Instant Pot /Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder, a delicious Keto and Weight Watchers Friendly, Gluten Free, Low Calorie restaurant quality soup
Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder
That’s not Potatoes you see in the photo!!!!
Nope, this Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder is totally Low Carb, Gluten Free, Weight Watchers Approved, Low Calorie and it tastes delicious.
Seriously, this is the best Manhattan Clam Chowder I have ever had.
The best part? Well, it is super easy to make in a Pressure Cooker.
Cast of Ingredients or Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder
My Manhattan Clam Chowder is probably different from what you are used to getting at a restaurant or in a can.
I’ve made it super healthy and super delicious. Turnips and Radish replace the Potatoes.
Trust me, you will NOT miss the Potatoes. Have you tried my Pressure Cooker Ameriana Wedding Soup?
How about my Low Carb Air Fryer Hash Brown Radishes?
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What Vegetables are in Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder?
- Carrots
- Celery
- Leeks
- Red Pepper
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
Add Chopped Bacon to Pressure Cooker
While your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker is heating, chop up the vegetables.
Most of the vegetables are diced to about the same size. The celery should be finely diced.
It is always important when using a Stainless Steel cooking pot to wait for the pot to heat up completely before adding a fat. Doing so will make the cooking pot, non stick..
Spread the Bacon to a Single Layer
Leave the Bacon alone and let it render.
Depending on how fatty the Bacon is, will determine if you will need to dump out some of the fat.
Use a Spatula to Scrape the Bottom of the Pot
When the Bacon begins to turn brown, use a High Temperature Spatula and scrape the brown bits from the bottom.
If you use regular Bacon, it will render quickly.
Thicker Bacon, like in the photo, will take a bit longer.
Sauté the Aromatics
I forgot to take a photo of when I added the Celery, Carrots, Red Pepper and Leaks.
I wanted to show you the discoloration on the bottom of the cooking pot from cooking the Bacon.
As the Vegetables begin to soften, they will release water.
Once that happens, it very easy to use your High Temperature Spatula and scrape the bottom of the pot and deglaze it, so that nothing is stuck and the pot returns to it’s clean and shiny state.
Add Seasonings
What Seasonings are in Manhattan Clam Chowder?
Well, my version is different than any version I have seen.
So, these are some of the seasonings that I use. Remember, the veggies also add a particular flavor.
Once the Veggies are beginning to soften, add in all the Seasonings.
Sauté the Garlic and Spices
As you Sauté the Minced Garlic with the Seasonings, the liquid will start to evaporate.
You’ll smell the yummy Garlic, in about about a minute. The veggies will now have a syrupy texture to them and look delicious.
Pour in all the Clam Juice, Tomatoes and Turnips and Radishes
Pour in the all the Clam Juice from the Cans of Chopped Clams. There will be about eight ounces of yummy Juice. You’ll need about 16 more ounces of Clam Juice. It is sold in bottles.
If you cannot find bottled Clam Juice, you can use Better than Bouillon Clam Base, mixed with Fresh Water to equal 16 ounces.
The Diced Tomatoes add nice texture to the Manhattan Clam Chowder.
The Crushed Tomatoes will break a part and add to the thickness of the Chowder. If you want a less tomato-y Chowder, just use more Diced Tomatoes instead of Crushed. Tomato Paste adds a deeper flavor to the Soup.
In the case of canned Tomatoes, brand does matter, so get the best brand that you can afford.
Finally, Add the Bay Leaves
A great substitute for Potatoes in Soup are Turnips and Radishes.
It may sound weird, but I promise you that when you cook Radish, it loses the bitter and spicy taste.
Caramelized and not Dried Out
Radishes kind of takes on the taste of whatever you are cooking.
In this moist environment, they will be the texture of a parsnip/carrot, but without the starch.
The Turnips taste sort of like ‘clean’ Potatoes. Smoother, but not mushy.
If you want to use only Turnips and no Radish, it’s fine. Just dice up the whole Turnip in that case.
Open Lid after Pressure Release
I am so exited for you to try this Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder.
It’s one of those soups, where the Potatoes are really quite key.
So, this Low Carb, Low Calorie version will be such a treat.
For another Seafood recipe, try my Pressure Cooker Seafood Corn Chowder.
Mix in the Clams and Parsley
Chopped Clams are what used.
I you want to throw in fresh Clams too, that is great and will add a nice flavor.
Add them in after Pressure Release and Simmer, until the Shells open.
I added both, but wrote the recipe for Canned Chopped Clams, since they are so easy to source.
Filled with Yumminess
Tons of good veggies and Clams in this Chowder.
Watch the video below as I walk you through every step and detail of this recipe. I’ve given you a ton of information above, but sometimes a live visual of the process helps so you can follow along. I have my own cooking show on my YouTube Channel, so be sure to check it out and subscribe
Watch my video and then scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card.
You can easily make this Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder a main course.
For another delicious meal, try my Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash and Meat Sauce recipe. The raw Squash cooks right in the same pot with the Meat Sauce!
Instant Pot Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder
I would love to hear your feedback on this recipe.
It is one that I am very proud of, as I achieved my goal of making a delicious soup that is not only healthy, it is Low Carb, Weight Watchers Friendly, Slimming World Friendly, Low Calorie and Gluten Free!
Feel free to comment below and share this recipe with all your friends and groups!!
