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Keto Clam Chowder Recipe

Dom Lorenzo
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Craving a creamy, comforting bowl of clam chowder while staying low-carb? This Keto Clam Chowder Recipe gives you all the delicious flavors of traditional clam chowder, without the carbs. Made with tender clams, bacon, and a rich, creamy base, this soup is perfect for a cozy dinner or an appetizer that fits into your keto lifestyle.

Keto clam chowder served in a white bowl.
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Preparation and Cooking Overview

It is a breeze to make this and takes 30 minutes. Cook crispy bacon and set it aside, reserving the grease. Sauté onion, celery, and garlic in butter and bacon grease, then simmer cauliflower with clam juice, broth, and thyme until tender. Finish with cream, clams, and bacon, then serve warm with fresh herbs.

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

For a heartier texture, swap cauliflower with daikon radish to mimic traditional potatoes. If you prefer a thicker chowder, blend a portion of the cooked vegetables before adding the dairy. For a dairy-free version, replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a rich and creamy alternative.

Ingredients for this Keto Clam Chowder Recipe

  • 4 slices bacon, diced (reserve bacon grease)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 (6.5 oz) cans clams (with juice)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or dill for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Cauliflower: If you want a peppery bite, use daikon radish. You can also experiment with chopped radishes for an additional twist.
  • Heavy cream: Coconut cream can be used for a dairy-free version.
  • Unsweetened almond milk: Swap for more heavy cream if you prefer a richer consistency.
  • Bacon: Turkey bacon or pancetta are good alternatives for different flavors.

Additional Ingredients

  • Shrimp: To turn this into a full-blown seafood chowder, add peeled and deveined shrimp for extra protein.
  • Bay leaf: Enhances the aromatic profile if you prefer a more herbaceous broth.
  • Extra veggies: Zucchini or spinach can boost nutrition and fiber content without spiking carbohydrates.

Cooking Tools Required

  • Dutch oven
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Ladle

Instant Pot (Optional): You can cook this chowder at high pressure if you prefer a faster method. Sauté in the pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes; quick-release and finish with dairy.

Tool Substitute Options

  • Dutch oven: A large stockpot or heavy-bottomed saucepan works just as well.

How to Make Keto Clam Chowder: Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking methods

  • Sautéing
  • Simmering

Preparation Steps

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice bacon, onion, and celery. Mince garlic. Chop cauliflower (or daikon radish).
  2. Open cans: Drain the clam juice into a bowl, but keep the clams aside to add later.

Cooking Instructions

  1. Sauté the bacon: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crispy (about 5–6 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon grease.
  2. Add aromatics: Melt butter in the reserved bacon grease, then sauté onion, celery, and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3. Add veggies and broth: Stir in cauliflower, clam juice, chicken broth, and dried thyme. If you’re using a bay leaf, drop it in now. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10–15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  4. Incorporate dairy: Pour in heavy cream and unsweetened almond milk. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Add clams and bacon: Stir in the canned clams and cooked bacon. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Avoid overcooking the clams; they can turn rubbery.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaf if used. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or dill, and finish with a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Chef's pro tip

Overcooking the clams can make them rubbery, so add them at the very end and let them heat through gently. Blend a portion of the cauliflower or reduce the broth slightly, for a thicker consistency. Keeping the bacon grease in the pot enhances flavor, so don’t drain it away. Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end, as the clam juice and bacon can add natural saltiness.

What to Serve with Keto Clam Chowder Recipe

  • Keto Garlic Butter Biscuits – These buttery, cheesy biscuits are the ultimate dunking companion. Their soft, flaky texture complements the chowder’s creamy base, soaking up all that delicious flavor while adding a hint of garlic goodness.
  • Simple Side Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette – The fresh, crisp greens and zesty lemon dressing help cut through the richness of the chowder, keeping your meal balanced and refreshing.
  • Roasted Asparagus or Brussels Sprouts – The slight char and natural sweetness of roasted veggies add depth to the meal while providing a lighter, nutrient-packed contrast to the hearty chowder.
  • Parmesan Crisps – These crunchy, salty crisps add an extra layer of texture and a boost of umami that enhances the chowder’s depth of flavor.

