Skip to Content

THE BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe

This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe is full of flavor that your whole family will love. Make sure you serve some crusty bread with this delicious chowder so that you can soak up every bite!

If you’re looking for more soup and chowder recipes, Authentic New England Clam Chowder and Hungarian Mushroom Soup will help you find tasty recipes that everyone will love!

The Best Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
The Best Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe

How to make Smoked Salmon Chowder from scratch is going to be one of your go-to recipes. Company coming? This is the perfect recipe.

The chowder sounds all fancy-schmancy, but it’s so easy to make. The layers of flavors will leave your taste buds happy. The smoky flavor of salmon brings this recipe to another level.

This is seriously one of the best soup recipes to try. I know a thing or two about soups, being a big-time soup lover and all.

Soup has got to be one of the most heart-warming meals you can make for your family. I’ve never understood the appeal of cooking canned soup, when making homemade soup is so easy.

You just have to find the best recipes. Well, congratulations! You did.  This Smoked Salmon Corn Chowder Recipe will become one of your signature recipes.

The BEST Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe

Tips for Smoking Salmon at Home

The best salmon to smoke is King Salmon. The reason Alaskan Smoked Salmon is the best is because it’s the fattiest salmon. It’s harder to dry out and has the most flavor. King Salmon is also probably going to be the most expensive one to purchase.

This is the home smoker that Amazon featured as their pick. I think it would make a fun present for your significant other.  Making gourmet food at home is an art we decide to bring into our lives.

Fun Facts About Salmon

Easy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe - Smoked Salmon on a Cutting Board
Easy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe – Smoked Salmon

There are six different types of salmon in North America:

Atlantic Salmon is sadly on the Endangered Species List.

Chinook Salmon is the largest of the salmon species. It is also known as King Salmon. It can weigh up to 125 pounds. (That’s a big fish!) Most of them weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. Chinook Salmon can live up to seven years. This wild salmon is found in Alaska (the state fish) and the West Coast.

Chum Salmon (also known as Dog Salmon), average weight is between 10 and 20 pounds. These fresh salmon are also found in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and live for 3-5 years.

Pink Salmon is the smallest in size of the types of salmon. They average between 3 and 5 pounds.

CoHo Salmon are known as “Silvers” and weigh between 10 and 12 pounds. This fish is also found in Alaska and the West Coast.

Sockeye Salmon is also known as “reds.” Their average weight is between 5 and 8 pounds.

Pink salmon and Chum Salmon are the species most used for smoked salmon. They are easier on your wallet. The next time you buy smoky salmon, be sure to find out what type of salmon they are.

There’s a fun annual Salmon Festival located in Issaquah, WA. This event attracts more than 150,000 visitors in two days. You can find out more information about this festival here.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this smoked salmon chowder recipe, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 182,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Bowl of Easy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
Bowl of Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe

Here’s How to Make Smoked Salmon Chowder

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup red pepper, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons butter

1 can chicken broth (14 1/2 ounces)

1 cup Yukon Gold diced potatoes, uncooked

1 cup shredded carrots

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1 can cream-style corn

2 cups half-and-half cream

8 ounces flaked smoked salmon (bones and skin removed) into bite-size pieces

How to Make Smoked Salmon Chowder

1) In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, sauté onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic in butter over medium heat until vegetables are tender.

2) Add broth, carrots, Yukon golds, salt, pepper, thyme, and dill to the large soup pot and bring to a boil.

3) Reduce to low heat. Cover and simmer for 40 more minutes or until you can easily pierce the potatoes.

4) Stir in the corn, cream, and smoked salmon.

5) Simmer for 15 more minutes.

6) Serve this great recipe hot with crusty bread or oyster crackers. Top the tasty chowder with fresh dill or chives.

Tips for making Smoke Salmon Chowder

  • For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
  • You can use matchstick carrots if you’re short on time.
  • My neighbor barbecues salmon on the grill, and saves the broken pieces for chowder.  
  • I use Yukon Gold potatoes for the recipe, but you can substitute red potatoes or russet potatoes.
  • You can substitute heavy cream for half and half in this smoke salmon chowder.
  • Olive oil can be used in place of butter when sautéing the onions, garlic, and celery.
  • You can substitute a yellow or orange bell pepper for the red pepper.
  • To make the chowder thinner, add a little chicken stock to the soup.
  • You can add a little cream cheese for a thicker smoked salmon chowder.

Can you freeze Smoked Salmon Chowder with Corn?   

I wouldn’t advise freezing any soups with cream or dairy. The dairy takes on a more grainy taste and texture when reheated.

Besides, I’m guessing you won’t have ANY leftovers – so it shouldn’t be a problem.

How long does Smoked Salmon Soup Recipe last in the fridge?  

You’ll want to refrigerate your Smoked Salmon Chowder within two hours of cooking after it cools down.

For best results, make sure you store your soup in a covered airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Your soup will last 3 to 4 days, when properly stored.

Vessels for Serving Creamy Salmon Soup: 

Sourdough Bread Bowls is one of my favorite ways to serve soup. Simply cut off the top of your round rustic bread and hollow them out.

For a casual get-together, serve your soup in cozy mugs.

What goes best with Smoke Salmon Corn Chowder?  

A loaf of crusty bread

Side Dish for Smoked Salmon Chowder  - Loaf of Crusty Bread
Side Dish for Smoked Salmon Chowder – Loaf of Crusty Bread

You’ll want to soak up every last drop of this fantastic seafood chowder, so a rustic loaf of bread is the perfect way to serve this dish.

