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  • 10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed) 1
  • 10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed) 2
  • 10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed) 3
  • 10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed) 4
  • 10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed) 5

10 Best Clam Chowder Soups in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed)

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of creamy, warm clam chowder! The tender clams, savory bacon bits, and soft diced potatoes create a harmony of flavor and texture. However, not everyone has the time to make this complex dish. With a packaged soup, you can easily enjoy a bowl of steamy chowder in a matter of minutes. 


For more information on how to choose a tasty clam chowder, check out our buying guide. We've also found the 10 best products to save you some browsing time! Our favorite is Progresso's New England Clam Chowder, which is loaded with potatoes and clams for a satisfying meal. Curious about the other products on our list? Read on! 

Quick List - Top Clam Chowder Soups

1

Progresso

New England Clam Chowder
New England Clam Chowder

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With a Rich Flavor

2

Tony's Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder6 pack
Clam Chowder

Spices and Bacon for a Savory Clam Chowder

3

Campbell's

Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder
Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder

Hearty Soup Packed With 11 Grams of Protein to Fill You Up

取扱なし
4

Progresso

New England Clam Chowder4 pack
New England Clam Chowder

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With Only 210 Calories Per Can

取扱なし
5

Campbell's Chunky

Chunky New England Clam Chowder 8 pack
Chunky New England Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder in a Convenient Microwavable Bowl

Jim Quast
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How to Choose a Clam Chowder Soup - Buying Guide

Unsure of which clam chowder to choose? This buying guide contains tips and explains the criteria you should consider, including the product's main ingredients and your own dietary restrictions.

1

Decide Between Condensed and Ready-to-Serve Soup

Decide Between Condensed and Ready-to-Serve Soup

If you don't have time to cook, you might want to opt for a ready-to-serve clam chowder. This kind of soup can be cooked on a stovetop or in the microwave, and it usually doesn't require any additional ingredients. Just heat it up, and your steamy bowl of clam chowder is ready! Or, if you like, you can even enjoy it cold. 


On the other hand, condensed chowder might have to be cooked on a stovetop, and you may have to add milk or water to thin it out. Compared to ready-to-serve soup, condensed chowder can have a longer shelf life and taste more flavorful. But obviously, when it comes to convenience, ready-to-serve soup is still the champion!

2

Choose New England- or Manhattan-Style Chowder

Choose New England- or Manhattan-Style Chowder

When talking about clam chowder soups, most people immediately think of the New England style. Usually, the white broth is made with clam stock and liquid dairy (such as milk or cream). So, it's thick and creamy! New England-style clam chowder is often loaded with potatoes and veggies like celery and onion, too.


Another type of clam chowder that is equally delicious is the Manhattan style. Instead of milk or cream, the base is crafted from clam stock and tomato sauce. If you find the New England-style soup too heavy and creamy for your taste, the Manhattan-style might be a better choice! The tomato base gives it a light and refreshing flavor. 


The add-ins are similar to the New England style, as well. You'll find potatoes, clams, onions, and other types of veggies. It's totally up to you which style of clam chowder you choose, so follow your taste buds. 

3

Pick a Soup With a Balanced Amount of Clams and Potatoes

Pick a Soup With a Balanced Amount of Clams and Potatoes

Many clam chowder soups are loaded with potatoes and only have a smattering of clams. But, a great soup should contain a decent amount of clams! The clams give the chowder its unique "oceany" taste that contrasts nicely with the creamy broth and the soft chunks of potatoes. 

 
However, it's impossible to know if the product truly contains a lot of clams just from the manufacturer's claims. But, there is an easy way to know; check the reviewers' comments! Screen through the reviews to see if people were satisfied with the number of clams


You might also want to check the type of clams used in the soup. Most products use quahogs since their meat is quite sweet, and they're affordable. However, without proper tenderization, they can be quite chewy.


If you want something more exquisite, go for a product made with cherrystone clams. They're smaller than quahogs, but cherrystone clams taste sweeter and are more tender as well. 

4

Be Mindful of Any Dietary Restrictions

Be Mindful of Any Dietary Restrictions

A clam chowder might contain ingredients that can trigger food allergies or be unsuitable for your dietary preferences. So before making a selection, look through the ingredients to see if there is any ingredient that you cannot consume. 


