My sister-in-law makes the BEST clam chowder and I’ve been able to tweak it just enough that it works for me and my dietary needs. There is one ingredient you can not tweak and that’s bacon. If someone knows about vegan bacon, please share!! I reduced the amount in the recipe. One of my favorite experiences, living in the Pacific Northwest, was lunch down on the sound. We’d have a bowl of clam chowder and a glass of chardonnay and look out over the water that sparkled like diamonds. Enjoying a bowl of clam chowder brings back that memory AND….it’s delicious!!!! (Even have a little rain in the picture which really brings back memories of living in the Pacific Northwest. ha!! )
Sautee:
1 medium chopped onion
1 minced garlic clove
ADD:
2 Tbl. bacon bits (the original recipe calls for 1/4 cup)
2 cans of minced clams and their juice
1 bottle of clam juice
1 c. raw potato cubes
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. of non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
1 can of coconut milk
Cook until the potatoes are tender. You can thicken with 2 Tbl. spoons of cornstarch and 1/4 c. of water if you like your soup thicker. (because I did mine in the instant pot, I added the cornstarch and water right from the get go. We like our soup a little thinner and this consistency was perfect for us. I know others mash about 1/2 of the potatoes in the chowder to get a little thicker consistency as well. Explore your options. 🙂 The original recipe used 2 cups of milk. I replaced this with 1 bottle clam juice and 1 cup of non-dairy milk and 1 can of coconut milk. WOW!!! I wouldn’t change this substitution even if I were not vegan with seafood exceptions and apparently, a little bacon exception when it comes to clam chowder.
I love the way you have tweaked it. I bet it tastes awesome!
Thanks!! It really is yummy and tastes enough like the real clam chowder that I do not feel deprived. To be honest, I am going to leave out the bacon next time. I think with the minced clams in there, I would not miss the texture of the bacon bits. Plus, I don’t think the bacon added enough difference to make it non-vegan. The bacon bits would be easy to add if you do miss it..or… you can add it to the bowls that want it and leave it out of the bowls that don’t ha! ( Don’t forget about those REAL bacon bits found near the salad dressings at Costco that once opened have to be refrigerated. I Keep the little pouch in the freezer and only break off what I need. I love having bacon available without messing up my stove top!!! )