Lactose Free Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

Total time4 hr 50 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time0 min

Smoky bacon and tender Yukon Gold potatoes simmer low and slow with sweet clams, a splash of clam juice, and aromatic onion, celery, and garlic, building a briny, deeply savory base over hours in the slow cooker. Fresh thyme and a bay leaf work quietly in the background, giving the broth real depth before it gets finished with a smooth, velvety thickened pour that brings everything together into that classic, spoon-coating chowder texture. Warmed through with the clams for one last round, it comes out rich and comforting in every bowl. A scatter of fresh parsley on top adds a little brightness against all that hearty, briny flavor. This one's an easy favorite to keep in your lactose free rotation, especially on a cold night when you want something ladled hot and eaten slow. Serve it with oyster crackers if you like a little crunch alongside the creamy stuff.

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Ingredients

6 servings

6 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Original Bacon Oscar Mayer Original Center Cut Bacon for a Low Carb Lifestyle Pack - 12 Oz Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Thick Cut Bacon Hormel Black Label Original Bacon 16 oz
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1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 stalks celery, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes
3 cans (6.5 oz each) chopped clams, drained, juice reserved
1 bottle (8 oz) clam juice
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
Chef's tip
Use unsweetened dairy-free heavy cream in cooked sauces, soups, and ganache. For whipped uses, choose a product labeled whippable.

For serving

2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
oyster crackers, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Cook the bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to the slow cooker insert with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
2
Add the onion and celery to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.

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