What to Serve With Clam Chowder? 20 Best Side Dishes

Clam chowder is a hearty soup with all the goodness to keep you warm and satisfied on a winter night. However, while the soup is quite tasty and wholesome, it is incomplete without a side dish.

If you plan to include clam chowder in an upcoming dinner, we have some excellent side dishes to complement this soup.

The best side dishes to serve with Clam Chowder are bread, pancakes, french fries, avocado fries, cucumber salad, lentil salad, bacon, shrimp boil, veggies, and corn on the cob.

Dig in to explore all our recommendations.

Side Dishes to Serve With Clam Chowder

Clam chowder is a seafood favorite with lots of potatoes and herbs floating in thick cream. Here are a few things that may increase the value of this fantastic food creation.

1. Rosemary Bread

Made with chopped rosemary, yeast, sugar, salt, pepper, and water, this bread makes an excellent partner to clam chowder. It is light and delicious, giving you all the reasons to enjoy your meal.

Make sure that you follow the recipe carefully without missing all the steps and tips. This is important to avoid burnt or undercooked bread.

2. Gluten-free Bread

Just because you are allergic to gluten doesn't mean you should deprive yourself of great home-baked bread. This gluten-free option uses very few ingredients and stays fresh for a long time.

Also, it makes your bowl of clam chowder pretty delicious and fulfilling.

3. French Fries

It is very hard to resist a plate of french fries, and when paired with your favorite clam chowder, it might be impossible to give up your meal.

These fries are crispy and fresh. You can pair them with a nice dip and enjoy them with your family. If a sauce isn't your thing, you can dip the fries in your soup without worrying about judgments.

4. Avocado Fries

Are you tired of plain potato fries? In that case, complement your soup with a plate of avocado fries. They are delicious, satisfying, and pretty healthy too.

5. Carrot Fries

Since this creamy soup goes well with vegetables, try pairing a bowl with carrot fries. This recipe is unique but a great way to introduce vegetables to your kids.

6. Lentil Salad

This soup can get very heavy at times. If you don't want to feel bloated, pair it with a plate of lentil salad. Not only this side dish is fulfilling, but it also tastes quite delicious and refreshing.

It is a colorful salad, perfect for brightening your dining table. Also, it is pretty nutritious, perfect for growing kids.

7. Chicken Alfredo

If you are a working woman/man, we won't blame you for feeling hungry after work. Pair clam chowder with chicken alfredo to fill your stomach and heart with quality food. These are two creamy dishes, but just the right kind of pair to beat the hunger.

8. Steamed Dumplings

Dumplings get along with all kinds of soups, including clam chowder. This recipe uses minced cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and celery as a vegan filling for the dumplings.

Since the dumplings are steamed, they taste excellent and light. If you want to enjoy something meaty with your soup, you can also add chicken or beef to the filling.

9. Steamed Vegetables

Suppose your body craves a healthy meal. In that case, pair clam chowder with a bowl of steamed vegetables.

You can include as many vegetables as possible, such as broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cucumber, and peas. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, and feel great after completing them with your soup.

10. Shrimp Boil

There is nothing like too much seafood. Shrimp boil contains meat, seafood, and veggies, allowing you to have a complete meal with clam chowder. Make sure this dish is warm enough to taste great with the creamy soup.

Also, don't hesitate to add as many vegetables as you like when creating this dish. For instance, you can include corn, carrots, peas, and broccoli to make the side dish healthier and wholesome.

11. Grilled Con On the Cob

A well-seasoned and hot corn on the cob is a fantastic side dish for clam chowder. The recipe includes only three ingredients served with a lemon.

When grilled, the charred corn tastes smoky, a hard-to-resist flavor. Also, ensure to serve more than one corn on the cob, as a single serving is not always enough.

12. Oyster Crackers

Although these crackers are tiny, they are homemade and delicious. Also, in Boston, many restaurants serve clam chowder with oyster crackers because the former is boring without the latter.

