Crockpot Seafood Chowder: Step-by-Step Guide

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Our family friendly crockpot seafood chowder recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare! This flavor packed comfort food is perfect for any day of the week and the magic lies within the crockpot, where tender shrimp, fish and vegetables slowly simmer all day in a creamy white wine broth.

Rich and delicious, this chowder offers an easy meal that is ideal comfort food for both busy weekdays or relaxed weekends. Let’s get started!

Seafood Chowder Recipe

This creamy seafood crockpot chowder is also a perfect Christmas dish that’s easy to prepare in the morning.

Let it cook on low for several hours, and it’ll be ready to serve during your holiday festivities!

Our seafood chowder is made with a combination of fresh or canned ingredients like shrimp, scallops, potatoes, and celery.

Seafood chowder can be made with a variety of rich broths, including fish stock, clam juice, lobster stock, shrimp broth, and vegetable broth.

What kind of ingredients for creamy slow cooker seafood chowder?

Ingredient List:

One pound of peeled and deveined shrimp, one pound of cleaned and scrubbed clams, two cups of corn kernels (fresh or frozen), four medium-sized diced potatoes, two stalks of chopped celery, two peeled and sliced carrots, four cups of seafood broth (or chicken stock if unavailable), one cup of water, four cloves of minced garlic, one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, two tablespoons of butter, half a cup of flour (or cornstarch for thickening), and one cup of warm water for mixing with the flour if you’re using it.

How To Make Seafood Chowder in Crockpot

Step 1: Prepare Your Crockpot

Begin by setting up your crockpot and making sure it’s clean and ready for use. You can use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup, but it’s optional.

Step 2: Add the Liquids

• Pour the 4 cups of seafood broth into your crockpot.
• Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Mix well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Mix in the Seafood and Vegetables

• Carefully add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cleaned clams to the crockpot.
• Follow with the diced potatoes, chopped celery, sliced carrots, and corn kernels.

Step 4: Cooking Time

• Cover and cook
• Set your crockpot to “High” and let it cook for 4-5 hours. If you have more time, you can opt for the “Low” setting and cook for 6-8 hours.
• Check periodically to make sure the potatoes and celery have softened to your liking.

Step 5: Thicken Seafood Chowder (Optional)

• If you desire a thick seafood chowder, you can thicken it in the last 30 minutes of cooking or once the chowder is done
• If you have cornstarch, follow the directions on the box to achieve the desired thickness.
• If you don’t have cornstarch, you can make a flour mixture by combining 1/2 cup of flour with 1 cup of warm water.
• Slowly pour the flour mixture into the crockpot while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
• Allow the chowder to simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens to your preference.

What To Serve with Seafood Chowder

My mom has the best bread maker but unfortunately, she didn’t have time to make any so she picked up a fresh loaf of french country bread and it was perfect for dipping.

Homemade bread or oyster crackers pair perfectly with crockpot seafood stew!

What Is The Difference Between Seafood Chowder and Seafood Stew?

Seafood chowder and seafood stew may sound similar, but they are actually quite different dishes. Seafood chowder is a thick soup that typically consists of fish, shellfish, potatoes and milk or cream.

It is usually served with crackers or croutons. Seafood stew on the other hand is made with a tomato based broth and often contains vegetables like celery, onion, and bell peppers.

It also includes a variety of seafood like scallops, clams, shrimp, lobster or crab meat. Unlike chowder, seafood stew is not as creamy and is more like a soup than a stew.

Seafood Chowder Ideas

Slow cooker fish chowder ideas are endless!

I personally love to use halibut fish or any white fish in this recipe which will provide a more hearty fish alternative to shrimp or clams. I have added halibut to the chowder when I want more substance and a more filling chowder. 

• Use fresh seafood for the best flavor
• Simmer the chowder on low heat to allow flavors meld or use a slow cooker to cook all day
• Add chopped celery, bay leaves, salt and pepper and onions for a flavorful base
• garnish chowder with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of herbs
• Try different seasonings such as smoked paprika and thyme or red pepper flakes for added depth of flavor