What is chowder? Is it really all that different from soup?
Here’s the REAL Difference Between Chowder and Soup
Updated on Feb. 05, 2021
When I went to culinary school, we spent a lot of time discussing soup. It started by mastering stock before moving on to producing consomme, brothy soups with simple additions, thick pureed soups and chunky stews. By the time we finally tackled chowder, I certainly felt like a soup expert!
What Is Soup?
There are a lot of subcategories of soup, but at its most basic, it’s a liquid made with water or broth. It can be clear (like chicken noodle soup) or thick (like bisque and other cream-based soups). Some soups contain solid ingredients, including vegetables, meat or fish, while others are pureed after combining the ingredients to create a smooth concoction. If the soup contains more chunky ingredients than liquid, it’s often referred to as a stew instead of a soup.
Soup is usually cooked and served hot, although there are several cold soups that don’t require any cooking (we’re looking at you, gazpacho).
What Is Chowder?
Chowder is a rich, creamy soup that often contains clams and potatoes. Seafood chowders are typical in the Northeast, with New England clam chowder being the most famous. Other seafood chowders skip the clams and swap in scallops, shrimp, lobster, crab or even fish like cod or smoked salmon.
Southwestern chowders, on the other hand, feature Mexican spices and usually contain corn. Since seafood isn’t abundant in this part of the country, these chowders tend to use meats like bacon, ham, chorizo or chicken instead.
Of course, meat and seafood aren’t requirements when making chowder. You can create a robust vegetarian chowder by combining hearty vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, winter squash or mushrooms.
Chowder vs. Soup: What’s the Difference?
While soups can be thin and light, a chowder is characterized by being rich and thick. Like stew, it contains large chunks of meat or seafood and vegetables, notably potatoes. Regardless of the ingredients used, chowder is always chunky, and most variations are creamy (although Manhattan clam chowder breaks from the mold and uses a tomato base instead of cream or milk). Finally, it’s always served hot. Cold chowder would be…weird.
The Best Chowder Recipes to Keep You Warm
Creamy Vegetable ChowderThis rich, comforting soup recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. You can lower the fat content by using turkey bacon, vegetable broth and skim milk. It's delicious either way. —Suzanna VandeBrake, Peyton, Colorado
Mushroom Corn ChowderChock-full of veggies, ham and cheese in every spoonful, this thick, creamy chowder will take the chill off even the nippiest of fall evenings. Serve it with crusty French bread. —Elaine Krupsky, Las Vegas, Nevada
Simple Shrimp ChowderShrimp fans will be bowled over by this tasty take on chowder. The creamy broth is chock-full of vegetables. Chop up leftover cooked potatoes or use canned ones. —Carolyn Schmeling, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Ramen Corn ChowderThis tastes so good, as if it simmered for hours, but it’s ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed it up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Cheddar Seafood ChowderShrimp and scallops make this thick, cheesy and chunky chowder extra special. It’s packed with veggies, and the crispy bacon makes a yummy garnish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamy Asparagus ChowderAlthough this soup is best when made with fresh asparagus, you can use frozen or canned. I like to blanch and freeze asparagus in portions just right for this recipe so I can make our favorite chowder all year. —Shirley Beachum, Shelby, Michigan
Pumpkin Clam ChowderWhen autumn arrives, I'm eager to celebrate with warm and cozy comfort food like this pumpkin clam chowder. Use fresh clams if they are available. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Halibut & Potato ChowderSeveral times a year I invite both my retired and current teaching friends to a dinner party with their spouses. I've served this halibut chowder at those parties, and it's always a big hit. —Teresa Lueck, Onamia, Minnesota
Mexican Street Corn SoupCorn is one of my all-time favorite vegetables, so when it's in season, I always make this super easy soup in the slow cooker. —Rashanda Cobbins, Food Editor, Taste of Home
Best Seafood ChowderThis seafood chowder recipe will transport you to coastal Maine.