Also, check if your soup is processed in a shared facility. For example, even if your clam chowder doesn't contain nuts as an ingredient, it might still be cross-contaminated if the manufacturing equipment has previously processed nuts. So look for the "may contain" phrase to see if the product contains any allergens. 


If you're gluten-free, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy a delicious bowl of clam chowder! Usually, this soup is thickened with wheat flour. But, many products are thickened with starch instead and are, therefore, gluten-free.

5

Pay Attention to the Packaging

Pay Attention to the Packaging

Clam chowders typically come in cans, plastic containers, and microwavable bowls. A microwavable bowl is usually for a single serving. This is the most convenient type since you just need to pop it in the microwave and wait for a few minutes. There's no complicated equipment or cooking required! 


On the other hand, cans and plastic containers might contain more than one serving and are perfect for sharing. You'll have to pour the contents out in a pot or bowl and heat it up on the stove or in the microwave. Cans and plastic containers are usually cheaper compared to microwavable bowls, too. 


While low levels of exposure to the chemical BPA are safe, some studies show possible links to health concerns, especially in children. If you're concerned about BPA, look for BPA-free products. While BPA is commonly found in plastics, some cans can contain it as well. It's not as common nowadays, but some metal cans have a plastic lining that contains BPA. 

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Clam Chowder Soups

To help you in your search, we've narrowed down 10 products that are well-loved by reviewers. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available. *Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Jim Quast.
Popularity

Products

Image

Click to purchase

Key features

1

Progresso

New England Clam Chowder

Progresso New England Clam Chowder 1

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With a Rich Flavor

2

Tony's Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder6 pack

Tony's Clam Chowder Clam Chowder 1

Spices and Bacon for a Savory Clam Chowder

3

Campbell's

Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder

Campbell's Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder 1
Currently unavailable

Hearty Soup Packed With 11 Grams of Protein to Fill You Up

4

Progresso

New England Clam Chowder4 pack

Progresso New England Clam Chowder 1
Currently unavailable

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With Only 210 Calories Per Can

5

Campbell's Chunky

Chunky New England Clam Chowder 8 pack

Campbell's Chunky Chunky New England Clam Chowder  1

Clam Chowder in a Convenient Microwavable Bowl

6

The Black Pearl

Condensed Clam Chowder6 pack

The Black Pearl Condensed Clam Chowder 1

Condensed Clam Chowder With a Thick, Creamy Consistency

7

Amazon Kitchen

Clam Chowder New England-Style Soup

Amazon Kitchen Clam Chowder New England-Style Soup 1

A Large Serving to Share With Friends and Family

8

Progresso

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Progresso Manhattan Clam Chowder 1

Manhattan-Style Clam Chowder in a Tomato-Based Sauce

9

Campbell's

Homestyle New England Clam Chowder4 pack

Campbell's Homestyle New England Clam Chowder 1
Currently unavailable

Clam Chowder That Really Tastes Homemade

10

Bar Harbor

Cherrystone Clam Chowder6 pack

Bar Harbor Cherrystone Clam Chowder 1

Condensed Chowder With Tender and Sweet Cherrystone Clams

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Progresso
New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder 1
Source:amazon.com
New England Clam Chowder 2
Source:amazon.com
New England Clam Chowder 3
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$1.58
Low Mid
Reference price
$1.58
Low Mid

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With a Rich Flavor

What sets Progresso's clam chowder apart from other regular products is its natural, scrumptious taste that's made without any artificial flavors. It contains big chunks of succulent clams to make your meal feel more satisfying.


With a dash of Chablis wine, brandy, and sprinkles of parsley and celery, this aromatic clam chowder can wake up your taste buds. On top of that, it's gluten-free! Reviewers were obsessed with this soup for its comforting taste, creamy consistency, and slightly spicy kick. 


The soup was also loaded with potatoes and clams, which helped satiate reviewers' cravings. To make it even more savory and indulgent, they recommended adding bacon bits, sliced ham, or chopped clams. They also loved serving this soup along with freshly baked bread!

