THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

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This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe is full of flavor that your whole family will love. Make sure you serve some crusty bread with this delicious chowder so that you can soak up every bite!

If you’re looking for more soup and chowder recipes, Authentic New England Clam Chowder and Hungarian Mushroom Soup will help you find tasty recipes that everyone will love!

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (1)

How to make Smoked Salmon Chowder from scratch is going to be one of your go-to recipes. Company coming? This is the perfect recipe.

The chowder sounds all fancy-schmancy, but it’s so easy to make. The layers of flavors will leave your taste buds happy. The smoky flavor of salmon brings this recipe to another level.

This is seriously one of the best soup recipes to try. I know a thing or two about soups, being a big-time soup lover and all.

Soup has got to be one of the most heart-warming meals you can make for your family. I’ve never understood the appeal of cooking canned soup, when making homemade soup is so easy.

You just have to find the best recipes. Well, congratulations! You did. This Smoked Salmon Corn Chowder Recipe will become one of your signature recipes.

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (2)

Tips for Smoking Salmon at Home

The best salmon to smoke is King Salmon. The reason Alaskan Smoked Salmon is the best is because it’s the fattiest salmon. It’s harder to dry out and has the most flavor. King Salmon is also probably going to be the most expensive one to purchase.

This is the home smoker that Amazon featured as their pick.I think it would make a fun present for your significant other. Making gourmet food at home is an art we decide to bring into our lives.

Fun Facts About Salmon

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (3)

There are six different types of salmon in North America:

Atlantic Salmon is sadly on the Endangered Species List.

Chinook Salmon is the largest of the salmon species. It is also known as King Salmon. It can weigh up to 125 pounds. (That’s a big fish!) Most of them weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. Chinook Salmon can live up to seven years. This wild salmon is found in Alaska (the state fish) and the West Coast.

Chum Salmon (also known as Dog Salmon), average weight is between 10 and 20 pounds. These fresh salmon are also found in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and live for 3-5 years.

Pink Salmon is the smallest in size of the types of salmon. They average between 3 and 5 pounds.

CoHo Salmon are known as “Silvers” and weigh between 10 and 12 pounds. This fish is also found in Alaska and the West Coast.

Sockeye Salmon is also known as “reds.” Their average weight is between 5 and 8 pounds.

Pink salmon and Chum Salmon are the species most used for smoked salmon. They are easier on your wallet. The next time you buy smoky salmon, be sure to find out what type of salmon they are.

There’s a fun annual Salmon Festival located in Issaquah, WA. This event attracts more than 150,000 visitors in two days. You can find out more information about this festival here.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this smoked salmon chowder recipe, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook groupcalledCreating a Cozy Lifewith over 182,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (4)

Here’s How to Make Smoked Salmon Chowder

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup red pepper, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons butter

1 can chicken broth (14 1/2 ounces)

1 cup Yukon Gold diced potatoes, uncooked

1 cup shredded carrots

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1 can cream-style corn

2 cups half-and-half cream

8 ounces flaked smoked salmon (bones and skin removed) into bite-size pieces

How to Make Smoked Salmon Chowder

1) In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, sauté onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic in butter over medium heat until vegetables are tender.

2) Add broth, carrots, Yukon golds, salt, pepper, thyme, and dill to the large soup pot and bring to a boil.

3) Reduce to low heat. Cover and simmer for 40 more minutes or until you can easily pierce the potatoes.

4) Stir in the corn, cream, and smoked salmon.

5) Simmer for 15 more minutes.

6) Serve this great recipe hot with crusty bread or oyster crackers. Top the tasty chowder with fresh dill or chives.

Tips for making Smoke Salmon Chowder

  • For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
  • You can use matchstick carrots if you’re short on time.
  • My neighbor barbecues salmon on the grill, and saves the broken pieces for chowder.
  • I use Yukon Gold potatoes for the recipe, but you can substitute red potatoes or russet potatoes.
  • You can substitute heavy cream for half and half in this smoke salmon chowder.
  • Olive oil can be used in place of butter when sautéing the onions, garlic, and celery.
  • You can substitute a yellow or orange bell pepper for the red pepper.
  • To make the chowder thinner, add a little chicken stock to the soup.
  • You can add a little cream cheese for a thicker smoked salmon chowder.

