Craving clam chowder? Make this homemade Instant Pot Clam Chowder in just 30 minutes. It’s hearty, delicious and the perfect comfort food. Made with real food ingredients and gluten free.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Clam Chowder Recipe
Want some hearty comfort food for dinner? Enjoy this homemade Instant Pot Clam Chowder. It just about the same time it takes to open up a can of clam chowder and heat it up, you can make your own from scratch in the Instant Pot.
The prep work is really minimal – just about 5 minutes – and you can let the Instant Pot do all the work while you help the kids with homework or do other things. It’s the easy button for dinner.
How to Make This Clam Chowder – Step by Step
Instant Pot Option
1. Turn Instant Pot on to saute mode and cook bacon and onions until bacon has browned.
2. Add in clams (with the juice if you have it) and potatoes and stir together.
3. Add arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) and stir together.
4. Add water, salt and pepper, stirring to mix.
5. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and turn pressure valve to sealing. Set for a manual-high time of 3 minutes. Allow for a quick pressure release when the time has completed.
6. Add half and half and turn on saute mode to heat through. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
Stovetop Option
- In a large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy.
- Add onions, clams, potatoes, salt, pepper and stir well.
- Mix arrowroot powder into the water, and stir together. Be sure all of the arrowroot powder is mixed in so there’s no clumps. Pour into the pot.
- Add seasonings. Mix well.
- Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until done.
- Add half and half, and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
- Serve up in bowls, and add your favorite toppings.
Slow Cooker Option
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from the pan.
- In a slow cooker, add bacon, clams and potatoes, salt and pepper, and stir well.
- Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours.
- When done, mix arrowroot powder into the water, and stir together. Be sure all of the arrowroot powder is mixed in so there’s no clumps. Pour into the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Add half and half. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
- Cook an additional 20-30 minutes on high heat.
- Serve up in bowls, and add your favorite toppings.
Can I make Instant Pot clam chowder thicker?
I think if you follow the recipe you will end up with a soup that has a a great consistency. However if you want your soup thicker, you can add a bit more arrowroot powder (just be sure to mix it with a little water so there’s no clumps). Try 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder with 1 tbsp of water and check the consistency. Add more as needed. This will help the soup to reach a thicker consistency. If you want the soup to be thinner you can add additional broth, or add milk to the soup during blending until the desired consistency is reached.
What can I substitute for arrowroot powder?
Either cornstarch or tapioca flour will work. They all help to thicken the soup.
How long can I store this soup in the fridge?
Leftover clam chowder soup will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I prefer to store food in plastic free containers but any airtight container will do.
Can I make Instant Pot clam soup ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes. This soup is great for meal prep as you can batch cook several portions and freeze for later. Or save any leftover clam chowder soup in the freezer. Allow the soup to cool fully before transferring to an airtight container and freezing for up to 3 months. Note, do not freeze with the toppings. The toppings should be made when you’re ready to serve it.
How do I reheat clam chowder soup?
I actually got rid of my microwave, but you may prefer to use one to reheat clam chowder soup or check out my guide of ways to reheat food without a microwave. You can also reheat using the Instant Pot, or warm clam chowder soup on the stove until hot through. If you find the soup has thickened when you reheat, add a splash of broth to thin it out.
What to Eat with This Instant Pot Clam Chowder
This comforting Instant Pot Clam Chowder is a meal in itself, but a nice side dish is always welcome. You can go simple and classic with some crusty bread (gluten free) and top with crispy bacon. Here are some other ideas for delicious sides:
- Corn on the cob
- Caesar salad or warm spinach salad
- Baked potatoes
Can You Freeze This Instant Pot Clam Chowder?
Properly stored, cooked clam chowder will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked clam chowder, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. To prevent cream-based clam chowders from curdling once thawed, stir well when reheating the chowder.
Top Tips for Instant Pot Clam Chowder
- Use saute mode to cook your bacon and onions first in the pot.
- Remember to delay the dairy. Milk, cream and cheeses don’t do well in the super-heated environment that is inside your pressure cooker – they can scorch or curdle. Wait until after pressure cooking is finished to add them.
- Remember to season and mix well.
- Serve with crusty gluten-free bread, gluten-free crackers or even a nice fresh side salad.
More Instant Pot Meals
- Top 50 Gluten-Free and Paleo Instant Pot Recipes {Pressure Cooker}
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Top 10 Instant Pot Accessories You Need
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Instant Pot Clam Chowder (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 4 cans chopped clams 6.5 oz cans)
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 8 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp Himalayan or sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups half and half
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot on to saute mode and cook bacon and onions until bacon has browned.
- Add clams and potatoes to the mixture.
- Add arrowroot powder and stir together.
- Add water and seasonings. Mix well.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and turn pressure valve to sealing. Set for a manual-high time of 3 minutes. Allow for a quick pressure release when the time has completed.
- Add half and half and turn on saute mode to heat through. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
Notes
- In a large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy.
- Add onions, clams, potatoes, salt, pepper and stir well.
- Mix arrowroot powder into the water, and stir together. Be sure all of the arrowroot powder is mixed in so there’s no clumps. Pour into the pot.
- Add seasonings. Mix well.
- Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until done.
- Add half and half, and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
- Serve up in bowls, and add your favorite toppings.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from the pan.
- In a slow cooker, add bacon, clams and potatoes, salt and pepper, and stir well.
- Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours.
- When done, mix arrowroot powder into the water, and stir together. Be sure all of the arrowroot powder is mixed in so there’s no clumps. Pour into the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Add half and half. Add additional salt and pepper as needed, to taste.
- Cook an additional 20-30 minutes on high heat.
- Serve up in bowls, and add your favorite toppings.
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I was looking for an IP clam chowder recipe and decided on this one. It was SO good!!