Maine Fish Chowder

This authentic Maine Fish Chowder is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. It features chunks of tender white-fleshed fish, hearty potatoes, and sweet onions simmered in a rich, milky broth. The flavor profile is savory and aromatic, enhanced by the rendered fat of diced salt pork which adds a deep, smoky undertone characteristic of traditional New England cooking. The texture is satisfyingly thick without being heavy, offering a perfect balance between the soft vegetables and the delicate fish flakes. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or a hearty lunch, this soup is simple to prepare yet delivers a restaurant-quality taste. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping. A timeless recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table.

Cooking Method: Boiling, Frying

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Soups

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6

Calories: 819.1

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

This authentic Maine Fish Chowder is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. It features chunks of tender white-fleshed fish, hearty potatoes, and sweet onions simmered in a rich, milky broth. The flavor profile is savory and aromatic, enhanced by the rendered fat of diced salt pork which adds a deep, smoky undertone characteristic of traditional New England cooking. The texture is satisfyingly thick without being heavy, offering a perfect balance between the soft vegetables and the delicate fish flakes. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or a hearty lunch, this soup is simple to prepare yet delivers a restaurant-quality taste. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping. A timeless recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table.

Ingredients

1/4 pound Salt Pork, Diced
4 cup Diced Raw Potatoes
3 md Onions, Peeled & Sliced
2 teaspoon Salt
3 pound White Fleshed Fish
2 cup Scalded Milk
1 teaspoon Butter Or Margarine
1/4 teaspoon Pepper To Taste

Directions

1
In a heavy kettle or large pot, fry the diced salt pork over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the pork is crisp. Remove the pork pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
2
Add the diced potatoes, sliced onions, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the rendered fat in the pot. Cover with hot water.
3
Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender. Be careful not to overcook them.
4
Meanwhile, cut the white-fleshed fish into large chunks. Place the fish in a separate saucepan.
5
Add boiling water to the saucepan to cover the fish, along with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
6
Cover the saucepan and cook slowly until the fish is fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes.
7
Remove the fish from the heat. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve it.
8
Remove any bones from the fish chunks and flake the fish into bite-sized pieces.
9
Add the flaked fish and the reserved strained liquid to the potato-onion mixture in the heavy kettle.
10
Pour in the scalded milk. Place the kettle on the stove and heat through gently for about 5 minutes. Do not boil vigorously to prevent curdling.
11
Stir in the butter, pepper, and the reserved fried salt pork.
12
Serve immediately while hot.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 819.1kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20.0g31%
Saturated Fat 5.9g30%
Cholesterol 195.3mg66%
Sodium 10033.1mg419%
Total Carbohydrate 54.0g18%
Dietary Fiber 6.6g27%
Sugars 11.1g
Protein 95.7g192%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Fish Selection: Use fresh skinned haddock, cod, or other white-fleshed fish. Ensure the fish is deboned before serving.

Milk Temperature: Scald the milk before adding it to the chowder to prevent curdling when mixed with the hot broth.

Storage: Fish chowder is best served fresh. If storing, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.

Variation: For a richer chowder, you can substitute half of the milk with heavy cream, but keep the heat low.

Keywords: chowder, fish soup, maine, new england, comfort food, haddock, cod, potato soup, seafood, creamy soup, winter recipe, traditional, salty, hearty, homestyle, dinner, lunch, fish chowder, onion, milk

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/maine-fish-chowder/