Easy Manhattan Clam Chowder Recipe That’s Naturally Gluten Free And Low Carb

This Manhattan clam chowder is warm, savory, and deeply comforting without feeling heavy or complicated. Made with simple ingredients and naturally gluten free and low carb, it’s a one-pot dish that delivers real flavor and an easy win when you want comfort food that still supports your feel-good goals.

This new Manhattan clam chowder is one of those recipes that makes you slow down in the best way.

The broth is rich and tomatoey, the clams are tender, and the smoky bacon simmers right in the broth, pulling all that savory flavor into every spoonful.

It’s warm, satisfying, and exactly the kind of chowder you want when you wish eating gluten free didn’t feel so restrictive.

This reminds me of the same comfort I aim for in my easy minestrone soup: warm, familiar, and easy to come back to.

If you love the cozy, briny flavors in this red clam chowder, you’ll love my low carb zoodles with clam sauce (a fresh, easy pasta substitute) and my gluten free spaghetti with clam sauce. They’re both comforting dinners that feel light, satisfying, and not the least bit restrictive.

Clams are a wonderful source of Vitamin A, B12, selenium, magnesium, iron, and omega-3.

Yes! This Manhattan clam chowder has earned its place in my seafood recipe collection because it captures that fresh-from-the-coast flavor.

I’ve been cooking gluten free for over 20 years, and I know how easy it is to feel like traditional comfort foods are off-limits. That’s why I’m genuinely excited about this one because it delivers on flavor first.

No strange swaps. No complicated techniques. Just a comforting bowl of soup that feels familiar and generous. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you why this way of eating can still feel enjoyable.

This is comfort without compromise, and it’s one you’ll want on repeat.

And if you want that same calm confidence on the nights you’re staring at plain chicken or salmon, my Sauce System is where I walk you through exactly how to turn everyday proteins into something scrumptious. No overthinking substitutions, just quick, flavorful meals you’ll actually look forward to.

In case you’re wondering…

What is the origin of Manhattan clam chowder?

Manhattan clam chowder has roots in the coastal Northeast, where clams were plentiful, but unlike New England clam chowder (rich and creamy with milk or cream) cooks leaned on tomatoes instead. Italian and Portuguese immigrants brought tomato-based soups to New York in the late 1800s, shaping what became this lighter, brothier version of chowder.

It was practical, affordable, and deeply comforting, especially for families cooking with what they had. A reminder that good food does not need to be heavy to feel satisfying.

Ingredients

First, gather all your ingredients. Wash, peel, and chop so you’ll be ready to begin. It’s best to cut all the veggies into similar sizes so they cook evenly. I like fire-roasted organic Muir Glen tomatoes (diced or crushed depending upon how chunky you want it).

Today I’m using canned chopped or minced clams. They’re convenient, easy to keep on hand, and still give you that classic briny flavor you want in a good Manhattan clam chowder.

For the clam juice, I always reach for Bar Harbor. It’s naturally lower in sodium than most brands, which means your chowder tastes rich and savory without tipping into “too salty.” If you can’t find it, you’re still good. Just hold off on adding extra salt, give the chowder a taste at the end, and adjust from there.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post. 

I like to cook the bacon right in the bottom of my heavy-bottomed pot. This way I can cook the veggies in the reserved bacon fat. 

Set the cooked bacon aside to drain on a plate lined with a paper towel.

Then add a little oil to the reserved bacon fat and sauté the veggies on a medium flame. About five minutes. Add your chopped cooked bacon back in and your garlic towards the end so it doesn’t burn, and simmer for one more minute.

Then add chicken broth, clam juice, and clams with their juice, diced tomatoes with the juice, and your seasonings (fresh or dried): rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, a bay leaf, and salt. The fresh herbs I have on hand today are Italian parsley and sage.

Stir it all together and let it simmer partially covered for about 15 minutes while those flavors come together. Good food doesn’t need to be complicated. Remove the bay leaf and serve, or chill it overnight if you want an even richer chowder tomorrow.

Serving suggestions

You don’t need anything fancy here. A handful of gluten-free crackers, a cozy gluten free corn muffin, or a fresh salad is all it takes. Or serve alongside one of these gluten-free sandwiches or wrap like this Philly cheesesteak lettuce wrap for an easy lunch.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I make this chowder ahead of time? You can, and it’s even better the next day. The flavors settle in, making leftovers something to look forward to.

What are some variations I can try? 

• If potatoes work for you, they’re an easy addition. They make the chowder heartier and soak up the tomato broth beautifully. Dice them and add them early so they turn tender without falling apart.
• If you’re here for the clams, add a little more. John likes me to double the clams so I use 4 cans! It shifts the balance toward the seafood and makes the chowder feel more indulgent without changing the structure of the recipe.

