Enjoy a creamy soup in rustic sourdough!

Ingredients

  • 9 cups minced clams (*See Notes)
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 cups cubed potatoes (dice into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • ¾ cup butter
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 quart half-and-half cream (or 50/50 combination of whole milk and heavy cream)
  • 2 teaspoons all purpose seasoning ((we prefer Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse seasoning))
  • salt and ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions

  1. 1

    Drain juice from clams into a 6-quart saucepan or stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. If needed, add water to cover the vegetables, and simmer over medium heat until tender.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, in a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until bubbly. Gradually whisk in half-and-half, about 1 cup at a time, and keep whisking until thick and smooth.

  3. 3

    Add half-and-half mixture to pot with vegetables. Stir in clams just before serving. When clams are heated through, stir in seasoning, then salt and pepper, to taste.