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Tony's Clam Chowder
Clam Chowder6 pack

Reference price
$38.99
High Mid

Spices and Bacon for a Savory Clam Chowder

If you are looking for something a little more exciting than traditional clam chowder, this product might fit the bill. It's made with chili pepper, garlic, cardamom, and other spices, which give this soup a unique flavor. Plus, the addition of bacon further elevates the savory taste! 


It's simple to prepare this clam chowder as well. Just mix the can with a similar amount of half and half and cook everything on the stove. You can even add a little bit of unsalted butter for a more indulgent taste. Just make sure not to boil the chowder!


Some reviewers found the salt content relatively high, which is common with canned soups. Nonetheless, the decadent and rich flavor of this soup wowed many. Unlike other products that were just sprinkled with tiny bits of clams, this soup was truly loaded with juicy and succulent clams! They also loved the creamy texture and spicy kick.

No.3

Campbell's
Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder

Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder 1
Source:walmart.com
Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder 2
Source:walmart.com
Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder 3
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$1.78
Low Mid
Reference price
$1.78
Low Mid

Hearty Soup Packed With 11 Grams of Protein to Fill You Up

Need something that can give you a quick boost of energy and fill you up? This product might do the trick! It has a balanced amount of potatoes and clams, and there is an indulgent combination of buttermilk, cream, and butter


What's more, each can provides approximately 11 grams of protein for a satisfying meal! If you don't have time to cook it one the stove, simply pour the contents into a bowl and microwave it until hot. 


A few people were disappointed to receive dented cans. Meanwhile, many others, particularly those who love chunky soup, found this is a must-have. There were plenty of clams and potatoes in the soup, and the consistency wasn't watered down like other products. Reviewers said that this chowder was heavenly with bread or crackers! 

No.4

Progresso
New England Clam Chowder4 pack

New England Clam Chowder 1
Source:walmart.com
New England Clam Chowder 2
Source:walmart.com
New England Clam Chowder 3
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$6.32
Mid
Reference price
$6.32
Mid

Gluten-Free Clam Chowder With Only 210 Calories Per Can

If you're concerned about the calories, this light clam chowder from Progresso might be for you. Each can only has 210 calories, and this chowder crafted without gluten, too. Despite being healthy, this low-calorie spin on clam chowder doesn't sacrifice on taste. 


The blend of clam broth, clams, and dried potatoes gives this soup a wholesome, yummy flavor that you keep you wanting more. According to a few consumers, though, the consistency was a bit too thin


You can solve this issue by adding a bit of cornstarch slurry (a mixture of cornstarch and cold water). Your chowder will immediately thicken up! On another note, for many reviewers, this soup tasted terrific and was quite similar to homemade chowder. Both adults and kids loved the taste, as well!

No.5

Campbell's Chunky
Chunky New England Clam Chowder 8 pack

Reference price
$26.71
High Mid

Clam Chowder in a Convenient Microwavable Bowl

If you're in a pinch and don't have time to cook, this clam chowder can come to your rescue! It comes in a convenient microwavable bowl, so you just need to pop it in the microwave, wait for a few minutes, and voila! 


On top of that, there are plenty of juicy clams that take the texture to another level, and they give you a heartier, more fulfilling meal. There are no artificial flavors, either! 


Reviewers agreed that the soup tasted delicious and felt that it contained a decent amount of clams and potatoes. The creamy and smooth texture was just right as well! The microwavable bowl was also a favorite feature since it helped make the soup quick and easy to prepare.

No.6

The Black Pearl
Condensed Clam Chowder6 pack

Reference price
$35.00
High Mid

Condensed Clam Chowder With a Thick, Creamy Consistency

With wholesome ingredients such as clams, clam juice, potatoes, this classic clam chowder is irresistibly rich in and can satiate your hunger as well. Not to mention, the use of black pepper, onion, and garlic further give the flavor more complexity!


Since the soup is quite condensed, you might want to add some liquid, like half-and-half or milk, to thin it down a little bit. According to reviewers, this soup was their go-to treat! They mentioned that the quality was restaurant-like, too. 


The chowder was packed with clams and potatoes, and the broth was truly exquisite. Some reviewers noted that a splash of fresh cream and some dill turned this soup into a gourmet dish. Adding some diced veggies and chopped clams gave the chowder more substance, as well. 