Can I use fresh shucked clams? Absolutely. Fresh shucked clams work beautifully here. You can usually find them in small deli-style containers at the fish counter in many supermarkets. Add them toward the end of cooking and let them simmer just until tender, you’re aiming for soft and briny, not chewy.

Tell me in the comments if you’ve cooked with fresh shucked clams before.

How can I store leftover soup? Let the chowder cool to room temperature and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months for longer storage. Portion it out so future dinners feel handled before you even think about cooking.

This Manhattan clam chowder is the kind of recipe I come back to when I want dinner to feel calm and taken care of. It’s warm, familiar, and satisfying in a way that fits into real life, not a diet plan. If you make it, tell me in the comments how it went for you, and share this with someone who could use easy, mealtime comfort right now.

Tell me in the comments if soup counts as a full meal in your house.

More gluten free soup recipes

Gluten Free French Onion Soup With A Low Carb Option – This tastes like something you’d linger over in a little café, but it’s easy enough to make when you’re already worn out from the day. The flavors are big, the steps are doable, and it proves you don’t have to give up cozy, satisfying meals just because you’re eating gluten free or low carb.

Easy Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup – It’s loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and tender bite-size broccoli floating in a velvety cream broth. Yum. Best of all, it’s a snap to make. It will be ready to ladle into your bowl in just twenty minutes.

Ham Bone Soup – This Slow Cooker Ham Bone Soup is the easiest and most delicious way to turn your leftover ham bone it into a hearty soup with zero fuss.

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Easy Manhattan Clam Chowder (Low Carb and Gluten Free)

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This Manhattan clam chowder is warm, savory, and deeply comforting without feeling heavy or complicated. Made with simple ingredients and naturally gluten free and low carb, it’s a one-pot dish that delivers real flavor and an easy win when you want comfort food that still supports your feel-good goals.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 334kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 stalks of celery diced
• 2 carrots diced
• 1 small onion diced
• 3/4 cup of zucchini diced
• 3 ounces of cooked bacon diced
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 28 - ounce can gluten free diced tomatoes
• 4 cups gluten free chicken stock or broth
• 8 ounces clam juice
• 2 6.5-ounce cans minced clams with juice

Herbs and spices

• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon of thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon of oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon of sage
• 1 large handful of Italian parsley chopped
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Cook your bacon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
  3 ounces of cooked bacon diced
• Add oil to the reserved bacon fat in your dutch oven pot. Sauté celery, carrots, onions, zucchini over a medium heat. Toss them around with a wooden spoon so they cook evenly. The onions will be translucent. This takes about 5 minutes.
  2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, 2 stalks of celery diced, 2 carrots diced, 1 small onion diced, 3/4 cup of zucchini diced
• Then add your minced garlic and chopped bacon and stir for one more minute.
  3 cloves of garlic minced
• Add tomatoes with the juice, clams with their juice, clam juice, chicken broth, herbs, and spices.
  28 - ounce can gluten free diced tomatoes, 4 cups gluten free chicken stock or broth, 8 ounces clam juice, 2 6.5-ounce cans minced clams with juice, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of marjoram, 1/4 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon of sage, 1 large handful of Italian parsley chopped, 1 bay leaf
• Give it all a good stir and simmer, partially covered for 15 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and serve.

Notes

Can I make this chowder ahead of time? You can, and it’s even better the next day. The flavors settle in, making leftovers something to look forward to.

What are some variations I can try? 

• If potatoes work for you, they’re an easy addition. They make the chowder heartier and soak up the tomato broth beautifully. Dice them and add them early so they turn tender without falling apart.
• If you’re here for the clams, add a little more. My husband likes me to double the clams so I use 4 cans! It shifts the balance toward the seafood and makes the chowder feel more indulgent without changing the structure of the recipe.

Can I use fresh shucked clams? Absolutely. Fresh shucked clams work beautifully here. You can usually find them in small deli-style containers at the fish counter in many supermarkets. Add them toward the end of cooking and let them simmer just until tender, you’re aiming for soft and briny, not chewy.

Tell me in the comments if you’ve cooked with fresh shucked clams before.

How can I store leftover soup? Let the chowder cool to room temperature and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months for longer storage. Portion it out so future dinners feel handled before you even think about cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.9g | Protein: 13.2g

did you make this recipe? If you found this recipe helpful, please leave a quick comment and a ★★★★★ rating. It really helps others find this recipe and means a lot to me. Thanks so much!