Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Senior Culinary Director
Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.
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Updated Aug. 29, 2018
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Photographs: Daniel Gritzer

Far less popular than creamy New England clam chowder, Rhode Island's dairy-free version deserves a lot more attention. The rich broth is brightened with white wine and loaded with the flavor of clams, chunks of tender potato, and bits of smoky bacon. It may be my new go-to chowder.

Why this recipe works:

  • This lighter version of clam chowder emphasizes the briny flavor of the clams without the richness of cream or other dairy.
  • Good white chicken stock creates a broth that's rich and flavorful without overpowering the briny flavor of the clams.
  • Bacon adds a light smoky flavor.

Note: If you are using homemade chicken stock that already has lots of gelatin (i.e., it should thicken and gel when chilled), you can omit the unflavored gelatin here; if your stock is store-bought, or if it's homemade but watery even when chilled, the unflavored gelatin is an essential ingredient. If using homemade stock, skip step 2.

Recipe Details

Rhode Island Clam Chowder With White Wine and Bacon Recipe

Active 35 mins
Total 95 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds live cherrystone or littleneck clams

  • Kosher salt

  • 3 thick-cut slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 ounces)

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 medium carrots, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 2 medium cloves garlic, roughly chopped (about 2 teaspoons)

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 1 quart homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock

  • 2 packets (1/2 ounce) unflavored gelatin (only if using store-bought stock or thin homemade stock; see note)

  • 2 sprigs thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced

  • Minced parsley, for garnish

Directions

  1. Scrub clams well under running water and set in a large bowl. Cover with cold water and add enough salt to make water taste salty like the sea. Let clams stand for about 30 minutes, then lift from water and rinse. Inspect soaking water: if there is sand on the bottom of the bowl, discard water, rinse bowl well, and repeat soaking procedure until sand no longer accumulates on bottom of bowl.

  2. Meanwhile, place stock in a large liquid measuring cup and sprinkle gelatin over the top. (See note).

  3. Add bacon to Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp and fat has rendered, about 7 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.

  4. Add wine, bring to a simmer, and cook until alcohol smell has cooked off, about 4 minutes. Add stock, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf and bring to a simmer.

  5. Add clams. Cover and cook until clams begin to open, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer clams to a large heatproof bowl as they open. If any clams don't open, transfer them to a separate bowl, and attempt to open them by sliding a knife between the shells: any clams that smell good can be added to the others (discard any that smell bad or are filled with mud). Allow clams to cool slightly.

  6. Add potatoes to soup and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, remove clam meat from shells. Discard shells and roughly chop clam meat, collecting all juices that accumulate. Skim most of the fat from the surface of the soup.

  7. Add clam meat back to soup along with any juices and season with salt. Transfer to bowls, garnish with parsley and serve.

Special equipment

Dutch oven or soup pot

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
240 Calories
8g Fat
21g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 240
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 1085mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 19mg 93%
Calcium 79mg 6%
Iron 2mg 14%
Potassium 864mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)