A simple recipe for Salmon Chowder using fresh salmon that can be made in about 30 minutes on the stovetop. Looking for more? Check out our 25+ BEST Salmon Recipes and our 50+ Easy Dinner Ideas! ✨
As spring rounds the corner, baby potatoes will soon be abundant. This recipe for Salmon Chowder bridges the gap between seasons, using the last of winter’s fennel bulbs paired with new, thin-skinned potatoes. The addition of fennel and dill is a nod to my Finnish heritage, so it is not a traditional New England Chowder but tasty all the same. I’ve left the flour out, so it’s a bit lighter, thinner, and brothier, which feels a little more “springy” to me.
What I love about this recipe, besides how homey and comforting it is, is how easily adaptable it is- it can be made keto, or kept dairy-free, using coconut milk, depending on your needs. Use whole milk, half & half or heavy cream- you decide. If you want even more decadence, you may enjoy this Lobster Bisque Recipe.
Salmon Chowder Ingredients
- Fresh salmon, skinless, cut into 1 -2 inch pieces ( the more uniform, the better)
- Thin-skinned potatoes – Yukon golds, baby red potatoes, white potatoes, or fingerlings
- Milk– use whole milk, half and half, coconut milk (for a dairy-free version) or heavy cream.
- Fennel bulb – or feel free to use more celery.
- Celery
- Garlic and onion
- Olive oil or butter
- Vermouth, sherry wine or white wine (or just leave it out, see notes)
- Fish or chicken stock– if using chicken broth see notes, on how to enhance
- Seasonings: salt and pepper, fennel seeds (optional) dry or fresh thyme, thyme , bay leaf
- Garnish: fresh dill, fennel fronds, lemon wedges
How to make Salmon Chowder (instructions)
This Salmon Chowder starts with onion, garlic, fennel, and fresh salmon. You can also use leftover cooked salmon, or even hot smoked salmon.
New spring potatoes are sliced thinly- which will help the overall dish to cook more quickly.
Step 1: Saute the onion, garlic, and fennel; add the seasonings and broth to create a flavorful base for the potatoes to cook in. Add the sliced potatoes and simmer.
Step 2: Cut the salmon into pieces.
Step 3: Once the potatoes are tender, you’ll add milk, cream or coconut milk to the pot and bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Poach the salmon, right in the creamy broth. This will only take a couple of minutes before turning the heat off.
Step 5: Flake apart the fish with a fork and adjust seasonings to your liking.
Step 6: Add the fresh dill and serve immediately.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Leftovers will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop- I do not recommend microwaving.
Serve the Salmon Chowder with herby pea salad, or Spring Greens, and Sourdough bread, Leek bread, Savory Cheddar Scones, Rolls or Biscuits.
More Favorite Salmon and fish recipes!
- 25+ BEST Salmon Recipes!
- Miso Salmon Bowls
- Clam Chowder
- Blackened Salmon Sandwich
- Grilled Salmon Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Lobster Bisque
- 20 Healthy Fish and Seafood Recipes
- Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada)
- Brazilian Fish Stew (Moqueca!)
- Thai Fish Curry
- Summer Corn Chowder with Basil and White Fish
- Peruvian Seafood Stew with Cilantro Broth
Have a great week.
xoxo
Salmon Chowder Video
Simple Salmon Chowder
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: fish, stew, soup
- Method: stove-top
- Cuisine: Northwest
Description
A simple Salmon Chowder recipe using fresh salmon and fennel bulb, that can be made in about 30 minutes on the stovetop. Low carb, Keto and dairy-free adaptable!
Ingredients
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- 1 onion, diced (or sub 2 leeks, sliced or 2 fat shallots)
- 1 small fennel bulb, 1 1/2 cups diced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 2–4 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (dry, or 2 teaspoons fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup vermouth, cooking sherry or white wine (or leave it out, see notes)
- 3 cups fish or chicken stock- if using chicken broth see notes, on how to enhance
- 3/4 lb baby potatoes, thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lb salmon, skinless. (or ok to sub other fish like cod or shrimp), cut into 1 -2 inch pieces ( the more uniform, the better)
- 2 cups whole milk (or half & half or a combo, or dairy-free milk like coconut milk, or 1/2- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Garnish: fresh dill, lemon wedges, fennel frods, or tarragon.