Oyster crackers are very easy to make. Besides, if you have leftovers, you can consume them as snacks without regret.

13. Bacon

Raise your hands if you agree that bacon tastes excellent with everything. And luckily, clam chowder isn't an exception.

Imagine a bowl of juicy clams with potatoes and creamy sauce topped with savory and smoky bacon. Doesn't that sound mouthwatering? Try this combination to believe us.

14. Cheesy Grilled Sandwiches

You may want to pair your soup with a cheesy side if you are a cheese lover. In that case, we recommend you try one of the most delicious and wholesome cheesy grilled sandwiches.

Why do we love them? The recipe uses lots of grated Parmesan cheese and butter on Italian bread, a treat everyone loves.

Moreover, it is so easy to make. All the ingredients used are already available in your pantry, so you save the hassle of going out.

15. Sesame Cucumber Salad

If you want to pair clam chowder with a delicious side dish, we recommend trying the sesame cucumber salad. It uses sesame oil and rice vinegar to create a tasty dressing.

What's more, it is very easy to make with just a few ingredients. It is flavorful and delicious, two great characteristics of a light and healthy salad.

16. Jiffy Cornbread Pancakes

Pancakes and clam chowder, is this a surprising and unexpected combination? It definitely is, but believe that you will love this pair and thank us later.

Since pancakes are soft, sweet, and tender, they pair well with a bowl of creamy soup. The recipe makes gluten-free pancakes with cornmeal flour and pumpkin puree. Since there are no restrictions, you can make yours with strawberry or apple puree.

These pancakes perfectly balance the richness of clam chowder.

17. Bread Rolls

Do you crave buttery and sweet bread rolls with your warm, creamy clam chowder? If yes, try this side and create a simple meal for your guests.

Luckily, bread rolls are quite easy to make. Besides, they don't take long to make.

You can dunk the rolls in your hot soup so they absorb all the richness and creaminess. Ensure to serve the buns as soon as they are out of your oven, and layer them with butter for some much-needed taste and goodness.

18. White Lily Cornbread

Cornbread is soft, sweet, and wholesome. It is also tender, crumbly, and warm. All these characteristics make the cornbread a perfect side dish for clam chowder.

You can either enjoy the cornbread and soup separately or dip the bread in your soup so you can taste a distinct flavor with every bite.

19. Avocado Corn Salad

We won't stop you if you want clam chowder during summer. However, when pairing the soup with a side, ensure to select a light and refreshing recipe only.

This avocado corn salad features healthy vegetables and a dressing to die for. Moreover, it doesn't require much time to make this dish and earn all the fantastic nutrients.

20. Breadsticks

Breadsticks are crispy, delicious, and, most importantly, remind you of your childhood. They are easy to make at home and smell as good as they taste.

In addition, breadsticks with clam chowder are a match made in heaven. They dip effortlessly in your soup and give you pleasure like no other.

Final Words

Your bowl of clam chowder doesn't have to be boring, especially when you want to enjoy this soup with your family and friends. This article features 20 different side dishes to pair with your soup. You can select one or go for more depending on your guests' number and appetites.

Whichever side dish/dishes you finalize, ensure that your choices taste great. In addition, spend a good time on your soup to achieve a perfectly creamy and smooth consistency.

Besides that, enjoy your meal with a big smile to feel each ingredient's flavor and benefits.

Best Side Dishes For Calm Chowder

1. Rosemary Bread
2. Gluten-free Bread
3. French Fries
4. Avocado Fries
5. Carrot Fries
6. Lentil Salad
7. Chicken Alfredo
8. Steamed Dumplings
9. Steamed Vegetables
10. Shrimp Boil
11. Grilled Corn on the Con
12. Oyster Crackers
13. Bacon
14. Cheesy Grilled Sandwiches
15. Sesame Cucumber Salad
16. Jiffy Cornbread Pancakes
17.  Bread Roll
18. White Lily Cornbread
19. Avocado Corn Salad
20. Breadsticks

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