5 Best Clam Chowders In A Can of 2024
Clam chowder is a classic American soup that takes a bit of culinary skill to make. There are several different ways to make clam chowder and all of them are ultimately creamy, flavorful, and delicious!
We love to make our own but sometimes you just need a quick solution for a last-minute meal (or lazy day) that you can heat up and eat as fast as you can say it.
One great way to enjoy clam chowder is straight out of a can!
Buying canned anything can be challenging because you want to know that your choice will taste great and not be completely unhealthy in the end.
What is the best clam chowder in a can? The best canned clam chowders have a rich flavor and creamy texture and taste like homemade clam chowder. Look for options that balance sodium and preservatives with other flavors and ingredients.
In this guide, we will share with you our top 5 picks for the best clam chowder in a can. We found some really great options and we’re excited to share them with you so you can stock up your pantry and have yummy clam chowder on hand in your pantry.
Keep reading to learn the 5 best clam chowders in a can!
How to Choose the Best Clam Chowder in a Can
Before we turn you loose into our top picks, we wanted to share with you some tips on choosing a good clam chowder in a can. Obviously, there are many options out there and they can all be very different across the board.
Buying anything canned can be a challenge. It’s not like you can taste or even see what you’re getting before you open it up. That’s why we’re here to help.
If you’re on the hunt for the best, keep these considerations in mind when you make a decision.
Flavor
It can sometimes be hard to tell from a label whether or not the flavor is going to be grand. You can certainly check out reviews of previous buyers and look at those details.
You can also take a look at the general information or even stick with a brand you know if that is reassuring to you.
Flavor is important. The good news is, you can always add a little bit of salt, pepper, and a dash of parsley of your own if you have to. Rest assured, all of the options in our reviews have delightful flavor!
Ingredients
The ingredients are another important factor to consider. Since this clam chowder is in a can, you will expect to see some preservation ingredients in the clam chowder.
But that doesn’t mean that it has to be unhealthy or that you have to worry about a bunch of extra additives that just aren’t necessary.
Pay close attention to the ingredient label and watch for things that may concern or you or shouldn’t really be there.
Can Size
Finally, you may want to keep in mind your can size as you make a decision. Will you be eating a can by yourself? Does a can have multiple servings in it? How many people are you feeding with the can?
Can you buy your favorite clam chowder in bulk so you have multiple cans in your pantry? This is a matter of preference based on your needs but it is something you will want to keep in mind as you make a decision.
The 5 Best Clam Chowders in a Can
Whether you want an option that has added veggies or a non-GMO selection, there are several really great items you will find here.
So here are our top 5 picks, the best clam chowders in a can:
| Rank | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Campbell’s Chunky Clam Chowder | Thick New England style |
| 2. | Progresso Traditional Clam Chowder | New England style |
| 3. | Campbell’s Slow Kettle Clam Chowder | Creamy New England style |
| 4. | Le Gout New England Clam Chowder | Condensed, thick |
| 5. | Bar Harbor Clam Chowder | All-natural, condensed |
We have more information about each of these delicious chowders below. Be sure to check them out, so you, too, can have a great clam chowder to try!
1. Campbell’s Chunky New England Clam Chowder
We all know Campbell’s as a household soup name. This particular line is mostly soups that are made to be hearty and flavorful.
Campbell’s chunky makes “soup that eats like a meal.” They are hearty and full of ingredients rather than just being mostly broth. They have plenty of meat, potatoes, and filling and nutritious ingredients.
This option from Campbell’s contains 12 grams of protein per can. Each can holds 2 servings as well or 1 over-sized serving. The servings are 180 calories each so you will want to keep that in mind.
The sodium levels are reasonable considering the natural sodium and the canning process. This soup does not make any promises about non-GMO or anything along those lines but it does not contain artificial colors.
This particular listing comes in a 12-pack of cans.