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat, and saute onion, fennel and celery until fragrant, 5-6 minutes. Add garlic, fennel seeds, thyme and saute two more minutes, stirring. Add the smoked paprika.
- Add vermouth, and cook it off, about 1-2 minutes. Add stock, salt, and bay, and bring to a simmer over high heat. Add potatoes and stir. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer over med-low heat until tender, about 8-10 minutes (check at 7 mins, be careful to not overcook). While this is cooking prep the salmon.
- Cut salmon into 2-inch pieces, removing any of the brown fat ( see notes) and bones. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Once the potatoes are just fork-tender, add the milk and bring to a low simmer (do not boil) and add the salmon, gently poaching it in the soup for just about 2 minutes. Turn heat off. Fish will continue to cook. If you continue to simmer the soup any longer it may cause a slight curdling. ( Don’t worry, it’s still edible, but not as pretty.) Flake the fish apart, into bite-sized pieces, with a fork.
- Taste, adjust seasonings to your liking and serve immediately.
- Garnish with fresh dill and lemon wedges, or fennel frods, or fresh tarragon.
Notes
If using chicken stock, add 1 teaspoon fish sauce for depth. You can also sub some clam juice for the stock.
If skipping the vermouth or sherry cooking wine, which FYI does give this a lovely elevated nuanced flavor, add a couple of drops of AC vinegar at the end along with a pinch of sugar. Advanced cooks- you could experiment with Pernod (subbing it for the vermouth, starting with 2-3 tablespoons, making sure to cook this off) which will give it a beautiful anise flavor.
If you notice grey/brown fat located between the skin and salmon flesh, feel free to remove it -which ultimately will look better in the stew. If using wild salmon, it is ok to eat (healthy, actually) just not quite as “pretty”.
Keto option, sub potatoes with cauliflower. Use 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.
Dairy-Free option: add 1 cup of coconut milk, more to taste.
Want More Smokiness? Try subbing part of the fresh salmon with hot smoked salmon (don’t use lox) or feel free to add crumbled, browned bacon (3 slices should do it!)
Salmon Chowder will keep 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cup - using whole milk & olive oil
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 8.1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.7 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 24.1 g
- Cholesterol: 47.9 mg
Tonia, I’ve made this often for my husband and me. The addition of the smoked salmon takes it over the top. Awesome recipe and so easy to make. Freezes well, too.
Great to hear this Peggy!
I made this chowder for dinner tonight! Super easy and VERY flavorful. My husband and daughter loved it. It will be a repeat for sure. Great weeknight meal as it was super quick to put together but tastes like you slaved over the stove all day. Thank you again for another delicious recipe. We use your recipes every single week and haven’t had a bad one yet. We make them many times over. So grateful for your blog.
Aww..thanks so much Diana, really appreciate that you took the time to let us know!
Excellent! Will make again. Made with 1 cup cashew cream, 1 cup oat milk, homemade chicken broth + 1T. fish sauce, sherry, loads of fresh dill from the garden. So good!!!
Sounds perfect!
Made this tonight with coconut milk and it was a big hit! Great flavors and so much lighter than a “regular” chowder. Thank you for another winning recipe.
Glad to hear this Deb!
As an Alaskan, I can’t help but advocate for wild salmon only. Farmed salmon is beyond the pale. Thank you for your consistently excellent recipes. You are a rock star!
Wild salmon is definitely our first choice!
I served this to company and it received great praise all around. Simple and delicious.
So happy you all enjoyed!
Could I use canned wild salmon
Hey Valerie- I don’t think you’ll get that same fresh flavor, but up to you. I have not tired it with canned salmon.
I usually don’t give reviews but this one is so good! I followed the recipe except that I used dry sherry instead and frozen salmon. I topped it off with some white pepper for some heat.
So great to hear this Hana!
I love this recipe. Keep going back to it !
Glad you are enjoying!
This was so good! I highly recommend using the fennel seeds, I also used heavy cream, it doesn’t need much. Perfect anytime!
Thanks so much!
I’d give it 6 stars if I could. Super easy and delicious. I added more broth, as well as more veggies – a few heads of fresh spinach. Thanks!
Thanks Nancy!
Love this recipe, will definitely make again. I substituted coconut milk, not too heavy and full of flavor.
Oh nice! That sounds great.
Very delicious! My first time using fennel and it’s a nice change of flavor. I like the mild crunch of the vegetables. How does it do if frozen?
So glad you enjoyed Maria! It should freeze well.