Can you freeze Smoked Salmon Chowder with Corn?

I wouldn’t advise freezing any soups with cream or dairy. The dairy takes on a more grainy taste and texture when reheated.

Besides, I’m guessing you won’t have ANY leftovers – so it shouldn’t be a problem.

How long does Smoked Salmon Soup Recipe last in the fridge?

You’ll want to refrigerate your Smoked Salmon Chowder within two hours of cooking after it cools down.

For best results, make sure you store your soup in a covered airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Your soup will last 3 to 4 days, when properly stored.

Vessels for Serving Creamy Salmon Soup:

Sourdough Bread Bowls is one of my favorite ways to serve soup. Simply cut off the top of your round rustic bread and hollow them out.

For a casual get-together, serve your soup in cozy mugs.

What goes best with Smoke Salmon Corn Chowder?

A loaf of crusty bread

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (5)

You’ll want to soak up every last drop of this fantastic seafood chowder, so a rustic loaf of bread is the perfect way to serve this dish.

A side salad

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (6)

Soup and salad are the perfect combination on a cozy evening at home. A winter salad with pomegranates, beets, and spinach will pair well with this easy salmon bisque.

Can I use fresh salmon instead of the smoked salmon in the chowder?

While the smoky flavor is a defining characteristic of a smoked salmon chowder, you can use fresh salmon if you prefer. Simply cook the fresh salmon separately, flake it into the chowder, and adjust the seasonings to compensate for the lack of smokiness.

How do I prevent the cream in the chowder from curdling?

To prevent the cream from curdling in your smoked salmon chowder, avoid boiling the soup once the cream is added. Instead, simmer the chowder gently over low to medium heat and stir frequently. Additionally, you can add the cream near the end of the cooking process to minimize the risk of curdling.

We’ve reached the end of Smoked Salmon Chowder. I hope you enjoyed it. Each spoonful of this hot smoked salmon chowder will have you thinking you’re in Pike Place Market in Seattle, where the best chowder is made.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked the Smoked Salmon and Corn Chowder.

Be sure you to join our Creating a Cozy Life group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

Below I made a pin to add this great chowder recipe to Pinterest so you can refer back to it.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you make this recipe for smoked salmon chowder and take a photo, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (7)

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Salmon Recipes

  • Side Dishes for Salmon
  • Dill Sauce for Salmon

Printable Recipe Card for Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe with Nutritional Information

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (8)

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe is full of flavor that your entire family will love. Make sure you serve some crusty bread along side it, so you can soak up every bite!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 can chicken broth (14 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 cup diced potatoes, uncooked
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1 can cream-style corn
  • 2 cups half-and-half cream
  • 8 ounces smoked salmon, flaked (bones and skin removed)

Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan sauté onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic in butter until vegetables are tender.
    2. Add broth, carrots, potatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, and dill and bring to a boil.
    3. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 more minutes or until you can easily pierce the potatoes.
    4. Stir in the corn, cream, and smoked salmon.
    5. Simmer for 15 more minutes
    6. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

You can use matchstick carrots if you're short on time.

My neighbor barbecues salmon on her grill and saves the broken pieces for chowder.

You can substitute red potatoes or russet potatoes for the Yukon Gold potatoes.

You can substitute heavy cream for half and half.

Olive oil can be used in place of butter when sauteing the onions, garlic, and celery.

You can substitute a yellow or orange bell pepper for the red peopper.

To make the chowder thinner, add a little chicken broth to the stock.

You can add a little cream cheese to the chowder to make it thicker.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 207Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 40mgSodium 1254mgCarbohydrates 17gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 9g

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe | Montana Happy (2024)

FAQs

What's the best thing to eat on smoked salmon? ›

Easy Pairings for Smoked Salmon

A few suggestions: With crackers, softened cream cheese and capers. Tossed into a green salad with a lemony dressing.

