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Local Reporter Dishes on the Best Canned Clam Chowder for Your Next Rainy Day
Ah, clam chowder. The ultimate comfort food, especially when the weather takes a turn. While nothing quite beats a steaming bowl from a quaint dockside eatery (unless you happen to live in a postcard-perfect New England town, that is!), for the rest of us, the grocery store aisle offers a surprisingly satisfying alternative.
Our team decided to dive spoon-first into six popular brands of New England clam chowder, ranking them from top-tier to “maybe next time” to help you navigate your next craving for that creamy, briny goodness. Please note that prices and availability can vary by location and are subject to change.
Best: Trader Joe’s New England Clam Chowder
Found for $4.99 at Trader Joe’s
Leave it to Trader Joe’s to surprise us again! This unexpected winner from their refrigerated soup lineup truly stood out.
Our taste-tester noted it felt less like a canned soup and more like something from a bona fide restaurant. It strikes a perfect balance—not overly creamy, expertly seasoned, and generously packed with full pieces of clam, a delightful departure from the usual chopped bits found in many other brands.
Trader Joe’s, you’ve done it again!
2. Bar Harbor New England Clam Chowder
Found for $6.99 at World Market
Now, for a confession: our taste-tester got a little adventurous (and perhaps a little low on milk) when preparing this one. After a few rounds of “mostly mediocre” chowders, the call was made to ditch the dairy and lean into a generous stick of butter for thickening, as the can even suggested!
And, oh boy, did it pay off. The result was a rich, unbelievably delicious chowder that had our tester momentarily forgetting about the clams and potatoes, lost instead in the pure, unadulterated joy of butter.
Sometimes, the simplest “secrets” are the best!
3. Snow’s New England Clam Chowder
Found for $3.49 at Albertson’s
Snow’s also impressed with its quality, offering whole clam chunks and hearty potatoes that tasted remarkably fresh for a canned option. However, a word to the wise: be mindful of the milk!
Even when using less than recommended, our tester found it leaned a little too milky. Perhaps a certain stick of butter (see above) could resolve this dilemma?
Our reviewer might just be developing a new preferred method…
4. Campbell’s Chunky New England Clam Chowder
Found for $2.26 at Walmart
For a no-fuss, readily available option, Campbell’s Chunky hits the mark. True to its name, this chowder boasts impressively massive potato pieces and heartier clams compared to its non-chunky counterpart. It’s a solid, straightforward choice that delivers on its promise of a hearty meal.
5. Campbell’s New England Clam Chowder
Found for $8.99 at Walmart
Unless you have an aversion to larger bites, our take is that the Chunky version is the clear winner between the two Campbell’s options. This standard offering was found to be smaller in portion and noticeably blander. If you’re not a fan of creamy soups or the taste of clams, perhaps another dinner choice is in order tonight!
6. Progresso New England Clam Chowder
Found for $2.18 at Walmart
Rounding out our list is Progresso, which, while perfectly acceptable, didn’t exactly excite the palate. It was described as bland and a touch boring, featuring the smallest chopped clams of the bunch.
The potatoes were also noted to be starchier than Campbell’s, and there was a generous amount of cream. While it might do in a pinch if it’s the only can left in the pantry, a little extra effort could yield a more satisfying bowl.