Carrot ChowderMy husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama
Coconut Shrimp ChowderAfter eating a coconut soup at a Thai restaurant, I added coconut milk in my fish chowder recipe. The fresh, simple ingredients allow the seafood to shine. —Michalene Baskett, Decatur, Georgia
Seafood Chowder with Seasoned Oyster CrackersChock-full of fish, shrimp and scallops, this comforting chowder has been pleasing my family for many years. The seasoned oyster crackers add a bit of spice.—Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
Cheesy Chicken ChowderI like to serve this hearty chowder as a meal with garlic bread and a salad. It's a wonderful dish to prepare for any occasion. The rich, mild flavor and the tender chicken and vegetables appeal even to children and picky eaters. —Hazel Fritchie, Palestine, Illinois
Rustic Fish ChowderPresident John F. Kennedy's affinity for fish chowder was likely inspired by his love of sailing off the coast of New England. In my version, I use fresh halibut my brother-in-law, a commercial fisherman, catches in Kodiak, Alaska. Top servings with grated Parmesan, minced green onions or a few drops of hot sauce.
Loaded Broccoli-Cheese Potato ChowderFor anyone who loves baked potatoes or broccoli cheese soup, this is the best of both worlds. If you have bacon lovers, offer crumbled cooked bacon as a topping. Then everyone is happy, carnivore or not! —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida
Creamy Chicken Corn ChowderMy 10-year-old son and I devised the recipe for this rich and comforting soup. Now it's a family favorite. —Terrie Sowders, Carthage, Indiana
Instant Pot Clam ChowderAll you need is 20 minutes of prep time to enjoy a creamy bowl of this Instant Pot clam chowder any night of the week.
Bean Counter ChowderThis hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it's so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Sausage Corn ChowderRich and hearty Sausage Corn Chowder combines savory pork sausage with sweet corn and tender potatoes for a comforting meal. This creamy soup is easy to make and perfect for cooler days, offering a satisfying balance of flavors and textures in every spoonful.
Traditional New England Clam ChowderI left a cruise ship with a great souvenir...the recipe for this splendid chowder! It's a traditional soup that stands the test of time.
—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Priscilla’s Vegetable ChowderThis is the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold fall or winter day. Serve it in a bread bowl to make it extra special. —Rhodes Bake-N-Serv, Jenna Jackson, Salt Lake City, Utah
Fish ChowderThis New England fish chowder combines flaky haddock, tender potatoes and an ultra-creamy broth, creating a comforting soup ideal for any season.
Broccoli ChowderSue Call of Beech Grove, Indiana serves this comforting soup on chilly stay-at-home evenings. Nutmeg seasons the light creamy broth that's chock-full of tender broccoli florets and diced potatoes.
Slow-Cooked Manhattan Clam ChowderI came up with this simple, delicious soup years ago when my husband and I both worked. It's easy to dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning...and wonderful to come home to the aroma of dinner ready. —Mary Dixon, Northville, Michigan
Rich Seafood ChowderThis creamy, delectable soup is even better the next day. It also works well with scallops or a flaky whitefish. Substitute half-and-half or heavy cream for all or part of the milk to make this soup even richer. —Anita Culver, Royersford, Pennsylvania
Mexican Corn ChowderCreamy, savory, cheesy and bold, Mexican corn chowder is a definite crowd-pleaser that will make a happy addition to your winter soup recipe arsenal.
Crab and Corn ChowderLooking for a hearty, delicious soup? Try our crab and corn chowder, a decadent soup stocked with secret ingredients that make it particularly rich and flavorful.
Chicken Chili ChowderOne chilly April afternoon, I craved a hearty soup but had less than an hour to prepare a meal. I came up with this chowder that uses pantry ingredients, and everyone thought it hit the spot. —Jenna Rempe, Lincoln, NE
Hearty Quinoa & Corn ChowderMy grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky
Veggie ChowderPacked with potatoes, carrots and corn, this soup is a great healthy dinner choice. It's not too heavy, so it also makes a nice light partner for a sandwich. —Vicki Kerr, Portland, Maine
Cheddar Potato ChowderI only made this soup occasionally because the original recipe was quite high in fat. I doctored it up a bit, using healthier ingredients, and now we eat this rich flavorful chowder more often.—Ellie Rausch of Goodsoil, Saskatchewan
Corn ChowderThis corn chowder gets its luscious texture from cream-style corn, buttery onions and chunky potatoes. It's light enough to taste refreshing in the summertime yet hearty enough to serve as a warming winter meal.
