Clam chowder isn’t the easiest dish to make, which is why most people turn to the canned version. But while this route is fast and convenient, it rarely results in a satisfying meal, considering that canned clam chowder can be quite tasteless or simply boring. Luckily, there are several tips you can use to elevate canned clam chowder and make it more flavorful and exciting. Check them out below.
Add Chili Flakes or Hot Sauce
One simple way to make clam chowder better is to add some heat to it. This will shake up your palette and make the existing flavors more pronounced. Simply take some chili flakes and stir them into the dish. Out of chili flakes? Any hot sauce will do the job quite well. Just make sure not to go overboard.
Mix in Some Cream
Homemade clam chowder recipes use generous amounts of cream or milk. However, the dairy content in canned clam chowder is usually on the low side. Mixing a bit of cream into the canned clam chowder will give you a more satisfying texture and pronounced flavors. One or two tablespoons of cream towards the end of cooking will be just right.
Throw in Bacon Bits
Bacon makes everything better, and canned clam chowder is no different. Cut the bacon strips into bits and crisp them up in a pan. Then add them to clam chowder while heating it up. The fattiness and rich flavor of the bacon will be a game changer.