5-Ingredient Low Carb Clam Chowder (Gluten-free)

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With the holiday season in full swing, you must be up to your ears right now in cookies and treats. As much as I’m enjoying them too, it’s nice to have healthy meals sprinkled in there. Your body just feels so much better when you do! At this time of year, what better way to do that than with a big bowl of soup? This gluten-free, low carb clam chowder recipe is my latest favorite.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been craving more comforting soups as the days get colder. This is the first week that temperatures have dropped below zero (Fahrenheit). No matter how many years I live in Minnesota, I’m never ready for the sudden jolt each year when this happens. Whether we like it or not, it’s finally (unfortunately) starting to actually feel like winter around here.

To put it lightly, winter and I have never been friends. You’d think a girl that grew up in Minnesota would be more accustomed to it, but nope. It doesn’t help that most of the best fresh produce is out of season, either. All I want to do is curl up under a blanket and hibernate until spring comes!

Tempting as that may be, my way to make the most of it is a warm bowl of soup. Even better when it’s a warm bowl of creamy, New England clam chowder. Which may or may not be followed by a cup of fancy low carb hot chocolate by the crackling fireplace.

This low carb clam chowder recipe is one of the easiest recipes I have ever posted on the blog. Five ingredients and fifteen minutes are all it takes to make it! And, it’s a one-pot recipe, which equals convenience. Seriously, it doesn’t get any easier than this. When you’re tired of all the holiday baking and just want a soothing, healthy meal on a weeknight, this is the one.

The secret to this gluten-free clam chowder is making one of my favorite healthy, low carb swaps… Substituting cauliflower for white potatoes! The cauliflower provides a similar smooth, starchy texture and easily takes on the flavors of any dish without overpowering it. Since clam chowder is one of my favorite soups, it comes as no surprise that I decided to create a healthier version of it using cauliflower.

Aside from cauliflower, and of course clams, the bulk of the soup is comprised of chicken broth, unsweetened almond milk, and heavy cream. This surprisingly simple combination creates a deliciously creamy base. No thickeners required!

By the way, the ingredients are easy enough to customize if you have any food intolerances. It’s already a low carb and gluten-free clam chowder recipe to begin with, but you can address others, too. A paleo (or whole 30) version would simply replace the heavy cream with coconut cream. If you have a nut allergy, the unsweetened almond milk could be swapped with coconut milk, or regular dairy milk if you don’t mind the extra carbs.

I’ll definitely be making this low carb clam chowder all through the winter. It’s perfect to incorporate into lighter dinners now, but I know people will love it even more come January, when clean eating is fresh on everyone’s mind. Either way, this creamy soup is light enough to make your body feel good and soothing enough to feel like a satisfying treat.

Who knew a healthy clam chowder could be so simple and taste so good?

5-Ingredient Low Carb Clam Chowder (Gluten-free):
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5-Ingredient Low Carb Clam Chowder (Gluten-free)

This easy, gluten-free, low carb clam chowder recipe is creamy and healthy at the same time. Ready in just 15 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.

Servings	Prep Time	Cook Time
servings	5 minutes	15 minutes

5-Ingredient Low Carb Clam Chowder (Gluten-free) This easy, gluten-free, low carb clam chowder recipe is creamy and healthy at the same time. Ready in just 15 minutes, with only 5 ingredients. Servings Prep Time Cook Time servings 5 minutes 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 6.5-oz cans Clams (chopped finely, liquid retained)
• 1 lb Cauliflower (florets only, cut in small pieces)
• 1 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk
• 1 1/2 cup Chicken broth
• 1 cup Heavy cream (or coconut cream for paleo/dairy-free)
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (or more to taste)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except heavy cream, in a large pot. (Make sure you pour the retained liquid from the clams in there, too.) Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until cauliflower is tender.
3. Stir in the heavy cream. Heat just enough for the soup to be hot again.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 228 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 16g 25%

Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 4g

Protein 12g 24%

Vitamin A 18%

Vitamin C 131%

Calcium 20%

Iron 52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Net carbs per serving: 7g

*Recipe is five ingredients not including salt and pepper.

**If you prefer a thicker soup, you can puree part of it (including the base and cauliflower pieces), then return to the pot. Alternatively, you can whisk in a thickener like 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum or 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder, then simmer until thickened.

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Want more low carb, gluten-free ideas for soup? Try these:

5-Ingredient Roasted Tomato Soup (Low Carb, Gluten-free)

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup (Low Carb, Gluten-free)

Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe - 5 Ingredients