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Ward off the winter chill with this easy Smoked Salmon Chowder! It features creamy low carb broth filled with chunks of smoked salmon, zesty capers, and red onion.
Soup season is here and I have been digging into my archives to make all of my favorites. If you’re looking for warm, comforting recipes, you definitely want to try this Smoked Salmon Chowder!
The chilly rain has set into the Pacific Northwest, so recipes like Chile Relleno Soup and Loaded Cauliflower Soup are high on my list. But I almost forgot about this delectable chowder until a reader emailed me about how much she loved it.
I originally created this recipe for my Easy Keto Dinners cookbook. I adore smoked salmon and will eat it any time I can (and when I can afford it!). So this recipe holds a very special place in my heart.
Why you need to try this recipe
This recipe has all the hallmarks of a classic chowder, but with far fewer carbs. Most chowders take potatoes and flour to thicken them, but this easy keto version relies on cream cheese.
And it takes only 20 minutes to make! It’s the sort of thing you can make easily after a long day at work. It’s rich, creamy, and super comforting.
Have some salmon skeptics in your household? Well this one seems to please even those who swear they don’t like it. Check out the rave reviews below!
Reader Reviews
“I’m really disappointed that I can only give five stars for this dish. OH! MY! GAWD!!… YYYYUUUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!(I don’t know about this being six serves though … I might end up eating the lot tonight!)” — Natalie
“My husband and I hate salmon. Period. But hot smoked salmon? Had to try it. This recipe is AMAZEBALLS!!! I just asked my group the other day for any salmon ideas for salmon haters and you magically appeared. I will repost this for you to the others who were looking for one. You are a goddess!” — Tammy
“This was so delicious! Even the salmon haters in our family gobbled this up, and asked for seconds. Didn’t change a thing.” — Katie
Ingredient Notes
- Smoked salmon: I use hot smoked salmon, which is usually a thicker single piece of salmon. You can use cold smoked as well but it changes texture a bit in the hot broth. You can also use regular cooked salmon, for a non-smoked option.
- Celery: Celery is high in fiber and low in carbs, so it’s a great addition to keto soups.
- Onion: I keep the onion to a minimum, as they have more carbs than you might think.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Chicken broth: You can also use seafood stock or vegetable broth instead.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese adds thickness and creaminess. .
- Capers: Smoked salmon and capers go hand in hand. Drain the capers before adding. You can skip this if you don’t like them.
- Red onion: This is optional, but I garnish my soup with a little red onions.
- Pantry staples: Butter, heavy cream, tomato paste, salt and pepper.
Step by Step Directions
1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and sprinkle with salt. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Simmer the soup base: Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute. Stir in the chicken broth and the tomato paste and bring to a simmer, whisking to combine.
3. Blend the cream cheese: Place the cream cheese in a blender and add the hot broth mixture. Blend until smooth.
4. Add the fish: Return the soup to the saucepan and add the cream, salmon, and capers. Bring back to a simmer over medium low heat, to warm through.
4. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle each serving with chopped red onion and a lemon wedge.
Tips for Success
Some people prefer the chowder to be a little thicker. If so, I recommend adding ½ to ¾ teaspoon glucomannan. You can remove a little of the broth at the end, whisk in the konjac root powder, and stir it back into the pot of chowder.
You can also use one of my favorite tricks for thickening soup… cauliflower! Add 8 to 12 ounces of frozen cauliflower in step 2. Simmer the broth a little longer to make sure the cauliflower is nice and soft before blending. Now you’ve got added veggies too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Many chowder recipes rely on flour or cornstarch to thicken the broth. But this low carb chowder uses cream cheese and/or glucomannan. You can also add some cauliflower before blending for a healthier thicker soup.
As with all fish based soups, this salmon chowder is best when it’s freshly made. However, if you have leftovers, you can heat them gently the next day and it is just as good. Store it in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this soup as cream based soups split and don’t reheat well.
This keto smoked salmon chowder recipe has 4.6g of carbs and 0.5g of fiber per serving. That comes to 4.1g net carbs per bowl.
More delicious fish recipes
Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
Ward off the winter chill with this easy Smoked Salmon Chowder! It features creamy low carb broth filled with chunks of smoked salmon, zesty capers, and red onion.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 292kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 rib celery chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces smoked salmon hot smoked, chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
Instructions
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In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and sprinkle with salt. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
-
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute. Stir in the chicken broth and the tomato paste and bring to a simmer, whisking to combine.
-
Place the cream cheese in a blender and add the hot broth mixture. Blend until smooth. Return to the saucepan and add the cream, salmon, and capers. Bring back to a simmer over medium low heat, to warm through.
-
Sprinkle each serving with chopped red onion.
Notes
Storage Information: Store this soup in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 292
Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Carbohydrates 4.6g2%
Fiber 0.5g2%
Protein 14.9g30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
