National Clam Chowder Day is on Thursday, February 25, 2027, and it falls on February 25 every year. It celebrates the hearty soup of clams, potatoes and onions, whether you like it creamy or red. Late February is still chowder weather along much of the coast.
When Is National Clam Chowder Day?
It’s always February 25. It’s an unofficial food day, not a federal holiday.
Who Started National Clam Chowder Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Background: where the word “chowder” comes from
It comes from the French word “chaudière,” meaning a kettle or the contents of a kettle. Merriam-Webster traces it to the Late Latin “caldaria,” the same root as “cauldron.” The noun first shows up in English in 1751.
New England vs. Manhattan Clam Chowder
The day celebrates both of America’s best-known styles. New England chowder is white, made with milk or cream. Manhattan chowder swaps the dairy for a tomato broth, which makes it lighter and red.
Some New Englanders take the difference seriously. In 1939, Maine legislator Cleveland Sleeper Jr. drafted a bill to outlaw tomato chowder in the state, calling the New York version “vegetable soup.”
The bill was shelved, and a cook-off at Portland’s Lafayette Hotel settled the fight.
How to Celebrate National Clam Chowder Day
- Hold a chowder face-off: make a small pot of each style, hide the labels and let guests vote.
- Serve it in a bread bowl: hollow out a round sourdough loaf and toast it before filling.
- Add the classic crackers: crumble oyster crackers on top just before eating.
- Bake chowder crackers: toss oyster crackers with melted butter, dill and Old Bay, then toast for 10 minutes.
- Visit a seafood shack: order a cup at a local fish market or waterfront restaurant.
How to Make Clam Chowder at Home
- Start with salt pork or bacon: render it slowly, then cook diced onion and celery in the fat.
- Use waxy potatoes: Yukon Golds hold their shape better than russets.
- Save the clam juice: steam fresh clams, chop the meat and strain the liquid for your broth.
- Add clams last: stir them in at the end so they stay tender instead of rubbery.
- Don’t boil the cream: keep a New England chowder at a gentle simmer once the dairy goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chowder, exactly?
Merriam-Webster defines it as a soup or stew of seafood, typically made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions and other vegetables.
Can you use canned clams?
Yes. Canned chopped clams work well; add the meat at the end and use the juice in the broth. Bottled clam juice can stretch it further.
How long does leftover chowder keep?
Refrigerate it within two hours and eat it within three to four days, the USDA advises. Reheat gently, stirring, and thin it with a splash of milk.