Pros:
- Hearty and flavorful
- Can contains 2 servings
- High in protein
- Heats easily with no water needed
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- This is hearty with potatoes but pretty limited on the amount of clams in the chowder.
- Many online purchasers receive damaged cans.
2. Progresso Traditional New England Clam Chowder
Next on our list is another classic brand that many of us are familiar with.
The Progresso name has been giving us canned soups for many years and this is another really great option.
You can purchase this chowder in a single can or in packs of 2, 3, or even 12. These gluten-free soups are approximately 170 calories per serving. The sodium content is a bit higher than Campbell’s Chunky, with 830 mg of sodium per serving.
There are no artificial flavors in this selection. Another thing we want to point out is that this option does not have any added MSG, which is a great point! Made in the USA, Progresso has been serving soup for over 100 years.
Pros:
- Ready to serve from the can with no water added
- No MSG added to the ingredients
- No artificial flavors added
- Reasonable calorie measurements per serving
- Easy-open pop-top cans
Cons:
- The flavor is slightly bland and may need some additional seasoning, but this also makes it an easy base to customize.
- The soup is a bit on the watery side.
3. Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style New England Clam Chowder
If you want something that comes in a bowl ready to heat and serve, this is a great option. This New England clam chowder is thick and hearty.
This option from Campbell’s is a single serving and it’s perfect for lunch at work or on the go when you need a quick and easy solution.
The bowl is designed like a can but you remove the pop-top and then you can heat it up in the microwave-safe bowl and vented lid. A single bowl is a serving and it is about 350 calories as a serving.
These do have GMO products so that is something to be aware of. The sodium content is also a little on the high side if eating the entire bowl as a serving.
This contains pre-simmered and prepared chowder with clams, potatoes, cream, celery, and bacon.
Pros:
- Made with authentic ingredients
- Comes in a single-serve bowl that can be microwaved
- Does not contain any added preservatives
- Creamy and flavorful
- A large serving (be aware of serving sizes)
Cons:
- The soup is not overly thick and slightly watery.
- Uses clam broth with very few minced clams added.
4. Le Gout New England Clam Chowder
This option is slightly different than the others we’ve shared but still a great option.
It’s a bit on the pricy side but it is one of the highest-rated options on the market for clam chowder.
This is a condensed soup so it will be creamy and thick with plenty of ingredients but it won’t be overly chunky.
This offers a nice spin on clam chowder in a condensed version. It has a generous allowance of clams in it, which may account for the higher price. The clams and potatoes stand out to make this creamy clam soup.
You can use this as a stand-alone or pair it with something else to make it heartier. You can even add your own veggies and additions if you want to.
This is a high-quality option. The calories are reasonable and the sodium is about the same as its competitors.
Pros:
- Created as a condensed soup instead of chunky
- Full of both clams and potatoes
- Reasonable calories and sodium levels
- Premium option with premium ingredients
- Natural flavor and not a ton of additives
Cons:
- Problems with some shipped cans being damaged.
5. Bar Harbor Clam Chowder
Here is another really great option for you before we wrap up our reviews! This option comes from a brand that isn’t widely known but the ingredients and the ratings really speak for themselves.
This clam chowder in a can has no artificial preservatives, no MSG, and no trans-fat!
The ingredients list is pretty basic and also notes that the ingredients are non-GMO. This is an all-natural condensed soup so it is flavorful and has plenty of clam and potatoes but is not loaded and chunky.
The calories are nice and low and this even has lower sodium than most of the competitor options.
This is made in the USA. You can microwave it or heat it in a pan on the stove. The clams used are caught fresh in Maine as well. This is delicious and high-quality.
Pros:
- Made in the USA with clams caught in Maine
- Ingredients are all-natural
- No artificial additives or MSG
- Easy to heat up
- Condensed soup with minimal chunks
Cons:
- You may need to add some of your own veggies or even bacon to get this to taste.
- Heavy on the potatoes
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