This creamy gluten free fish chowder recipe is special because it is roux-free! It isn't often you can have a gluten free New England-style chowder. As a special bonus, this soup is also lactose-free!
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(*This post was sponsored by Clover Sonoma. All opinions and happiness about their Lactose-Free milk are my own.)
Grab a spoon and appetite because you are going to want seconds of this delicious fish chowder. I also include a video below to watch every step of making this easy chowder recipe! If you love hot soup as much as we do, you may want to check out all of my delicious gluten free soup recipes.
Most New England-style chowders are made with a roux. Roux is a flour paste made out of wheat flour. This paste is used to thicken the chowder. My family also loves this homemade Gluten Free Clam Chowder recipe!
I am excited to share this recipe with you because it is possible to get that amazing creamy clam chowder flavor without lactose and gluten!
I have been buying Clover milk for years. Those who have been reading my blog for a while know how much I love companies that give back to their community and the environment.
- Clover has remained conscious and careful about what goes into its products (and what doesn't) for three generations. This means you can feel good about serving Clover Sonoma's milk to your family!
- Clover has sustained a commitment to natural dairy products, including non-GMO and organic lines sourced from small, local farms.
- Their community giveback program, Clover Cares, gives at least 5% of their annual profits to support what's dear to them: Elevating Dairy, Empowering Future Generations, and Supporting their Community. (Coming from a non-profit background, this is huge for me!)
AWESOME! Made this twice now. My Nova Scotia in-laws raved about how tasty it is. Both times I had to sub whole milk with a mixture of half n half cream and water. I also used the bacon grease as it is full of flavour. This is a keeper recipe 👍."
Amy S., Pinterest user
Ingredient Notes:
- Cod Fish - Use thawed raw cod.
- Bacon - Any bacon or turkey bacon works well.
- Milk - Use lactose-free or regular whole milk.
- Onions - I prefer using yellow onions.
- Potatoes - Use russet potatoes.
- Garlic - Whole cloves minced or jarred minced garlic.
- Olive Oil
- Cornstarch - Potato starch will also work well.
- Seasonings - Sage, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Substitutions:
- Change the seafood from Cod to clams, shrimp, or any of your favorite fish.
- Mix it up by using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. This will add more sweetness, which would taste great with the fresh sage!
How To Make New England-Style Fish Chowder:
Step 1: In a soup pot, add your oil, onion, and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes.
Step 2: Wash and dice the potatoes. I like to keep the skin on, but you can remove it if you prefer peeled potatoes. Chop the raw bacon into small pieces.
Step 3: Add the potatoes and bacon and cook for 5 minutes. Add the seasonings and cook for 10 minutes on medium-low until the potatoes are slightly softened.
Step 4: Mix the cornstarch with the potato and bacon mixture.
Step 5: Add the cod fillets and milk. Turn the heat up to medium, cover the pot, and bring it to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Reduce the heat and simmer for another 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!!
If you love New Enland Chowder, try this easy Oyster Chowder recipe.
Serve With:
- Gluten Free Breadsticks - These breadsticks are crusty on the outside and perfect for this gluten free seafood chowder.
- Easy Gluten Free Garlic Knots - The flavors in these garlic knots go perfectly with this chowder.
- Gluten Free Biscuits - These flaky biscuits hold the chowder and are great for dipping.
- Gluten Free Crackers
- Float these Gluten Free Goldfish Crackers in the soup!
Storage:
This chowder will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or for up to 4 months in the freezer.
Recipe FAQ:
You can use low-fat milk, but note that your soup may not be as creamy.
You can easily freeze this fish chowder recipe. Use a freezer-safe container and make sure it is sealed completely. To defrost the fish chowder, put it into a soup pot, cover it, and warm it to medium-low. Stir every few minutes until the soup is defrosted.
You can easily make this soup into a clam chowder by adding clams and clam juice, or you can check out my gluten free clam chowder recipe linked above.
Reader Rave:
Very yummy, takes a little while to put together . Make when you have time & patience 😅"
Joye H., Pinterest user
More Gluten Free Soup Recipes:
- Unstuffed Pepper Soup - This delicious soup is a readers' favorite.
- Gluten Free Corn Chowder - Thick and creamy with a hint of spice from green chiles.
- Creamy Chicken Potato Bacon Soup - This is similar to a potato chowder recipe I loved.
- Chili Mac Soup - This gluten free soup is a family favorite.
📖 Recipe
New England Style Fish Chowder
Ingredients
- 6 cups Clover Lactose Free Whole Milk
- 3 cod filets
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 cups potatoes diced
- 5 slices bacon cooked, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage (use 1 teaspoon if using dried sage)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme ( use 1 teaspoon if using dried)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a skillet, add oil and onion. Sauté until the onions begin to turn translucent.
- Add potatoes and cooked bacon. Mix well.
- Add seasonings and cornstarch and cook for 10 minutes.
- Next, add the milk and cod filets. (You can add the cod filets whole because they will break up when they are cooked. You can also put the fish in frozen if your fish is not defrosted.)
- Cover and bring to a boil, on medium heat and allow to gently boil for 10 minutes.
- Turn temperature to simmer and allow to cook another 20 minutes until done.
Video
Notes
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This recipe was updated from an older February 2018 post with more recipe details.
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Pete
Very quick, easy, and great tasting recipe! This was my first attempt at gluten and lactose free cooking and it worked great. I used striped bass that I had caught as the fish, and it was delicious.
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you loved the recipe, Pete. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know. I love you used striped bass. I haven't had that fish in ages.
Janet Remy
My son does a lot of fishing and we have quite a bit of frozen pike. Do you think that would work well in this recipe?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Janet, I haven't tried pike, but I am sure it would be fine.
Lea
Made this tonight with tilapia and it turned out GREAT!! We added a bit more salt and pepper. I will definitely make it again! Thank you!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked the recipe Lea! I would love it if you have time to star rate the recipe. Thank you so much.