15 clam soup recipes

New England clam chowder, home-style: minced clams, potato, milk, butter and crisp bacon over a sauteed onion base. A simple, no-cream version that's pantry-friendly and ready fast.

Clam and Corn Chowder with Bacon and Potatoes recipe

Manhattan clam chowder made from scratch with fresh clams, salt pork, potatoes, tomato juice, and thyme. The classic New York red chowder with no cream and real briny clam flavor.

New York-style clam chowder with hard clams, salt pork, potatoes, carrots, canned tomatoes, and thyme in a clear broth. The tomato-based cousin of New England chowder.

New England clam chowder made entirely in the microwave with bacon, canned clams, potatoes, onion, and milk thickened with flour. A creamy, classic chowder ready in about 25 minutes.

Manhattan Island clam chowder is the tomato-based East Coast chowder: littleneck clams steamed open, then simmered in white wine and fresh tomato broth with pork fatback, potatoes, and cracker crumb thickening.

Cape May clam chowder is a Jersey Shore tomato-based chowder with fresh clams, sea scallops, bacon, and herbs. The Mid-Atlantic answer to the New England-versus-Manhattan debate.

Lighter clam chowder made entirely in the microwave with leeks, potatoes, sweet corn, and low-fat milk. No cream, no roux, ready in about 40 minutes.

To the delight of clam lovers on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest, clams are available year round. OK, let's make some clams.

Lightened-up single-serving Boston clam chowder built on chicken broth and low-fat milk instead of cream, with leek, celery, red potato, canned clams and a handful of shredded spinach folded in at the end. Ready in about 30 minutes.

Chopped black olives and canned clams stirred into sour cream with garlic powder and a kick of cayenne. Five minutes of effort, two hours in the fridge, and you've got a briny, creamy party dip.

Creamy sour cream clam dip with lemon juice, celery salt, and minced onion. A no-cook retro appetizer that comes together in minutes using canned clams.

Creamy sherried lobster bisque for two, made with lobster tails, red potatoes, clam juice, and light sour cream blended silky smooth. An intimate, elegant soup finished with dry sherry and thyme.

Pressure-cooked beef roast shredded into a rich tomato-clam broth with mushrooms, onions, and garlic creates an unexpected fusion goulash with Hungarian-seafood soul.

I prefer cherrystones for baked stuffed clams and clams casino. The chowder clams are best chopped for use in soups and sauce