4 days Ago By [email protected] (Laura Oakley)
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Chowder may not top your list as a canned item you would expect to taste great. Typically enjoyed homemade, chowder is an extremely comforting dish that often comes with a side of nostalgia.
Regional variations tent to stick closely with those who grew up eating them, which is what makes clam chowder a hotly contested dish. Daily Meal embarked on a mission to find the best tasting canned clam chowder, tasting both the Manhattan and New England styles that are widely available. After trying 11 kinds of canned clam chowder and ranking them based on texture, flavor, balance, quality of ingredients and seasoning, one reigned supreme.
Bar Harbor New England clam chowder based out of Maine was the winner. Our reviewer found this chowder to be velvety smooth with a texture similar to béchamel. It had a sweet, buttery flavor and enough surf clams and potatoes to satisfy our expectations.
The first two ingredients in Bar Harbor New England clam chowder are surf clams and clam juice, which is no doubt responsible for the fresh clam flavor that carried our reviewer's senses back to the Atlantic coast. The chowder is made with real butter and thickened with rice flour, plus includes dried milk to help achieve that creamy texture. The brand claims it's made in small, hand-crafted batches with sustainable, wild seafood.
Many reviewers seem to think this chowder is missing a little something While we ranked the chowder in our top spot, several Reddit reviewers say Bar Harbor New England clam chowder needs to be additionally seasoned or thickened up with milk or cream. Some even suggested chopping up cooked potatoes and adding them to the chowder. Amazon customers also left mixed reviews with many people finding the consistency too thin.
The majority of reviews, however, were positive — even if they suggested adding additional ingredients. One notable review shared, "This is the best New England Clam Chowder that I've had in a long time. And I mean I've gotten it at restaurants too.
It's creamy and there's a lot of clams and potatoes." Another person added, "Thick milky broth and full of clams. Ahhhhh.
As good as any Boston restaurant." Although during our taste test we simply followed the instructions on the can, doctoring up canned clam chowder does seem to make sense to get a better version. If you don't have time for homemade, grab a can of Bar Harbor New England clam chowder and do what you need to do to make it taste closer to grandma's.
If you're not sure the creamy New England style is for you, check out our ultimate guide to different chowders..
