My Mother'S Fish Chowder

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: American

A hearty and comforting fish chowder featuring tender white fish, potatoes, and a creamy milk base. Its warm flavors and smooth texture make it perfect for cozy family dinners or casual gatherings, offering a delicious way to enjoy fresh seafood with simple, wholesome ingredients.

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 quarts water
  • 8 large potatoes, peeled and cut up
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 lb. skinless haddock or other white fish
  • 1 large can evaporated milk
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook potatoes and chopped onion in water just covering them in a large pot until almost done.
  2. Add fish pieces on top of the potatoes, cover, and cook another 5 minutes on low heat.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in evaporated milk, butter, salt, pepper, and parsley.
  4. Serve hot with salad and cornbread.

Tips & Substitutions

To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. If you don't have haddock, any firm white fish like cod or tilapia will work well. For a heartier chowder, you can include diced carrots or celery. Use fresh parsley for a bright finish, but dried works too if that’s what you have.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the chowder hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a twist, consider serving it alongside fried salmon cakes or stuffed jalapeno peppers for an exciting seafood spread.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the milk from curdling. You may need to add a splash of water or milk if the chowder thickens too much.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of My Mother'S Fish Chowder contains roughly 2407 calories, with 70g protein, 306g carbohydrates, and 101g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (153% of the Daily Value), protein (140% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (111% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1632mg per serving (71% of the Daily Value).

2407 kcal 100% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 69.8g 100% DV
Total Fat 101.3g 100% DV
Carbs 306.4g 100% DV
Fiber 30.9g 100% DV
Sugar 10.6g 21% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1631.5mg 71% DV
Potassium 5000mg 100% DV
Cholesterol 111.8mg 37% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 41mcg 5% DV
Vitamin C 137.9mg 100% DV
Vitamin D 1mcg 5% DV
Calcium 185.9mg 14% DV
Iron 15.1mg 84% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber
Contains Milk Fish

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen fish for this chowder?

Yes, frozen fish can be used, but make sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the chowder. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the chowder from becoming watery.

What can I do if the chowder is too thick?

If your chowder turns out too thick, simply stir in a bit of water or additional evaporated milk until you reach your desired consistency. Be sure to heat it gently to avoid curdling the milk.

Can I make this chowder ahead of time?

Absolutely! This chowder can be made a day in advance. Just reheat it on the stove with low heat before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even tastier.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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