Salmon Chowder 🐟🥔🧄 Creamy, Hearty, and Packed With Smoky, Briny Depth and Cozy Texture

This chowder is classic cold-weather comfort — tender chunks of salmon, potatoes, sweet corn, and aromatics all simmered in a creamy broth with just enough smokiness and herbaceous lift. It’s rich, but not heavy. Rustic, but refined. Think clam chowder’s northern cousin, with more character and color.

Perfect with crusty bread, a cold beer, or just a big spoon and a bigger appetite.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the base

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp flour (for thickening)

Liquids & core flavor

• 3 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 2 medium Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned — drained)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Seafood

• ¾ to 1 lb skinless salmon fillet, cut into bite-sized cubes
• Optional: 2–3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

To finish

• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped dill, chives, or parsley
• Optional: pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for heat
• Crusty bread or oyster crackers for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter and olive oil over medium. Add onion and celery and cook 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and smoked paprika and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Build the Broth

Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to form a light roux. Gradually whisk in the broth until smooth. Add diced potatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook 10–12 minutes until potatoes are just fork-tender.

Step 3: Add Dairy and Corn

Stir in the milk, cream, and corn. Simmer gently (do not boil) for 5 minutes to warm through and meld flavors.

Step 4: Add the Salmon

Gently add the cubed salmon to the pot. Simmer for 4–6 minutes until the fish is just cooked through and flakes easily. Avoid stirring too much — you want the salmon to stay in pieces.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Stir in lemon juice and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for extra warmth, and top with crumbled bacon if using. Serve hot with bread or crackers.

Flavor Variations

• Add diced carrots, fennel, or leeks for more depth
• Use hot smoked salmon for a deeply savory twist
• Stir in chopped spinach or kale just before serving
• Swap the milk and cream for coconut milk and lime for a Pacific Northwest–meets–Thai vibe

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the salmon — add it at the end and simmer gently
• Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape and have a creamy texture
• Smoked paprika adds warmth without overpowering — don’t skip it
• Leftovers thicken in the fridge — reheat with a splash of broth or milk
• For meal prep, cook everything but the salmon, then add it fresh when reheating

Final Thoughts

Salmon Chowder is rich, briny, and built for cold nights — a creamy, satisfying bowl with sweet corn, smoky depth, and tender flakes of salmon throughout. It’s the kind of soup that feels like a full meal, but still surprises you with balance and nuance.

Sauté it. Simmer it. Spoon it up hot. 🐟🥣🔥

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.