Name: What To Serve With Clam Chowder
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 1 portion clam chowder

Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your clam chowder, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 42 of the most popular side dishes for clam chowder.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with clam chowder are garlic bread, bacon twists, fried mussels, okra hush puppies, and onion strings. Try butter lettuce salad or green bean salad with lemon for lighter options. Go for pan-roasted shishito peppers if you want an unconventional but tasty side dish.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Garlic bread

If your clam chowder isn’t served in a bread bowl, a side of crusty bread is a must-have.

But why not go a step further and serve everyone’s favorite – garlic bread.

It’s one of the easiest sides you can make and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Pro-tip: use freshly minced garlic for best results.

Why we love this recipe: you’ll probably have everything you need already.

Featured recipe
Garlic bread
Make it fancy
Garlic swirl rolls
Go back to basics
Rosemary dinner rolls

Okra hush puppies

Hush puppies are an excellent accompaniment to seafood dishes, and they’re perfect for dipping in clam chowder.

I especially like these okra hush puppies – the okra slices add a sweet, grassy flavor to every bite.

Pro-tip: slice your okra thinly so they cook through quickly.

Why we love this recipe: they’re a fun and delicious way to serve okra.

Featured recipe
Okra hushpuppies
Make it different
Squash puppies
Make it simple
Fried okra

Green bean salad with lemon and dill

Ditch the leafy greens and give this green bean salad a try!

The green beans are blanched until just crisp-tender, so they keep their crunchy texture and signature bright green color.

But the real highlight of this dish is its bright lemon and dill vinaigrette that will cut right through the rich chowder.

Why we love this recipe: it’s filled with summer flavors.

Featured recipe
Green bean salad with lemon and dill
Make it different
Three-bean salad
Make it warm
Green beans almondine

Easy onion strings

Onions usually fade in the background, but not when they’re made into these crispy strings!

This side is reminiscent of traditional onion rings, but easier to make because the strings are way less fiddly.

Use them as a topping for your clam chowder, or serve them alongside with your favorite dip.

Why we love this recipe: they only take 15 minutes to make.

Featured recipe
Easy onion strings
Make it fun
Blooming onion
Make a classic
Beer-battered onion rings

Bacon twists

Who needs breadsticks when you can have these bacon twists? They’re not exactly healthy, but they do have less carbs!

The sticks are flavored with sugar and cayenne pepper, giving your savory bacon a spicy twist.

And they couldn’t be simpler to make – just twist each bacon slice, season, and bake.

It’s that easy.

Why we love this recipe: bacon makes everything better.

Featured recipe
Bacon twists
Make it fancy
Herbed cheesy puff pastry straws
Make it different
Prosciutto parmesan cheese straws

Fish and chips

Stick with the seafood theme by pairing your clam chowder with a classic fish and chips combo.

I like to use cod for the fish, but pollock or tilapia will work too. And for the potatoes I always go for russets.

Pro tip: for best results, fry the chips twice.

Why we love this recipe: it’s restaurant-worthy but easy to make.

Featured recipe
Fish and chips
Make a sandwich
Fish and chip sandwiches with orange fennel slaw
Skip the fish
Baked zucchini sticks

Browned butter jalapeno cornbread muffins

Not in the mood for garlic bread? These cornbread muffins are my next favorite thing to dip in soup.

They’re super moist and fluffy, which means they’re perfect for soaking up your chowder’s flavorful broth.

And they have an addictive hint of heat from the diced jalapenos.

Why we love this recipe: they’re a great addition to a regular dinner or a special holiday meal.

Featured recipe
Browned butter jalapeno cornbread muffins
Make it healthier
Low-carb cornbread
Shake it up
Creamed corn casserole

Butter lettuce salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/157414949462816262/

This butter lettuce salad is fast becoming one of my go-to sides for rich and creamy dishes.

Aside from the lettuce, it’s loaded with crunchy radish slices and slivers of pickled red onion for a tangy bite.

Then everything is tossed in a super refreshing mint vinaigrette.

Why we love this recipe: it has a nice cooling effect on the palate.

Featured recipe
Butter lettuce salad
Make it different
Lemon parmesan lettuce salad
Ditch the lettuce
Shaved brussels sprouts salad

Pan-roasted shishito peppers

These peppers are not a traditional accompaniment to clasm chowder, but they taste fabulous together.

The charred peppers develop a lovely smoky flavor that goes so well with the creamy broth.

And heads up – they aren’t generally spicy, but every once in a while you’ll get one that’s a LOT hotter than the rest!

Why we love this recipe: it will keep everyone on their toes.

Featured recipe
Pan-roasted shishito peppers
Make it Japanese-inspired
Beer batter shishito pepper tempura
Skip the stovetop
Roasted Padron peppers

Fried mussels

Another crunchy topping you could go for are these fried mussels.

The batter includes sumac, which is a dried berry powder with a uniquely lemony flavor.

If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a real treat!

Psst… for best results use the freshest mussels you can find.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a celebration of seafood.

Featured recipe
Fried mussels
Skip the seafood
Fried oyster mushrooms
Make it tangy
Pickled mussels

Sourdough bread bowl

Recreating the bread-bowl experience at home is a bit of effort, but it’s not impossible.

And you’ll be the talk of the family for weeks!

By the time you’ve finished the soup, the bread bowl will have soaked up loads of flavor and you can devour it. YUM.

Why we love this recipe: your house will smell amazing after baking these.

Featured recipe
Sourdough bread bowls
Keep it healthy
Weight watchers bread bowl
Go autumnal
Pumpkin bread bowls

Pickled red cabbage

Pickles are a fantastic way to add a contrasting flavor to a cream-based chowder.

I especially like pickled red cabbage (or red onions) because they’ll bring a bright pop of color to the meal.

Why we love this recipe: there’s no cooking involved – just mix the pickling liquid and let your shredded cabbage soak.

Featured recipe
Quick pickled cabbage
Go for onions
Pickled red onions
Make it fun
Fried pickle spears

Italian grilled cheese

Pair your clam chowder with this Italian grilled cheese for a classic soup and sandwich combination.

But this isn’t any old grilled cheese sandwich. It’s also got onions, tomato, and fresh basil in the mix.

Delicious.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fancy version of a childhood classic.

Featured recipe
Italian grilled cheese
Make it Tex-Mex style
Oaxaca quesadilla
Add a savory note
Grilled ham and cheese sandwich

Corn fritters

Swap the usual bread side with some crispy fritters.

They’re sturdy enough for dipping and are easy to make.

It’s best if you can use fresh corn, but canned or frozen is okay and as long as you make sure to dry it properly.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a great way to sneak vegetables into kids.

Featured recipe
Corn fritters
Make it simple
Zucchini chips
Change the flavor
Sweet potato fritters

The best side dishes to serve with clam chowder

Garlic bread
Okra hush puppies
Green bean salad with lemon and dill
Easy onion strings
Bacon twists
Fish and chips
Browned butter jalapeno cornbread muffins
Butter lettuce salad
Pan-roasted shishito peppers
Fried mussels
Sourdough bread bowl
Pickled red cabbage
Italian grilled cheese
Corn fritters