This is a quick low carb and Keto New England Clam Chowder with 10g net carbs per serving.
“NO SOUP FOR YOU!!” -Seinfeld
Today I made a big pot of New England Clam Chowder, so naturally, I’m thinking about the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. (video below) He was, of course, the purveyor of the best soup in Manhattan. But he was very picky about this customers. If you upset the Soup Nazi, you were out.
But let’s talk chowder.
Or “chowdah” if you are actually from New England. I went straight to the source for this recipe, the venerable Cook’s Illustrated. And then I swapped daikon radishes for potatoes and xanthan gum for white flour. And the result? A delicious low carb New England Clam Chowder with only 10g net carbs per serving.
So here you go. SOME SOUP FOR YOU!
Low Carb Keto New England Clam Chowder

This is a quick low carb New England Clam Chowder with 10g net carbs per serving.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 (8z) jar clam juice
3 (6.5oz) chopped or whole clams, strained and juice reserved
1/2 cup water
1 cup daikon radish or cauliflower, diced
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Fry bacon in a large skillet or Dutch Oven over medium heat until crispy, 5-6 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain oil on paper towels.
- Add onion and celery and cook until softened, 5 minutes.
- Add clam juice, reserved clam juice, water, bay leaf, thyme, daikon radish or cauliflower, salt and pepper.
- Once the broth is heated through, take out 1/2 cup broth and dissolve xanthan gum in it. Return to the soup pan and mix well.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes until radish or cauliflower is tender and soup has thickened.
- Add bacon, cream, clams and parsley to the pan and bring back to a simmer.
- Serve as soon as the soup is heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 17
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: Low Carb Clam Chowder, Keto Clam Chowder, New England Clam Chowder
EmilyKrill says
No, that is a very reasonable question! Sorry I left that out. The clams go in at the very end along with the cream, bacon and parsley. Apologies!
Jacob Smith says
Thank you so much! I’m cooking this tonight for the fam. Can’t wait!
Amy says
My husband is in love with this clam chowder *especially since it’s keto! I’ve never used xanthan gum or diakon radish and I’m thrilled with both. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. ( I do add one extra can of clams and having never used canned clams I found there’s chopped and whole, I use the whole)
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Thank you so much for letting me know that you and your husband like the clam chowder! I’m going to make a note on the recipe that you can use chopped or whole clams. Thanks for the reminder that there are two options.
Deanna says
This sounds awesome! Do you know where the majority of carbs comes from?
EmilyKrill says
The carbs come from the cream, daikon radishes and onions.
Jenna says
My hubs is going to be so excited. He loves New England Clam Chowder. But I usually cheat and buy it from the store!
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Yea, me too. But it’s actually really easy to make if you use canned clams and clam juice.
Sonal says
Looks like a really comforting soup. A perfect chowder for anybody who loves it.
★★★★★
Chris Collins says
I absolutely LOVE clam chowder and your version looks so delicious! Can’t wait to make it 🙂
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Yay! Let me know how you like it.
kim says
Such a warm comforting recipe! I love this!
EmilyKrill says
I love warm comforting soups too.
Taylor W. says
So creamy and comforting! Yum!
★★★★★