Cast Iron Clam Chowder

We love clam chowder, especially in the cold winter months. I’ve modified a few different recipes to come up with this one. Whenever I buy nitrite-free bacon, I always save the grease in a glass jar in the refrigerator to use for recipes like these. Serve with sourdough bread!

Step: 1

Heat bacon grease in a cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat; cook and stir potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic until onion is soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add flour, salt, garlic powder, liquid smoke flavoring, and black pepper; stir until vegetables are evenly coated.

Step: 2

Pour chicken broth and reserved clam juice over vegetables; cook at a simmer over low heat until potatoes and carrots are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step: 3

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; stir in cornstarch until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk and cream; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step: 4

Stir butter mixture into vegetable-broth mixture; cook and stir over low heat until chowder is thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add corn and cook for 5 minutes. Mix chopped clams into chowder and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.

Per Serving: 459 calories; protein 19.6g; carbohydrates 50.5g; fat 20.3g; cholesterol 94.3mg; sodium 1239.2mg.