A side salad

Side Dish for Smoked Salmon Chowder - Rustic Salad with Quinoa
Side Dish for Smoked Salmon Chowder – Rustic Salad with Quinoa

Soup and salad are the perfect combination on a cozy evening at home. A winter salad with pomegranates, beets, and spinach will pair well with this easy salmon bisque.

Can I use fresh salmon instead of the smoked salmon in the chowder?

While the smoky flavor is a defining characteristic of a smoked salmon chowder, you can use fresh salmon if you prefer. Simply cook the fresh salmon separately, flake it into the chowder, and adjust the seasonings to compensate for the lack of smokiness.

How do I prevent the cream in the chowder from curdling?

To prevent the cream from curdling in your smoked salmon chowder, avoid boiling the soup once the cream is added. Instead, simmer the chowder gently over low to medium heat and stir frequently. Additionally, you can add the cream near the end of the cooking process to minimize the risk of curdling.

We’ve reached the end of Smoked Salmon Chowder.  I hope you enjoyed it. Each spoonful of this hot smoked salmon chowder will have you thinking you’re in Pike Place Market in Seattle, where the best chowder is made.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked the Smoked Salmon and Corn Chowder.  

Be sure you to join our Creating a Cozy Life group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!  

Below I made a pin to add this great chowder recipe to Pinterest so you can refer back to it.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you make this recipe for smoked salmon chowder and take a photo, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our delectable smoked salmon chowder recipe. This creamy and savory smoked salmon soup is a delightful blend of tender smoked salmon, hearty potatoes, and medley of aromatic herbs. / Smoke Salmon Chowder Recipe / Smoked Salmon Soup / Soups and Stews / Soup and Stew Recipes / Smoked Salmon Recipes / Fall Soup Recipes / Fall Chowder Recipe
The Best Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe

More Amazing Soup Recipes You’ll Love!

Salmon Recipes

Printable Recipe Card for Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe with Nutritional Information

Close-Up Photo The Best Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
Yield: 8 servings

Smoked Salmon Chowder

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe is full of flavor that your entire family will love. Make sure you serve some crusty bread along side it, so you can soak up every bite!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion 
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery 
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 3 tablespoons butter 
  • 1 can chicken broth (14 1/2 ounces) 
  • 1 cup diced potatoes, uncooked 
  • 1 cup shredded carrots 
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper 
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed 
  • 1 can cream-style corn 
  • 2 cups half-and-half cream 
  • 8 ounces smoked salmon, flaked (bones and skin removed)

Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan sauté onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic in butter until vegetables are tender.
    2. Add broth, carrots, potatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, and dill and bring to a boil.  
    3. Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 40 more minutes or until you can easily pierce the potatoes.  
    4. Stir in the corn, cream, and smoked salmon.
    5. Simmer for 15 more minutes
    6. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce.

You can use matchstick carrots if you're short on time.

My neighbor barbecues salmon on her grill and saves the broken pieces for chowder.

You can substitute red potatoes or russet potatoes for the Yukon Gold potatoes.

You can substitute heavy cream for half and half.

Olive oil can be used in place of butter when sauteing the onions, garlic, and celery.

You can substitute a yellow or orange bell pepper for the red peopper.

To make the chowder thinner, add a little chicken broth to the stock.

You can add a little cream cheese to the chowder to make it thicker.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 207Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 40mgSodium 1254mgCarbohydrates 17gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 9g

 

 

 

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Carol Gindt

Thursday 15th of August 2024

We live in the land of salmon (Alaska). I am a finicky person when it comes to fish. I used some Kenai red salmon that we caught a couple of weeks ago and smoked. I made this recipe last night and my husband asked where I got this amazing recipe. Because of the rural location of where we live, I often have to substitute ingredients - but fortunately had all listed in the the recipe on hand. I did make the following additions: 2 tsp of smoked paprika, and heavy cream instead of Half and Half. All the flavors in this recipe meld together nicely and are not over powering. I served this with freshly baked jalapeno and red pepper cheese bread. If you are looking for an easy/hearty soup, look no further. This will definitely make our top 5 soup list this winter, north of the arctic circle!

Kelly Morse

Thursday 15th of August 2024

Hello Carol! I'm so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. - Kelly

Charlie Kramer

Monday 18th of March 2024

Great, easy to prepare recipe. Used native Alaskan salmon in the recipe, a bit heavy on the vegetables and heavy cream. It turned out wonderfully. Can’t wait to try this with halibut. Thanks for posting this Kelly.

Kelly Morse

Tuesday 19th of March 2024

You're very welcome Charlie! I appreciate you letting me know. Try my Hungarian Mushroom Soup and my Caramelized Onion Soup recipes too! You'll love them. If you want to try something unusual - my Frogmore Chowder is so good! - Kelly

Phyllis

Wednesday 31st of January 2024

I want to make this for a girls weekend using a crock pot on low heat for the middle steps, stirring in the salmon, corn and cream during the last 15 minutes or so. How long do you think I should cook it?

Kelly Morse

Thursday 1st of February 2024

Hello Phyllis! I would cook the ingredients 3-4 hours on high before adding the cream. Thanks, Kelly

Teri

Tuesday 23rd of January 2024

Any experience using almond milk with this recipe?

Kelly Morse

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hello Teri! You can use almond milk, but it won't have the same thickness of a chowder. - Kelly

Adrienne

Saturday 4th of November 2023

In the ingredients it doesn't say thyme or the amount. Its cooking while I am writing this. It tastes good so far.

Kelly

Tuesday 7th of November 2023

Hello Adrienne! You are so right...it's not on the recipe card. Thank you so much for pointing that fact out. I added it now. It's 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves. - Kelly

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US&adInstanceId=d5873f96-db56-427b-88bc-42f0e83b57a8 Skip to Recipe