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Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder 🍤

Published: · Updated: by · 25 Comments

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This flavorful Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder is creamy, comforting, and filling all while being low-carb! The recipe features tender shrimp, bacon, heavy cream, and flavorful seasoning. It's a true comfort food keeping your keto diet in check. So, let's jump right in and prepare a shrimp chowder!

Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder in bowl

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Preparation and cooking overview

Preparing this Shrimp and Bacon Chowder takes only 30 minutes. Cook bacon until crispy and set it aside. Cook the shrimp and set it aside as well. Sauté onions, garlic, and spices. Add turnips and broth, then simmer until tender. Blend the soup, add cream, and serve topped with bacon, shrimp, and chives.

Chef's note

Get creative and make this recipe your own! Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of richness. You can also experiment with garnishing the chowder with a drizzle of chili oil or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a touch of smoky heat.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

🍤 Ingredients for this keto bacon and shrimp chowder recipe

Let's make some keto seafood chowder with the following ingredient list!

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ½ cups diced, turnips
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 5 cups chicken bone broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup minced chives, for topping

Ingredient substitutions

Don't fret if you're missing an ingredient! We've got you covered with some fantastic ingredient substitutions:

  • Onion: Replace diced onion with diced shallots or leeks for a milder flavor.
  • Garlic: You can use garlic powder as a substitute for minced garlic.
  • Turnip: If you don't have turnips, replace them with cauliflower florets.
  • Paprika: Use chili powder instead of paprika to make this dish spicy.
  • Heavy cream: You can use unsweetened coconut cream or almond milk as a dairy-free alternative.
  • Chives: Substitute minced chives with finely chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh garnish.

Additional ingredients

Elevate the flavors of this low-carb soup by adding some optional keto-friendly ingredients:

  • Creamy avocado: Slice up an avocado and add it as a garnish for a silky, buttery texture to each spoonful.
  • Smoked sausage: Slice some smoked sausage, such as andouille or chorizo, and sauté it with the onions and garlic for an extra layer of savory, smoky goodness.
  • Jalapeños: For a touch of heat, finely chop some fresh jalapeños and sprinkle them on top before serving.
  • Black pepper: Add black pepper and enjoy the subtle warmth that complements the keto soup perfectly.

Cooking tools required

To make this Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder Recipe, you will need the following tools:

Tool substitutes list

  • Dutch oven: Use a large soup pot or a deep skillet with a lid as an alternative to a Dutch oven. Make sure it has enough capacity to hold all the ingredients.

How to make Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Frying
  • Simmering

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients required for this recipe.
  2. Thinly slice onion, mince garlic, dice turnips, and chop chives.

Cooking instructions

  1. Over medium heat, cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until cooked; remove and set aside.
  3. Add the butter to the pot. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until softened but not browned.
  4. Add in the turnips and spices and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the bone broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the turnip is tender.
  6. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot.
  7. Pour in the heavy cream. Divide between bowls and top with bacon, shrimp, and chives. Serve immediately.
Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder in bowl

Chef's pro tip

One thing to avoid when cooking this keto shrimp chowder is adding heavy cream too early. It's best to add it towards the end, just before serving; this ensures a velvety, luscious texture that elevates your chowder.

What to serve with keto bacon and shrimp chowder?

  • Low-carb bread: Serve the chowder with Keto Rolls to savor the creamy soup.
  • Fresh side salad: Prepare a fresh salad like Kale Salad or Greek Salad for a refreshing side.
  • Grilled vegetables: Pair the chowder with Grilled Vegetables to add fiber and nutrients to your meal.
  • Keto-friendly crackers: Enjoy the chowder with crunchy keto crackers or cheese crisps for a delightful textural contrast. You can try our Pita Chips and Parmesan Crisps with this hearty soup.

How to make it healthier?

  • Choose organic ingredients.
  • Go for low-sodium or homemade chicken bone broth to reduce the sodium content in the chowder. You can also make your broth using organic chicken bones for a healthier, additive-free option.

Time-saving tips

  • Cook in larger batches: Make a bigger batch of this keto-friendly soup and store leftovers in individual containers. This way, you'll have ready-to-eat meals for busy days.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon ahead of time until crispy, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When making the chowder, you can crumble the pre-cooked bacon into the dish, saving you time and effort.
  • Make chicken broth: Prepare a batch of homemade chicken bone broth in advance, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

Allow the chowder to cool to room temperature before storing, then transfer it to an airtight glass container or individual portion-sized containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Note: Don't freeze the shrimp chowder, as freezing changes the texture and flavor of the soup.

Reheating best practices

  • Stove: Place the chowder in a saucepan or pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally and heat until thoroughly warmed. If the sauce has thickened in the fridge, add a splash of chicken broth to bring it to the desired thickness.
  • Microwave: Place the leftover chowder in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat the soup in short intervals, stirring in between for even heating. Avoid overheating to prevent the cream from curdling.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

This Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder is perfect for various occasions, from cozy nights to gatherings with loved ones. Indulge in each spoonful and enjoy the satisfaction of a healthy lifestyle.