No.7

Amazon Kitchen
Clam Chowder New England-Style Soup

A Large Serving to Share With Friends and Family

This clam chowder from Amazon Kitchen is a real treat for your taste buds. Instead of just using clam broth, this product contains fish stock that is flavored with thyme, mustard seeds, bay leaves, and black pepper! 


And with pork, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, this chowder packs a flavorful punch! It also comes in a large 24-ounce container, so you can cook up a meal to share with your friends and family. 


A few reviewers had some packaging issues, such as a broken seal. Still, there were many things about this clam chowder that made reviewers fall in love. The soup was thick, creamy, and substantial with plenty of clams and veggies. You can easily satisfy rumbling tummies with this product!

No.8

Progresso
Manhattan Clam Chowder

Reference price
$2.99
Low Mid

Manhattan-Style Clam Chowder in a Tomato-Based Sauce

If New England-style clam chowder is too heavy for you, try this Manhattan-style soup. Instead of cream, this soup uses tomatoes to make the base, so the taste is light and refreshing. There are also tons of potatoes, carrots, and clams to curb your hunger. 


Some reviewers noted that the number of clams was quite light, and there wasn't a strong clam flavor. For other reviewers, this clam chowder was their all-time favorite. Those who were on a low-calorie diet also loved that the product contained only 220 calories per can. 

No.9

Campbell's
Homestyle New England Clam Chowder4 pack

Homestyle New England Clam Chowder 1
Source:walmart.com
Homestyle New England Clam Chowder 2
Source:walmart.com
Homestyle New England Clam Chowder 3
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$8.29
Mid
Reference price
$8.29
Mid

Clam Chowder That Really Tastes Homemade

It's true that canned soups are convenient, but they sometimes have an artificial taste that might be off-putting. However, this New England clam chowder is crafted with hearty ingredients, such as potatoes, clams, and clam stock, without any artificial flavors or preservatives


Preparation is beyond easy as well! You can cook it either on a stove or in the microwave. The can is BPA-free, too! Consider adding a few extra ingredients like bacon bits or fresh seafood to make the soup even more fulfilling. 


According to various reviewers, this clam chowder tasted like it was made from scratch. There was an ample amount of potatoes and clams, and the consistency was rich and creamy as well. The seasonings were just right; it wasn't too salty or too bland. And with a side salad and a few crackers, it made quite a comforting meal.  

No.10

Bar Harbor
Cherrystone Clam Chowder6 pack

Reference price
$31.89
High Mid

Condensed Chowder With Tender and Sweet Cherrystone Clams

Usually, canned clam chowders are packed with clams that are quite bland. However, this soup from Bar Harbor is loaded with cherrystone clams that are freshly harvested from Maine. Compared to other kinds of clam, cherrystones are relatively sweeter and softer. 


We also liked that this product is only made from natural ingredients. When looking at the ingredient list, you'll find no obscure chemical-sounding ingredients at all! If you want to make the soup a little bit more indulgent, add some butter, milk, or cream. 


This clam chowder was a hit for many reviewers. The consistency was just right, and the flavor was superb. The cherrystone clams were much more flavorful and tender in comparison to larger clams, and they tasted pretty fresh as well. To perk it up a little, buyers recommended adding in some chopped clams or fresh herbs. 

Jazz Up Your Clam Chowder With These Tips

Jazz Up Your Clam Chowder With These Tips

Ready-made clam chowder soups are convenient, but, let's face it, they don't taste homemade! To elevate the taste of a store-bought soup, you might want to add a few more ingredients such as chopped fresh clams, diced potatoes, or corn.


Herbs like chives and celery can make your soup more aromatic and delight your taste buds as well! For some extra indulgence, swirl in some cream or half-and-half. A teeny bit of unsalted butter or cheddar cheese is fantastic as well. 


Bacon bits, ham, or sausage can also provide a nice, salty touch to your soup. Want a bit of a kick? A little chili sauce or chili pepper can excite your palate, too!

Top 5 Clam Chowder Soups

No. 1: ProgressoNew England Clam Chowder

No. 2: Tony's Clam ChowderClam Chowder6 pack

No. 3: Campbell'sHealthy Request New England Clam Chowder

No. 4: ProgressoNew England Clam Chowder4 pack

No. 5: Campbell's ChunkyChunky New England Clam Chowder 8 pack

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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