Hearty Cheeseburger ChowderCheeseburger Chowder is a delightful fusion of ground beef, tender potatoes and creamy cheddar cheese. This hearty, comforting chowder combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger into a rich, satisfying dish ideal for cozy family dinners or casual gatherings.
Cheeseburger Broccoli ChowderI invented this soup accidentally! Actually, it came about when I was new to cooking, and didn't know that "chowder" was a kind of soup—so I made mashed potatoes to go with the dish I was making. We ended up dunking our mashed potatoes into the soup as "gravy"—and it was delicious!—Karen Davies, Wanipigow, Manitoba
Chicken Fajita SoupThis south-of-the-border chicken fajita soup is a set-and-forget slow-cooker recipe that's a winner at family dinners and potlucks alike. Top it off with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro.
Potato SoupI decided to add some character to a basic potato chowder with a jar of roasted red peppers. The extra flavor gives a deliciously different twist to an otherwise ordinary soup. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Manhattan Clam ChowderMeet Manhattan clam chowder, the lesser-known (though equally delicious) cousin to New England's most famous soup recipe.
Potato ChowderThere's no topping a savory potato chowder on a chilly day, especially if it's garnished with crispy bacon bits and chopped chives. This slow-cooker recipe is easy to assemble and so comforting to come home to.
Ham ChowderThis ham chowder recipe is chock-full of ham, bacon, potatoes and cheese—all ingredients we love on their own, but even more so together. A warm bowl will warm you up from the inside, out!
Zippy Chicken and Corn ChowderGently spiced corn chowder is always a good option for kids, but feel free to rev up yours with hot pepper sauce. This chowder’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. —Andrea Early, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Clam ChowderEnjoy a big bowl of award-winning clam chowder, a traditional favorite from the New England coast. It's creamy and chock-full of clams, potatoes, bacon and more.
Curried Chicken Corn ChowderThis recipe is close to one my mom used to make for us kids when the weather turned cold. Hers called for heavy cream, but I came up with a slimmer version that I think is pretty true to the original! —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Smoky Cheddar, Ham and Corn ChowderWhen I'm making a pot of Smoky Cheddar Corn Chowder, no one misses dinner. Smoked cheese the flavor to another level. —Danielle Crawford, Pelzer, SC
Southwest Chicken Barley ChowderMashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it's a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. —Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana
Corn Chowder with BaconWarm up on a cold winter day with corn chowder with bacon and potatoes. Our recipe is loaded with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes, smoky bacon and sweet corn in a rich and creamy broth. We also use a smart ingredient swap so the soup can thicken naturally without cornstarch or flour.
Fresh Corn & Potato ChowderThis soup was one of my favorites as a child in upstate New York, and I still love it today. For extra depth, place the spent cob in the soup, simmer, then remove. —Tracy Bivins, Knob Noster, Missouri
Chicken, Asparagus & Corn ChowderChicken and asparagus make a light, comforting soup that’s easy to do with common ingredients. If we have rotisserie chicken, it goes into this soup. —Jennifer Vo, Irvine, California
Shrimp ChowderMove over, clam chowder! This shrimp chowder recipe is family-approved and ready to hit the table.
Ham & Potato-Rutabaga ChowderThe ingredients in this dish are a nod to my mother's tasty potato and rutabaga side dish, which was always paired with baked country ham; dishes she served during the cold months when I was a child. Whenever I make this chowder it brings me back to a time when life was just a little bit simpler. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Bacon-Cheeseburger ChowderThe taste of a good bacon cheeseburger is hard to beat until you try this cheeseburger chowder! It's hearty, convenient and family-friendly. —Kristin Stone, Little Elm, Texas
Instant Pot Corn ChowderThis recipe for instant pot corn chowder is an absolute gem. It's topped with chopped fresh parsley, cheese, and crumbled bacon.
Best Ever Chicken Fajita ChowderWarm up weeknights with bowls of this thick, cheesy soup that nicely captures the zippy flavors of the Southwest. —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
