LIGHTENED UP NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

I’ve always loved New England clam chowder, how could you not? All that rich, creamy flavor from full-fat cream and butter is incredible, but I wanted to create a healthy clam chowder that still delivers that decadent, buttery taste without all the extra cream and fat. And let me tell you… I nailed it!

In this recipe, I use tender baby Yukon Gold potatoes and just a touch of light butter to boost flavor, creaminess, and that classic buttery feel, without relying on heavy cream. Fat-free milk makes this chowder luxuriously creamy while keeping it lighter and healthier. The result is a thick and cozy soup that proves you truly don’t need all the butter and cream to enjoy a comforting bowl of chowder. Trust me, you’ll want to run to the store for the ingredients and dive in immediately!

For another delicious chowder, try our chicken corn chowder next!

Lightened Up Clam Chowder Recipe

This New England clam chowder is lightened up. It is super creamy, and there is no heavy cream and only a small amount of butter in this recipe. We used fat-free milk instead of cream. Also, we used baby Yukon Gold potatoes, which are super creamy. This recipe is incredibly delicious, and you can’t even tell it’s lightened up!

Ingredients Needed

• Light Butter: All you need is a tablespoon of light butter for this recipe!
• Celery: Adds crunch and flavor to the base.
• Onion: For depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Adds a savory flavor to the clam chowder.
• Salt & Pepper: Season with salt and pepper.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seasoning that pairs perfectly with clams.
• Thyme: Adds a burst of fresh flavor.
• Flour: Helps thicken the clam chowder.
• Clam Juice: One bottle of clam juice for a rich flavor.
• Milk: Use fat-free milk or your milk of choice.
• Clams: Add one can of clams to this clam chowder.
• Potatoes: Baby Yukon gold potatoes add a creamy texture.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses the broth with subtle flavor.
• Parsley: Top with fresh parsley for freshness.

Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

• Potatoes to Use: I like using baby Yukon Gold potatoes for this healthy clam chowder. Just wash and quarter them, there’s no peeling required! Their buttery flavor add to the creamy and rich texture of the soup. Or, you can use regular-sized Yukon gold potatoes, peel them if preferred.
• Milk to Use: I used fat-free milk in this clam chowder recipe. You can use any milk of your choice. Some other great options are 1% milk, whole milk, oat milk, and unsweetened almond milk.
• Clams to Use: We used one can of canned clams in this recipe. If you want more clams in your clam chowder, you can absolutely use 2 cans of clams. Fresh clams will also work. I was trying to be budget-friendly by using one can. Any clams you choose will be a delicious choice in your chowder.
• Fresh or Dried Herbs: We love using fresh herbs whenever possible. Fresh thyme adds amazing flavor to this clam chowder recipe. However, dried herbs will work if that’s what you have on hand, just use half the amount.
• White Pepper Swap: We used white pepper, which is often added to potato dishes and creamy soups. It has a mild, earthy flavor compared to black pepper. If you don’t have white pepper, black pepper works just fine since the recipe doesn’t call for much.

How To Make Healthy Clam Chowder

Step 1: Dice the celery and white onion. Then, cut the potatoes into quarters.

Step 2: Add the light butter to your Dutch oven or large pot and sauté the celery, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, Old Bay seasoning, and fresh chopped thyme. Cook these ingredients.

Step 3: Add the flour to the Dutch oven and mix.

Step 4: Add the clam juice and milk. Also, drain the juice from the canned clams into the Dutch oven, but do not add the clams yet.

Step 5: Add the chopped potatoes and bay leaf to the Dutch oven. Bring everything to a low simmer and stir occasionally.

Step 6: Once the potatoes are cooked, remove the bay leaf from the Dutch oven and mash the potatoes.

Step 7: Add the clams to the Dutch oven and simmer for a few minutes.

Step 8: Serve the New England clam chowder and enjoy!

How To Serve Clam Chowder

Once the soup is done, sprinkle some fresh flat-leaf parsley on top. We love to enjoy this clam chowder with soup crackers or crusty bread. To kick it up a notch, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can even top with cooked crumbled bacon. See our post on how to cook bacon in the oven for an easy option!

For a delicious pairing, we love serving this clam chowder with our Caesar salad, healthy coleslaw, or veggie sides like air fryer corn on the cob and air fryer green beans. Or, try it with our air fryer salmon, healthy salmon bowls, classic shrimp salad, cucumber shrimp salad, or air fryer shrimp.

Storage Instructions

This healthy New England clam chowder will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

More Healthy Soup Recipes to Try!

• Creamy Potato Soup Easy and Healthy
• Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
• Healthy Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup
• Roasted Tomato Soup With Basil
• Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
• Easy Pumpkin Soup
• Butternut Squash Apple Soup

If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.