How to Make It Healthier

  • Use more unsweetened almond milk and less heavy cream to reduce total calories from dairy.
  • Add extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or radishes for more fiber.
  • Choose low-sodium chicken broth to control sodium levels.

Time-Saving Tips

  • Pre-chopped veggies: Buy pre-chopped vegetables or use frozen cauliflower florets.
  • Instant Pot shortcut: After sautéing the bacon and aromatics, add all ingredients (except clams and dairy), cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, quick-release, then stir in the clams and cream.

What Can I Prepare Ahead of Time

  • Bacon: Cook and store crispy bacon pieces in an airtight container.
  • Veggies: Chop onions, celery, cauliflower, or radishes in advance.
  • Broth mixture: Combine chicken broth and clam juice in a jar and refrigerate until needed.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Cool the chowder completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating Best Practices

  • Stovetop: Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. If it’s too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water.
  • Microwave: Heat individual servings in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time.

Recipe Wrap-Up and Conclusion

This rich, creamy Keto Clam Chowder is the perfect comfort food for anyone following a low-carb diet. With tender clams, crispy bacon, and cauliflower replacing potatoes, it’s both hearty and keto-friendly. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this chowder is sure to hit the spot. Try it today and enjoy a delicious, guilt-free bowl of chowder.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can eat clam chowder on a keto diet if it’s made with low-carb ingredients. Traditional clam chowder contains potatoes and flour, which are high in carbs. However, this Keto Clam Chowder Recipe replaces potatoes with cauliflower and uses heavy cream instead of flour-based thickeners, making it keto-friendly.

Instead of potatoes, you can use cauliflower florets, daikon radish, or chopped turnips to maintain the texture of traditional chowder while keeping the carb count low. Cauliflower is the most common keto-friendly replacement because it absorbs flavors well and has a mild taste.

For a keto-friendly thickener, you can use:

  • Mashed cauliflower or daikon radish – naturally thickens the broth.
  • Xanthan gum – a small amount (¼ teaspoon) can provide a creamy consistency.
  • Cream cheese – adds thickness while enhancing the rich texture.
  • Egg yolks – whisked into the hot broth can create a velvety consistency.
  • Cauliflower florets – mild taste, similar texture.
  • Daikon radish – slightly peppery and firm.
  • Turnips – slightly sweet and starchy but still lower in carbs.
  • Chopped zucchini – softer texture, great for adding fiber.

No, chowder does not have to contain potatoes. Traditional New England clam chowder includes potatoes, but keto and low-carb versions use cauliflower or radish as substitutes. The key to chowder is a creamy, hearty texture, which can be achieved without potatoes.

To thicken clam chowder without flour:

  • Mash some of the cauliflower or radish in the pot using a potato masher.
  • Simmer longer to reduce liquid and naturally concentrate the flavors.
  • Add heavy cream or cream cheese for a richer, thicker consistency.
  • Use a small amount of xanthan gum (¼ teaspoon) for extra thickness.

📖 Recipe

Keto clam chowder served in a white bowl.

Keto Clam Chowder Recipe

This is a creamy, low-carb twist on the classic dish, featuring tender clams, crispy bacon, and a rich, velvety broth thickened with cauliflower instead of potatoes.
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30-minute
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 268kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon diced (reserve bacon grease)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 6.5 oz cans clams (with juice)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or more heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or dill for garnish optional

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Dice bacon, onion, and celery. Mince garlic. Chop cauliflower (or daikon radish).
  • Drain the clam juice into a bowl, but keep the clams aside to add later.

Cooking Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crispy (about 5–6 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon grease.
  • Melt butter in the reserved bacon grease, then sauté onion, celery, and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in cauliflower, clam juice, chicken broth, and dried thyme. If you’re using a bay leaf, drop it in now. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10–15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Pour in heavy cream and unsweetened almond milk. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the canned clams and cooked bacon. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Avoid overcooking the clams; they can turn rubbery.
  • Remove the bay leaf if used. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or dill, and finish with a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Clam Chowder Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 268 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 270mg12%
Potassium 374mg11%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 546IU11%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 87mg9%
Iron 1mg6%
*

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

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