How do you thicken seafood chowder? ›

How do you thicken seafood chowder? If you want a thicker base than whipping cream alone offers, add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour or cornstarch when you add the seafood to the pot.

What are the essential ingredients of a chowder What are two different kinds of chowders? ›

Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

How do you serve chowder? ›

Spoon the chowder into the hollowed-out bread rolls or serve in bowls with sourdough on the side. Garnish the chowder with chopped parsley or chives.

Is eating a lot of smoked salmon good for you? ›

It's packed with high quality protein, essential omega-3 fats, and several vitamins and minerals. However, it contains a significant amount of sodium, and cold-smoked varieties may increase your risk of listeriosis. Still, this smoky delicacy can be a healthy addition to your diet when eaten in moderation.

Should you eat the skin on smoked salmon? ›

Salmon skin is usually considered safe to eat. The skin contains more of the same minerals and nutrients contained in salmon.

What is the best thickener for chowder? ›

Soup Thickening Method: Cornstarch Slurry

About this method: One of the most common ways to thicken sauces and soups is with a starch-based slurry, and cornstarch is a popular choice. Cornstarch is flavorless, easy to mix up, and versatile, which makes it a go-to pantry ingredient.

Will heavy cream thicken chowder? ›

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

Is it better to thicken chowder with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

What is the most famous chowder? ›

New England clam chowder is perhaps the most popular and well-known iteration of the dish. It's a classic combination of clams, onions, corn, celery, bacon or salt pork, and potatoes.

What are the best potatoes for chowder? ›

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines. New England Clam Chowder is sometimes made with milk, whereas Manhattan Clam Chowder doesn't have any milk or cream but has a tomato base instead.

What pairs well with chowder? ›

You can go for oyster crackers, warm sourdough bread, salad, french fries… the list goes on. This tasty soup is packed with clam lumps and tender potatoes. It is not only filling and indulgent – but quite easy to make.

Does chowder have to have cream? ›

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…

Can you use milk instead of cream in chowder? ›

You really only have three choices when it comes to dairy for your chowder. You can use whole milk (hom*o milk), you can use heavy cream, or you can use a combination of the two. Any milk with a fat content lower than 3.25% is likely to split when heat, salt, acid, or even the seafood is added.

What to use smoked salmon in? ›

So many amazing ways to enjoy smoked salmon, for breakfast, lunch and tea!
  1. 1Smoked salmon bagel pizza. ...
  2. 2Hot smoked salmon pasta. ...
  3. 3Potato, corn and salmon chowder. ...
  4. 4Smoked salmon, avocado and herb tarts. ...
  5. 5Smoked salmon French toast. ...
  6. 6Smoked salmon and fennel salad with onion and chive cheese balls.

What pairs best with salmon? ›

20 Best Side Dishes for Salmon
  • 01 of 21. Simple Broccolini. ...
  • 02 of 21. Roasted Parmesan Rosemary Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 21. Buttery Garlic Green Beans. ...
  • 04 of 21. Kale, Quinoa, and Avocado Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette. ...
  • 05 of 21. Easy Bok Choy. ...
  • 06 of 21. Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 07 of 21. Lime Cilantro Rice. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Apr 29, 2021

What flavors are good for smoking salmon? ›

One popular wood chip option is alder, known for its mild flavor profile that complements the delicate flavor of salmon. For those looking for a stronger smoky taste, hickory wood chips are a great choice. Mesquite wood chips are also popular, adding a sweet and nutty flavor to the salmon.

How to safely eat smoked salmon? ›

Fully cooked and ready-to-eat, hot-smoked salmon is a fine choice for almost anyone. However, general guidelines recommend pregnant women cook hot-smoked salmon to 165° F before consuming. Cold-smoked salmon, which is not fully cooked, carries the potential for foodborne illness, specifically from listeriosis.

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