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.
Creamy Vegetable Chowder
This 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, ColoradoMushroom Corn Chowder
Chock-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, NevadaSimple Shrimp Chowder
Shrimp 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, WisconsinRamen Corn Chowder
This 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, OregonCheddar Seafood Chowder
Shrimp 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 KitchenSalmon Zucchini Chowder
This rich and hearty light chowder from Vicki Thompson of Bristol, New Brunswick delivers many levels of flavor and is sure to warm those cold winter nights.Creamy Asparagus Chowder
Although 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, MichiganPumpkin Clam Chowder
When 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 IslandHalibut & Potato Chowder
Several 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, MinnesotaMexican Street Corn Chowder
Corn 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 HomeBest Seafood Chowder
My husband is an avid fisherman. When a family get-together was planned and we had to bring something, we created this recipe using fish from our freezer. The chowder got rave reviews from the relatives! —Heather Saunders, Belchertown, MassachusettsCarrot Chowder
My 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, AlabamaCoconut Shrimp Chowder
After 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, GeorgiaSeafood Chowder with Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Chock-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, FloridaCheesy Chicken Chowder
I like to serve this hearty chowder with garlic bread and a salad. It's a wonderful dish to prepare when company drops in. The rich, mild flavor and tender chicken and vegetables appeal even to children and picky eaters. —Hazel Fritchie, Palestine, IllinoisRustic Fish Chowder
President 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 Chowder
For 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, FloridaCreamy Chicken Corn Chowder
My 10-year-old son and I devised the recipe for this rich and comforting soup. Now it's a family favorite. —Terrie Sowders, Carthage, IndianaInstant Pot Clam Chowder
Clam chowder is especially tasty when it's served with a sprinkle of fresh thyme, bacon crumbles and crispy oyster crackers on top. If you like your chowder on the thick side, add another tablespoon of flour after it is done in the pressure cooker. —Taste of Home Test KitchenBean Counter Chowder
This 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, WisconsinChorizo Sausage Corn Chowder
The spiciness of the sausage in this chowder is a wonderful counterpart to the corn's sweetness. Let this soup warm you up. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode IslandTraditional New England Clam Chowder
I 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, OntarioPriscilla's Vegetable Chowder
This 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, UtahCountry Fish Chowder
You'll think you're on Cape Cod when you taste this thick, wholesome chowder made from a recipe I've treasured for many years. It's one of my husband's favorites. He likes it more and more because over the years I've "customized" the basic recipe by including ingredients he enjoys. —Linda Lazaroff, Hebron, ConnecticutBroccoli Chowder
Sue 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 Chowder
I 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, MichiganRich Seafood Chowder
This 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, PennsylvaniaMexican Chicken Corn Chowder
I like to make this smooth, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy flavor is full of southwestern flair. My family enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, TexasHam Cheddar Chowder
Living in Wisconsin, I like to make dishes featuring cheese, and this chowder is one of my favorites. It makes a great meal served with salad greens and rye rolls. —Ruth Protz, Oshkosh, WisconsinCrab Corn Chowder
No time to make a homemade soup? Think again! You'll be ladling out steamy bowls of satisfying chowder in no time. Canned corn and crab blend beautifully in this creamy, colorful soup. —Sarah McClanahan, Raleigh, North CarolinaVeggie Salmon Chowder
This salmon chowder recipe came about as a way to use up odds and ends in my fridge. I thought other readers might enjoy a soup that began as an experiment but became a mainstay for me. —Liv Vors, Peterborough, OntarioChicken Chili Chowder
One 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, NEHearty Quinoa & Corn Chowder
My 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, KentuckyVeggie Chowder
Packed 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, MaineCheddar Potato Chowder
I 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, SaskatchewanCorn Chowder with Potatoes
I developed this soup out of two others to create my own low-calorie recipe. It turned out so well that I entered it in my county fair and won a blue ribbon. —Alyce Wyman, Pembina, North DakotaBeefy Bacon Chowder
Rave reviews are sure to follow when this creamy chowder appears on the table. Bacon makes it rich and hearty. It's a favorite with my whole family. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado.Cheeseburger Broccoli Chowder
I 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, ManitobaChicken Fajita Chowder
This south-of-the-border chowder is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and it's a winner at family dinners and potlucks alike. We like ours topped with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and chili cheese corn chips. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, NevadaPotato Soup
I 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, OklahomaHearty Manhattan Clam Chowder
This veggie-packed clam chowder is savory and satisfying. Butter up some crusty bread and you have yourself a complete meal. —Carol Bullick, Royersford, PennsylvaniaHam & Cheese Chowder
Chowder makes chilly days instantly cozier. This easy one, with cheddar, potatoes and smoky ham, warms you up from head to toe. —Mandy Beerman, Houstonia, MOPotato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, IndianaCheesy Ham Chowder
My five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, NebraskaZippy Chicken and Corn Chowder
Gently 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, VirginiaCheesy Ham & Corn Chowder
When the day calls for a warm bowl of chunky soup, we make a big pot of the goods—potatoes, corn, ham and cheese. —Andrea Laidlaw, Shady Side, MarylandPotato Clam Chowder
I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, MarylandCurried Chicken Corn Chowder
This 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, ColoradoSmoky Cheddar, Ham and Corn Chowder
When I'm making a pot of Smoky Cheddar Corn Chowder, no one misses dinner. Smoked cheese the flavor to another level. —Danielle Crawford, Pelzer, SCSouthwest Chicken Barley Chowder
Mashed 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, IndianaBacon-Potato Corn Chowder
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, MinnesotaFresh Corn & Potato Chowder
This corn chowder recipe 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, MissouriChicken, Asparagus & Corn Chowder
Chicken 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, CaliforniaPotato Bacon Chowder
This chowder is like a bacon-topped baked potato in a bowl. On cold winter days, my family is thrilled to see this meal on the table.—Jacque Manning, Burbank, South DakotaShrimp Chowder
I simmer my rich and creamy shrimp soup in the slow cooker. Because the chowder is ready in less than four hours, it can be prepared in the afternoon and served to dinner guests that night. —Will Zunio, Gretna, LouisianaGrandma's Seafood Chowder
My grandmother makes this every year for Christmas morning—the only time we ever had it. Why wait, when you can enjoy this satisfying chowder anytime? It's also delicious topped with biscuits! —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New YorkHam & Potato-Rutabaga Chowder
The 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 CarolinaBacon-Cheeseburger Chowder
The 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, TexasCheddar, Corn & Potato Chowder
Curry gives this just the right amount of zip without being overpowering. I especially like all the veggies in the recipe. My kids always loved it, even when they were young, and I always had to make a double or triple batch to make sure we had enough leftovers.—Becky Ruff, McGregor, IowaInstant Pot Corn Chowder
Enjoy this chowder’s rich, slow-simmered flavor in record time by using an Instant Pot. Corn chowder is a classic staple, with its hearty flavors of creamy sweet corn, bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinBest Ever Chicken Fajita Chowder
Warm up weeknights with bowls of this thick, cheesy soup that captures the zippy flavors of the Southwest. —Beverly Matthews, Pasco, WashingtonThe post Here’s the REAL Difference Between Chowder and Soup appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lindsay D. Mattison