More Low Carb Soup Recipes to Make:
- Instant Pot Chicken Jalapeno Popper Soup (Pressure Cooker)
- Instant Pot Low Carb Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
- Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Italian Soup
- Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Low Carb Keto
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Culina Stackable (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
- di Oro Living Silicone Spatulals Set
- Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
- Canned Chopped Clams
- Bottled Clam Juice
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If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!
Here is your handy printable recipe:
Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder
Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- 4 strips Bacon chopped
- 3 large Carrots diced
- 3 stalks Fresh Celery finely diced
- 1 Red Pepper cleaned and diced
- 4 cloves Fresh Garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste or more to taste
- 1.5 teaspoons Ground Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 3/4 cup Fresh Leeks diced
- 3/4 cup Turnip peeled and diced/cubed
- 10 Radishes trimmed and quartered
- 16 ounces Clam Juice
- 28 ounce Diced Tomatoes w/Juice canned
- 15 ounce Crushed Tomatoes (San Marzano) (not puree)
- 1.5 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 3-6.5oz cans Chopped Clams chopped
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley chopped
Recommended Products
Instructions
- Dice and cut all veggies and place Carrots, Celery and Red Pepper in one bowl and place Leeks, Turnips and Radish in a second Bowl. Set aside.
- Drain and separate Clams from Clam Juice and place Clams in refrigerator for later. Reserve Clam Juice.
- Select Sauté or Browning on Pressure Cooker and wait for Pot to fully heat.
- Add Chopped Bacon to cooking pot. Spread evenly across the bottom of the pot and allow to render, untouched for a couple of minutes.
- Once Bacon Fat has begun to turn brown, stir and scrape bits off bottom of pot. Carefully pour out a little Bacon Fat, leaving about 2 Tablespoons in the cooking pot.
- Add Leeks, Carrots and Peppers to cooking pot and adjust Sauté to High. As veggies begin to release water, use your Spatula to deglaze cooking pot, so that nothing is stuck on the bottom. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
- Add Minced Garlic, Sambal Oelek Chili Paste, Oregano, Thyme and Salt. Sauté for another minute, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the seasonings are fully incorporated.
- Pour in reserved Clam Juice and both bottles of Clam Juice, Diced Tomatoes, Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste. Stir to incorporate.
- Add in Radishes, Turnips and Bay Leaves to the cooking pot.
- Lock on Lid and close Pressure Valve. Cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes. When Beep sounds, wait at least 15 minutes and then slowly release the rest of the pressure.
- Remove Lid and stir in Parsley and Clams.
- Place in bowls and serve with a sprinkle of Grated Parmesan Cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin it Pressure Cooker Low Carb Manhattan Clam Chowder
I loved your recipe. However there is a mistake in your directions. You say to put the leeks, turnips and radishes in one bowl. But then the leeks are to be sautéed with the carrots and pepper. I had trouble separating the leeks from the turnips and radishes so they could be sautéed. Other than that, it is a great recipe!
This soup was awesome! I I initially had my doubts because of the turnips and radishes (which I have never used isn’t 40-plus years of cooking). But the radishes blended in nicely and my husband did not realize I had used turnips rather than potatoes. I did not have the chili paste so I used red pepper. This recipe is a keeper!
I want to try to make this soup, how many carbs per serving and how many servings? Thank you
Hi Danny. I added that info to the recipe card. Hope it helps and enjoy! Jill
Hi Jill,
This recipe looks fantastic and I want to make it this week. Very important question, though. It’s just my husband and me, so can this Chowder be frozen and still maintain its yummy taste and “mouth feel?”
Thanks for another great recipe! I put it out on my Face Book just now!
Yes, you can freeze. Jill
I almost cried when I tasted this. It’s that good!! Thank you, Jill!!
Thank you, Deb. Jill
I almost cried when I tasted this. It’s that good!! Thank you, Jill.
Another winner of a recipe!!!
Thank you, Paul. Jill
Thanks for sharing! I made this for dinner tonight and fooled my husband with the turnips. The chowder was delicious!
I am so glad this was a hit! Jill
A question, have you tried this using just turnip but no radish? Thanks!
Simply superb!! I chose to omit potatoes as well as their substitutes – radishes and turnips.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Dana. Jill
My husband raved about this soup.
How many people does the clam chowder serve?
Probably six people. Jill
Question: In the beginning of your photo step-by-step description above, you mention the seasonings you like to use in this recipe, one of which, Sea Salt. However, in the actual recipe, Sea Salt is not listed…actually, no salt is listed. Is this a mistake? If so, how much Sea Salt is needed for this recipe. Making it tonight cuz Manhattan Clam Chowder is my FAV!!!
Donna, thank you for noticing. I have just added it. Enjoy. Jill
This looks wonderful…..cannot wait to try it. We just started a low card meal plan so this sounds perfect! While I’ve got most of the ingredients I don’t have any turnips or radishes, cooked radishes was such an alien idea to me and sounded awful, but you make them sound awesome so I’m game!! What can I substitute for the Sambal Oelek Chili Paste, cause I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to find it? I won’t get to the store before next weekend because right now I can’t even see the road in front of the house!! Snow!! Thanks for the recipe and any help!!
Pepper flakes. Jill
This looks delicious, and I don’t even like clams, ha ha. I will be making this for my husband, though, who loves clam chowder. The bonus is it’s low-carb, which is how I eat, so I can have some too. Can’t wait to try it!
I am excited to hear how you both like this, WG. Jill