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–+ servings
A bowl of Clam Chowder

Easy Instant Pot Clam Chowder

This Instant Pot Clam Chowder has a super creamy base, tender potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, seasoned with fresh thyme and made even richer with the addition of bacon.

Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot

4.50 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Pressurizing Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 325 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 3 tablespoons (42 g) butter
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 small carrot chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9 g) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
  • 3 cups (710 g) gold potatoes skinned and diced (about 1.25 pounds)
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups (473 ml) water or clam juice & reserved clam juice
  • 13 oz (369 g) chopped clams juice reserved, 2 - 6.5 oz cans
  • 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water optional

Instructions
 

  • Turn on saute mode on the Instant Pot. When hot, add the bacon and cook until the fat is rendered. Remove from pot.
  • Add the butter, onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a spatula to remove the browned bits. Add in the potatoes and 2 of the sprigs of thyme.
  • Turn off saute mode.
  • Drain the clam juice into a liquid measuring cup. Fill with water or additional clam juice to 2 cups. Pour the clam juice mixture into the pot. Add the bacon and lock on the lid. Set the vent to sealing.
  • Pressure cook for 4 minutes on high. When done, allow the pressure to release for 3 minutes, then manually release remaining pressure. Open the lid and stir.
  • Using a potato masher, mash some of the potatoes to thicken the soup, leaving some potato chunks for texture.
  • Turn back on saute mode (on low if possible). Add in the clams and cream. Simmer until warmed through. To thicken more, add optional cornstarch mixed with water, and stir the soup until thickened. Taste and season as necessary. Serve with additional fresh thyme on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 630mgPotassium: 626mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2637IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Clams, Potatoes
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