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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

The Best Canned Clam Chowder (did your favorite make the cut?)

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Clam Chowder Soup in a Bowl

What is Clam Chowder?

The main ingredients in clam chowder are clams and broth. Other ingredients you will commonly find in canned clam chowder are diced onions, potatoes, and celery.

If you are eating clam chowder from a can, you can garnish it with parsley or carrot strips. My favorite is Chincoteague Clam Chowder because it doesn’t because it doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or preservatives. Check it out at Amazon.

Canned clam chowder has become one of the easiest dishes to eat. You just need to open the can and pour the contents into a pot to heat it. Pour it into a bowl and enjoy.

Are all brands of canned clam chowder the best though? No, not all taste great, which is why I have reviewed some of the best ones that I have come across.

I have created my list based on several factors such as ratings and customer reviews. Have a look at the yummiest canned clam chowder you can buy for yourself.

Tony’s Clam Chowder

If you want to taste a three-time winning clam chowder recipe, Tony’s Clam Chowder is what you are looking for then. The company’s canned clam chowder has earned the title of World Champions three times at the Great Chowder cook-off that takes place every year in Newport, Rhode Island.

Unlike other clam chowders where there are a few clams here and there, this one is packed with them. It’s thick, creamy, and a rich sauce with tender clams and a hint of spice will make your taste buds wild for sure. This New England style clam chowder is a recipe of Chef Eric who came up with it, so he could add it to his menu.

Tony’s Clam Chowder, 3X World Champion, 15oz ounce (Pack of 6)

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It did not take long for word to spread that there was a new champion recipe in town. Now, their canned clam chowder is readily available everywhere. The company also states that they serve the exact quantity of clam chowder as restaurants serve.

San Francisco Boudin Clam Chowder Soup

You do not have to live in San Francisco to try Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Restaurant, located at Fisherman’s Wharf. Their soup does not contain any MSG and has reduced fat, carbohydrates, and sodium. All you need to do is to heat the soup on the stove or microwave and eat it. Each bite will have clams and potatoes in it.

San Francisco Boudin Clam Chowder Soup -3 pack

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Progresso Traditional, Manhattan Clam Chowder

The gluten-free canned clam chowder contains clams, carrots, celery, and potatoes. The company does not use any artificial flavors and colors derived from artificial sources to prepare it but only used the freshest ingredients available.

Progresso Traditional, New England Clam Chowder Soup, Gluten Free, 12 Cans, 18.5 oz

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The company’s clam supplier called Sea Watch ensures no waste is created by returning all the empty clam shells to the Chesapeake Bay after they harvest the clams. This practice of throwing the clam shells back into the sea promotes the growth of the clam population by providing them with homes to live.

If you are not very hungry, you can share your soup with someone, as it offers 2 servings per can. You can heat in on the stove or microwave, heating it for 5 minutes to thoroughly warm it.

Campbell’s Homestyle Light New England Clam Chowder

A known brand with a good rating. This clam chowder soup contains premium quality clams with fresh celery and potatoes. For the calorie conscious person, their soup contains 100 calories per serving. It does not contain any preservatives.

Campbell's Homestyle New England Clam Chowder, 18.8 oz. (Pack of 12)

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There is a high risk that this clam chowder soup may make you a loyal fan after you eat it. It is also the perfect meal to heat up and eat if you are in a hurry. You can open the canned clam chowder using the pull tab, which makes it easier and safer to open the can. Just pour the clam chowder soup into the saucepan, place it on the stove on medium heat, and stir occasionally.

You can also put it in the microwave. You need to cover the soup in a medium serving bowl and microwave it on “HIGH” for 3 minutes at least. Once it is heated, do not take out the bowl immediately, but after 1 minute. Stir and eat. If you are cooking on the stove, do not add water.

Bar Harbor Manhattan Clam Chowder

Clam chowder is a comfort food best enjoyed at home. The company produces restaurant quality and Manhattan style clam chowder. They create it in small batches and only add fresh, wild-caught and sustainably harvested natural ingredients to it.

Bar Harbor Chowder, Manhattan Clam, 15 Ounce (Pack of 6)

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Their soup does not contain any MSG or artificial ingredients. For anyone who is a fan of clam chowder and would like to enjoy it at home, they should consider trying this canned clam chowder soup.

Chincoteague Seafood New England Clam Chowder

The canned clam chowder soup does not contain any artificial flavoring or preservatives. It does not contain any MSG. What it contains is a host of fresh vegetables, seasonings, onions, potatoes, and celery. The best part of eating this canned clam chowder soup is the large chunks of clams that will come with every bite.

If you like the authentic and traditional taste of clam chowder, you will like this product. Since they have condensed the clam chowder soup, you can prepare it easily at home. You only need to add milk to the soup to cook it, not water.

Chincoteague Seafood Chowder Sampler Crate, 4.5-Pound

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If you want to enhance the flavor of the soup, you can add butter and black pepper. In fact, you can add anything to the clam chowder soup. It is easy to prepare as well. Just pour the contents of the can in a saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Serve hot and enjoy.

You can try all of them to come to your own conclusion on which you personally think is the best-canned clam chowder soup.

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References & Further Reading