History

New England clam chowder arrived in Santa Barbara via the fishing community's connections to East Coast and Pacific Northwest seafood traditions. Brophy Bros. opened on the harbour in 1986 under the Bennett family and made the chowder a signature from the first service. The dish has won multiple Santa Barbara chowder contest titles and is the most-ordered item on the menu.

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Common allergens: Shellfish, Dairy, Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 30 minTotal 50 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 3 cans (6.5oz each) chopped clams, juice reserved separately
  • 4 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups clam juice (reserved plus bottled if needed)
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced to 1/2 inch
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • Oyster crackers or sourdough to serve

Method

  1. Cook bacon in a heavy pot over medium heat until the fat renders but the bacon is not yet crisp. Remove bacon, leaving the fat in the pot.
  2. Add onion and celery and cook 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Scatter flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  4. Add clam juice gradually, whisking to prevent lumps. Add bay leaves and thyme.
  5. Add diced potatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are just tender.
  6. Add cream and milk. Return to a gentle simmer but do not boil.
  7. Add clams and reserved bacon. Simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.
  8. Remove bay leaves. Serve with oyster crackers.

Tip from the editors. Do not boil the cream after adding it; aggressive heat breaks the emulsion and produces a grainy texture. A gentle simmer is the maximum from this point.

Where to eat santa barbara new england clam chowder

Santa Barbara New England Clam Chowder in Santa Barbara

Brophy Bros. ★ 3.9

$$$ SeafoodHarbor

Third-generation family seafood house on the harbour dock since 1986. Award-winning clam chowder, garlic clams, bar overlooking the marina. No reservations.

SignatureNew England clam chowder, Garlic baked clams, Oysters on the half shell

Directions

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company ★ 3.8

$$ SeafoodStearns Wharf

Fish-shack counter at the tip of Stearns Wharf since 1980. Same-day-landed Channel crab, sea urchin, and shellfish on a communal outdoor deck with bay views.

SignatureFresh sea urchin, Steamed rock crab, Lobster bisque

Directions

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