Looking for more mouthwatering keto soup recipes? Check out these recipes:

Frequently asked questions

To thicken a chowder, simmer it uncovered to reduce the liquid. Add 2-4 tablespoons of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk per cup of chowder liquid to help thicken it up nicely.

Chowder is thicker and creamier than soup, often featuring chunky ingredients like seafood or potatoes, while soups have various textures and flavors.

You can make it dairy-free by using substitutes like coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream.

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with scallops, crab meat, or a combination of different seafood for a personalized touch.

Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning or paprika to your preferred spice level, starting with less and adding more as desired.

📖 Recipe

Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder

This flavorful Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder is creamy, comforting, and filling all while being low-carb!
4.52 from 25 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30-minute, bacon chowder, keto seafood chowder, keto soup, low carb, seafood, shrimp chowder
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 509kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 ½ cups diced turnips
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 5 cups chicken bone broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup minced chives for topping
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Over medium heat, cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until cooked; remove and set aside.
  • Add the butter to the pot. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until softened but not browned.
  • Add in the turnips and spices and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the bone broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the turnip is tender.
  • Use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot.
  • Pour in the heavy cream. Divide between bowls and top with bacon, shrimp, and chives. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Bacon and Shrimp Chowder
Amount Per Serving
Calories 509 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 371mg124%
Sodium 2656mg115%
Potassium 685mg20%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 1846IU37%
Vitamin C 46mg56%
Calcium 239mg24%
Iron 4mg22%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sarah says

    This is a quintessential chowder. However, is there a suggestion for a good dairy replacement. My daughter has a medical condition that eliminates dairy and gluten from her diet. She is doing very well on the Keto/ lowcarb diet but need to be dairy free.
    Thank you for any ideas.

    Reply

    • Patricia Prudhomme says

      I use canned coconut milk for most of my replacements for heavy cream and it works well. And I don't taste the coconut. Hope this helps. I think I will make some this weekend!

      Reply

  2. Christine Goodridge says

    Hello! This recipe sounds amazing! Any way to reduce the carb count by substituting radishes for turnips? Thank you for all that you do!

    Reply

  3. Lisa says

    Is there anything you can recommend as a substitute for turnips? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Alex Lester says

      You could try cauliflower or radish!

      Reply

      • Debra Lynch says

        5 stars
        It was awesome! Making it again today!

        Reply

    • Patricia Prudhomme says

      I have used rutabaga to sub for turnips. They don't have as strong of a flavor as turnips. I have also used chayote squash.
      Hope this helps.

      Reply

  4. Pam Pavlick says

    I'm not familiar with chicken bone broth. Can you purchase this or does it have to be home made.

    Reply

    • castironketoadmin says

      You can purchase bone broth at most grocers. Pacific Foods is our go-to.

      Reply

  5. Amy says

    How many quarts constitutes a “large” Dutch oven? Thanks!

    Reply

    • castironketoadmin says

      5-quart

      Reply

  6. Paul says

    4 stars
    Made it tonight. Not sure if it's my brand of cajun seasoning, but I think next time I'm skipping the salt. Also, do you have any tips for thickening it? Mine turned out a little runny.

    Reply

    • Brandie says

      maybe a little xanthum gum?

      Reply

  7. Stacy says

    What size shrimp did you use for this? I just learned that shrimp come in different sizes. I am not accustomed to working with shrimp. It is new to me. Just bought one that looked good from the fish counter but now I’m worried that they will be too big for a chowder 😟

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Hi Stacy! We used large shrimp in this recipe but really, any size shrimp will work. If you fear that yours are too big you can simply give them a rough chop before cooking. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  8. Brandie says

    What type of shrimp are you using?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      We like wild-caught pink shrimp but any type you like best will work!

      Reply

  9. Lo says

    What do we do with oil the bacon releases before we add the shrimp to pot?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Leave it in the pot as that's what you'll sear the shrimp with.

      Reply

  10. Dozer says

    4 stars
    Sadly, this was not a hit with our family. Found it to be thin and needing some flavor enhancement that despite our conversation, we couldn’t identify. While cooking, had already added extra garlic and then salt but it just didn’t help. Not for us....

    Reply

  11. Shannen Rush says

    Can you use Broccoli for the turnips instead?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      No, they are not similar at all. Broccoli also wouldn't jive with the flavors in this soup.

      Reply

  12. Kate says

    I made this for dinner tonight and the soup is amazing!!! I used a peppered bacon so that kicked up the spiciness a bit however I reduced the Cajun seasoning to 1/2 tablespoon. I planned ahead for the carb count so very satisfied with my food intake today.

    Reply

  13. Wendy says

    Would this be good for meal prep and reheated?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Hi Wendy, personally, I don't find leftover shrimp to be the greatest and the bacon gets a bit soggy.

      Reply

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