Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
Get It NowWith 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 store-bought or homemade 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.
If you prefer a different kind of clam chowder altogether, try Manhattan clam chowder from Low Carb Maven. It has a tomato base instead.
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?
Tools To Make Low Carb Clam Chowder
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Cookware Set – If you are in need of a great cookware set, you should get this one. It includes the perfect sized pot for making this delicious keto soup recipe.
- Silicone Cooking Utensils – These cooking utensils are my favorites. They are high heat resistant and BPA free.

Keto Clam Chowder
This easy, low carb keto clam chowder recipe is creamy and healthy at the same time. Ready in just 15 minutes, with only 5 ingredients!
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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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.
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Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until cauliflower is tender.
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Stir in the heavy cream. Heat just enough for the soup to be hot again.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya's Recipe Notes
- 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.
Serving size: 1 cup
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
Add Your Notes Your Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We'd LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Gluten-Free Low Carb Clam Chowder

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87 Comments
Jerry Franklin
0Can I substitute coconut milk in place of almond milk? Can’t have nuts.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jerry, Yes, you definitely can!
Lauren
0This was so dang tasty! I did add in a couple of ingredients though. Bacon, 1/4 onion and 2 stalks of celery. Know it ups the carb count a little bit but its nutritious and delicious! Can’t wait to make this again for sure <333
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for sharing your additions, Lauren! I am so happy you liked it!
LeAnne
0If I purée it, do I take out the clams first? Thanks!
Daphne
0Clams get rubbery if cooked too long. I always add them last and just let them heat up, not cook.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi LeAnne, Yes, I probably would.
Anne Everett
0This sounds great but I can’t use almond milk. Any idea what I could substitute?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Anne, Heavy cream, half & half, or coconut cream should all work.
Brian
0Maya, would coconut milk substantially change the flavor? I definitely don’t want it tasting coconutty, but I would like to up the fat and thicken it more.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Brian, Usually coconut milk has a light coconut flavor so it may change the flavor of the soup.
Anne Everett
0Thanks Maya!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0You are welcome, Anne!
Sonya
0What’s the serving size?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sonya, The serving size is 1/6 of the recipe.
Annie M.
0I made it with clam juice instead of chicken broth, used the coconut cream substitution for heavy cream, added 1/2 cup celery, and puréed some of the cauliflower to thicken the base a bit, as suggested. It is fabulous!!! My BF and I like it even more than “traditional” NE Clam Chowder.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Annie!
Kelsey
0I used the puree method you recommended and it worked great! Thanks so much!
Kelsey
0I just made this – the flavor is awesome, but my soup came out thin. Did I miss something, or is there something I can do to thicken it up at this point?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kelsey, I’m glad you liked the flavor! This version does come out a little thinner than some clam chowders, but should still be creamy. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can puree some of it (both the cream/broth base and the cauliflower) at the end, then return the puree to the rest of the soup. You could also whisk in a teaspoon of arrowroot powder or 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum, then simmer more until it thickens. I added these notes to the recipe card, too.
Katrin
0This soup looks absolutely delicious. This is a must try!
Kim | Low Carb Maven
0I love how easy this recipe is and the photos are beautiful. Thanks for the great recipe.
Georgina
0LOVE clam chowder! And love how easy this looks to make!
Sarah
0I love how simple your recipes are to follow! We finally dipped below zero here in Montana this week – so cold, but the snow is gorgeous!