From oyster crackers to veggies to French fries, plenty of side dishes complement this hearty soup. Clam chowder is rich and packed with tender potatoes and juicy lumps of clam swimming in a pool of thick cream. It’s indulgent, filling, and incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect comfort food. There are several types of chowder, but all of them are yummy. There’s the Rhode Island version with a clear broth, the tomato-based chowder from New York, and my favorite, New England clam chowder. Regardless of its type, clam chowder always tastes so much better when paired with the perfect side dishes. And since this thick soup is packed with so much flavor and texture, there are a plethora of side dishes to choose from
What Goes With Clam Chowder: 14 Delightful Side Dishes
Wondering what to pair with this seafood favorite? Here are 14 of the best side dishes for clam chowder.
1. Bread Rolls
Clam chowder served in a bowl of bread is always a fantastic idea. But if you want to keep things simple, serve some soft and buttery bread rolls on the side. Dunk these little guys in your steaming hot chowder and let it absorb all that creamy goodness. These light, fluffy dinner rolls are best served right out of the oven and topped with a thin layer of buttery goodness.
2. Oyster Crackers
Or, instead of soft dinner rolls, how about some crisp and savory oyster crackers? This combination of thick and tender soup and crunchy crackers is a well-loved classic. And they’re easier to make than you think! Not only that but making them yourself means you can get creative with the shapes.
3. 1905 Salad
When it comes to clam chowder, you can never go wrong with pairing it with a simple salad. Of course, clam chowder is so rich and indulgent that you’ll want something light to balance it out. This 1905 salad adds a nice meaty element along with salty olives and umami flavors. That said, you could make any salad. I think coleslaw or kale salad with goat cheese would work well. And, naturally, a classic Caesar salad with lots of crunchy croutons!
4. Roasted Veggies
As I’ve mentioned, a rich and hearty clam chowder needs a light side dish to balance it out, and veggies are a great way to do just that. The flavors are subtle, so you won’t have to worry about them overpowering the main dish. Roast your vegetables to give them a nice char and caramelized flavor. You can use your favorite veggies, but carrots, asparagus, beets, and turnips are especially appropriate for roasting. Tomatoes, fennel, mushrooms, and artichokes also make fantastic choices.
5. Corn on the Cob
And while we’re on the subject of simple pairings, here’s another one: clam chowder and corn on the cob. Apart from going really well with chowder, corn on the cob is also easy to prepare. You can either grill it, bake it, roast it, boil it, or here’s a new one – microwave it. Adding flavor to the sweet, juicy, and nutritious corn is also very simple. Just add butter and salt! Some basil will do wonders as well. Or, if you want to go over the top, try making this insanely flavorful roasted parmesan corn.
6. French Fries
Clam chowder has potatoes, so it only makes sense that it tastes great with even more potatoes! Cut your spuds into thin slices to make incredibly crispy fries that add a nice crunch to your meal. I love a combination of textures when putting together the perfect feast.
7. Bacon
Bacon makes everything better, and clam chowder is no exception. Picture this: a hot bowl of juicy clams, tender potatoes, and creamy broth, topped with smoky and savory chunks of bacon. That sounds like perfection to me.
8. Jiffy Cornbread Pancakes
Here’s another soft and tender side that pairs perfectly with this creamy soup. Make cornmeal pancakes infused with pumpkin puree for an excellent sweet side dish that balances out the richness of clam chowder. Oh, and did I mention they’re completely gluten-free?
9. Mussels Mariniere
Turn your dinner into a complete seafood feast by serving mussels mariniere! Mussels are chewy and have a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with clams. Together, clams and mussels create a harmony of flavors and textures that will surely satisfy your palate.
10. Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Speaking of seafood, here’s more: scallops. But not just any ‘ol scallops – bacon-wrapped scallops! The soft and chewy shellfish is already so flavorful on its own. But when it’s wrapped in a thin and crisp strip of bacon, it becomes even more delicious. Combining these two makes one salty and savory side dish that goes fantastic with clam chowder.
11. Crisp Corn & Clam Fritters
You know what other shellfish tastes great with clam chowder? Why clams, of course! It’s the perfect combination. Turn those bad boys into fritters and fry them to perfection.
12. White Lily Cornbread
Cornbread is sweet, savory, and filling – everything that a bowl of clam chowder needs to reach perfection.
13. Cheesy Beer Batter Bread
We already know that bread and clam chowder go well together. But do you know what else does? A cold glass of beer. Put that bread and beer together, and you’ll have some delicious beer-battered bread! The cheese is just an added little bonus!
14. Dessert
No matter how filling your meal is, it’s just not complete without dessert. So, end your meal with a rich and decadent dessert to finish off your seafood feast. I think these sinful brownies topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup will hit the spot! That said, a decadent apple cobbler with a cinnamon-sugar crumble topping would be pretty impressive. You could also serve some sweet and buttery shortbread cookies. But since the main meal is already so rich and creamy, you may opt for something light and refreshing. In that case, strawberry shortcake hits the spot! It doesn’t get much better than fresh strawberries and crunchy biscuits topped with homemade whipped cream. Some of my other favorite desserts to pair with seafood include sorbet, fruit tarts, bananas foster, parfaits, and tiramisu. So, basically, anything sweet and indulgent! Click on a star to rate it!
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