Name: Codfish Chowder
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 8 slices bacon, diced; 1 large onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced; salt and ground black pepper to taste; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1.5 tablespoons seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®); 1 (16 ounce) can chicken broth; 3 red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 4 ears sweet corn, shucked and kernels cut off; 0.5 cup water, or as needed to cover; 2 cups whole milk, or more as needed; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 pound thick cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

8 slices bacon, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoons seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)
1 (16 ounce) can chicken broth
3 red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 ears sweet corn, shucked and kernels cut off
cup water, or as needed to cover (Optional)
2 cups whole milk, or more as needed
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound thick cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

In a large soup pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy and browned, approximately 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pot.
Add diced onion and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in chopped garlic and seafood seasoning. Continue to cook and stir for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Pour in the chicken broth, then add the diced potatoes and corn kernels. If needed, add water to ensure the vegetables are covered. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Stir in the milk and butter until the butter has melted and incorporated smoothly into the soup.
Return the reserved bacon to the pot, stirring it in with the rest of the ingredients.
Bring the soup back to a simmer. Stir in the cod fillet pieces and chopped parsley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fish flakes easily, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 408
Total Fat: 25g (32% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 10g (49% Daily Value)
Cholesterol: 78mg (26% Daily Value)
Sodium: 1206mg (52% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate: 23g (8% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber: 3g (11% Daily Value)
Total Sugars: 8g
Protein: 24g (48% Daily Value)
Vitamin C: 36mg (39% Daily Value)
Calcium: 118mg (9% Daily Value)
Iron: 1mg (7% Daily Value)
Potassium: 689mg (15% Daily Value)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments

Michele B

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I made this chowder and it was such a hit with my guests that I am making it again this week for a new round of dinner guests. Just serve it with crusty bread and salad and it makes a great meal!

ginaheverett

05/14/2017 04:59:44 PM

We will definitely make this again. We had fresh trout that we used in lieu of cod and it was so delectable that we almost finished the pot. Just before serving we checked our traps and added fresh blue crabs (we live in FLA.) This made it even more decadent. It is not too rich... just right for a satisfying and totally spectacular meal. If you invite company you had better double the recipe because it is bowl licking good!

Norma Horan

07/17/2015 11:16:32 AM

Although the flavor was terrific, we like our chowder a bit thicker, so I will probably make a roux next time. I did not have any white potatoes, so I used sweet potatoes and it turned out great. Also - I set aside the bacon until I was ready to serve the chowder, crisped it for a few secs in the microwave, crumbled it, and used it as a garnish on top. Excellent recipe!

Jarrett McDowell

11/28/2020 02:33:05 PM

This dish was delicious. I used hake instead of cod. Instead of 2 c of milk, I used 1c milk and 1c half and half. Both were lactose free and I didn't add any butter. I also poured some extra milk and mixed it with about a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the chowder a little bit. I didn't add any corn because I didn't have any but it was delicious!!!

RWH

12/20/2017 12:06:12 AM

Love this chowder! Made several times last winter while the wife and I fought off a cold. 2nd time we increased Cod and decreased redskin potatoes. 3rd time we went 3 lbs. Cod and one potato - our favorite version. Key too is making sure bacon's crispy, this minimizes it from re-hydrating. So good!!!

Lyman

08/21/2012 09:49:43 AM

I tried it and I like it. I used half and half instead of whole milk and I spiced it with a very few drops of Paula Deen's Hot Wing Sauce. I like celery and so added a bit, chopped up, at the end to give it a little crunch. Delicious meal.

Val

10/03/2021 06:41:50 PM

Loved this recipe! The only changes I made were to add a few teaspoons of cooking sherry and I also added some cornmeal to thicken as suggested by another reviewer. Will definitely make this again.

Julie L.

07/25/2016 05:26:34 PM

Loved it! But did also thinly slice and sauté a half of a large fennel bulb along with the onion to round it out. The Old Bay really gives it just the right amount of kick. It has become a family favorite!

HowRadB

03/07/2025 01:19:21 AM

I only found tilapia and that worked fine. Also, I find vegetable stock is more tasty than chicken broth so I used that too. Otherwise, YUM! Perfect rainy day dinner.

Allua

10/02/2017 04:12:28 AM

Absolutely delicious! Big hit. I added 1 cup of cornmeal with the potatoes to give it a nice thickness.

HNECKONE

11/08/2014 02:08:14 PM

This is my first attempt at a fish chowder and I'm very pleased. I didn't have any cod so I used a combo of salmon and scallops. I didn't have fresh parsley so I used dried parsley and added it with the Old Bay. Also, I didn't add any salt since I used bouillon & water instead of canned broth and it was plenty salty. This is excellent--very hearty and filling. I will definitely make this again.

Cynthia Brown

09/24/2024 04:34:26 PM

So simple but tastes like it took hours.

Brad Buffett

07/09/2020 07:19:06 PM

I added smokey mojo and smoked spanish papkira to the start of the recipe.

J of the 3Js

01/23/2020 08:23:37 PM

Delicious!

Gayla

03/06/2019 12:40:45 AM

Excellent, didn’t change a thing, everyone had two bowlfuls. I made a double recipe and used two lbs of wild cod.

Oatesy

02/03/2019 03:13:03 PM

Excellent recipe as it is. Flavorful and just plain good for you.

SeaAngel

02/01/2017 12:17:17 AM

My husband and I loved this!! I made my own "Old Bay Seasoning" and I think it was saltier than expected, so I will be careful with that next time. It is a great way to get people to eat fish when they usually don't like it! My husband said I can make this again anytime.

Carmen McArthur

10/29/2016 12:23:26 AM

Enjoyed making this quick and delicious chowdah!!!!

Barbara Bishop

09/30/2016 11:19:33 PM

This is definitely my go to chowder, being from N.E. I know a good chowder when I taste one. I did not change a thing, it was fantastic. Will be making this often. I will be inviting neighbors next time I make this!