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Easy Clam Chowder Recipe – Oma's Muschelsuppe

Oma Gerhild

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Updated: August 10, 2026

Oma's famous clam chowderCraving some really hearty comfort food? Try making Oma's simply delicious clam chowder!

What's the easiest clam chowder recipe? 

THIS ONE! Of all the recipes using clams, this one is the easiest to make. If you're looking for a seafood soup recipe you can adapt to whatever seafood you have, add this soup to your repertoire.

Want it lower in calories? Use milk instead of cream and use low-fat sour cream instead of regular sour cream. 

Yes, although "clam chowder" is known as a famous American dish, in Germany it's called "Muschelsuppe" and is very popular as well.

There is no one original American recipe ... nor is there one original German recipe. Check out the note at the end to find out how to make this more German! I'll give you a hint ... it's not more cream ...

Give this easy recipe a try. I think you'll also call it the easiest clam chowder recipe you've had!

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A Bit Of This And A Bit Of That ...

  • Add 1 cup (125 grams) of sliced mushrooms to the onions.
  • For extra spiciness, add 3-4 drops of hot pepper sauce.
  • Replace ½ cup (120 milliliters) of chicken broth with dry white wine.

Oma says:

If you're learning how to make chowder and want extra YUMMINESS? Add the German touch!

Dice 5 slices of bacon and fry them until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add to soup at the end. If you wish, you could fry the onions in the bacon fat. Extra yumminess!

Oh, so creamy and so delicious. Even my hubby, a non-seafood lover, loved this!

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Easy Clam Chowder Recipe – Oma's Muschelsuppe

Yes, although "clam chowder" is known as a famous American dish, in Germany it's called "Muschelsuppe" and is very popular as well. And if you're looking for a seafood soup recipe you can adapt to whatever seafood you have, add this soup to your repertoire.

Want it lower in calories? Use milk instead of cream and use low-fat sour cream instead of regular sour cream. 

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

25 minutes

Total Time:

35 minutes

Servings:

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (5 or 6½-ounce) shucked or minced clams
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil or butter
  • 1 cup (125 grams) chopped onions
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2½ cups (600 milliliters) chicken broth
  • 1½ cups (340 grams) cubed potatoes
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • ½ cup (113 grams) chopped celery
  • ½ pound (175 grams) haddock or cod fillets
  • ¾ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (3 grams) pepper
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) whipping cream
  • ¾ cup (185 grams) sour cream
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Drain clams, reserving juice.
  2. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onions and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the clam juice and chicken broth to the onions. Stir. Add potatoes, carrots, and celery. Stir and bring to boil. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  4. Cut fish fillets into bite-sized chunks. Add to soup along with the clams, basil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until fish is cooked.
  5. Lower heat and slowly stir in whipping cream and sour cream, being careful that soup does not come to a boil. Season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Serve, garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes/Hints:

  • Dice 5 slices of bacon and fry them until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add to soup at the end. If you wish, you could fry the onions in the bacon fat.
  • Add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms to the onions.
  • For some extra spiciness, add 3-4 drops of hot pepper sauce.
  • Replace ½ cup (120 milliliters) of chicken broth with dry white wine.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

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