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    Home » SOUP, CHILI, AND CURRY

    Lobster and Crab Chowder

    Modified: Dec 7, 2021 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

    Winter chowder loaded with lobster and crabmeat.

    After living in the Bay Area for 30 years, we're moving this month. We still need to sell the house – that’ll happen in the spring - but we officially hit the road, with cars packed to the roof, for Lake Tahoe’s snow country this week. It's only 3 ½ hours away (if all goes well with traffic, which rarely happens unless it's 2 AM), but we’re shaking up our lives in a big way.

    There's a lot to love in Tahoe. My husband and I both enjoy the snow, and Rika (our mini-labradoodle) is nothing short of ecstatic when she spies billowy snow from her top-of-the-sofa perch. If she isn’t nose deep in it, she's whining a full-length song at the front door, yodeling with all her heart to go out for a wild romp. Hiking, kayaking, and the beaches call to us in summer, although the doodle is not yet a fan of being in water above her fluffy knees, and our kids and grandkids visit year-round.

    Maybe life will slow down a bit for me in the mountains, but seriously, that's doubtful. It’s far more likely I’ll continue to load up my tray like a starving teenager. I keep reminding my husband -- I'm changing my address honey, not my personality.

    All that said, there’s something both exciting and unsettling about turning one’s life upside down. Our new home will be in an inclusive, friendly town where we’ve already met a number of people and formed some new friendships. But even with this, there’s still a strong feeling of starting over in creating new connections, and finding like-minded groups. There’s burgeoning hope I’ll develop new, enriching friendships, and fear that I won’t. It’s takes energy to walk into a room of strangers and strike up casual conversations, and it takes courage to carve out a new life path. But even though a voice whispers over my shoulder: “I hope this is the right thing to do”, my heart says “Let’s do this thing”.

    So as we turn the page to greet a new month, a new year, and a new life with hugely different weather patterns (and new wardrobe opportunities, even for our doodle), we wish everyone much happiness, health, and love in the year to come. I look forward to sharing many new recipes with you, but I warn you there may be more winter comfort food than I’ve done in the past, in deference to my new environs. In fact, here’s a peek at what we’ll be eating this New Year’s as we tuck ourselves into the sofa by the fire with a good book, and suffer through Rika’s whines by the front door.

    4.10 from 20 votes

    Lobster and Crab Chowder

    Winter comfort chowder loaded with lobster, crabmeat, and potatoes. Elegant enough for a starter dish at a dinner party, rustic enough for a family meal.
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    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Chowder
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 366kcal
    Author: Susan Pridmore
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
    • ½ cup finely diced celery
    • ¼ cup finely diced poblano pepper
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup white wine
    • 16 ounces clam juice
    • ⅔ cup frozen corn
    • 2 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
    • 1 can 14.5 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes
    • 1 cup your favorite pasta sauce plain or with Italian herbs
    • 3 lobster tails 9 ounces total with the shells
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ½ tablespoon fresh thyme
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or make your own
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • zest of 1 navel orange
    • 1 cup crabmeat
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 2 tablespoons brandy
    • Coarsely chopped parsley

    Instructions

    • Heat up the olive oil in a heavy bottomed large pot or Le Creuset (my personal favorite) over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, pepper, and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 10 - 15 minutes, depending on the size of the vegetable chunks.
    • Stir in the butter until it melts, and add the flour. Toss the vegetables in the flour, and cook for 5 minutes to cook the flour. Whisk in the wine and cook for a few minutes until it begins to thicken a bit.
    • Add the clam juice, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and pasta sauce. Simmer until the potatoes are barely cooked, about 10 minutes. Add the lobster tails (in the shell), bay leaf, thyme, seasonings, orange zest, and crabmeat. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the lobster is cooked. Remove the lobster tails, cut out the meat, coarsely chop, and return to the chowder.
    • Stir in the whipping cream and brandy and bring to just below a simmer.
    • Ladle into chowder bowls, and serve immediately with a little parsley on top.

    Notes

    Calories were calculated using the VeryWell Fit nutrition calculator for 6 servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcal
    « Peppermint Mocha Panna Cotta
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    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz

      December 20, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Your chowder looks phenomenal!!! Perfect special occasion soup. Good luck with your move, Susan!!! xo

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 21, 2016 at 5:10 pm

        Thanks so much Liz! We really enjoyed this chowder!

        Reply
    2. The Food Hunter

      December 20, 2016 at 10:31 am

      This is something I need to make right away! It would be perfect for New Years

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 21, 2016 at 5:11 pm

        Thanks!! I think I'm going to make it again, along with all our other dishes (!!) for NYE!

        Reply
    3. Jane, The Heritage Cook

      December 20, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      The Bay Area's loss is Tahoe's gain! I can see you sitting by the roaring fire, beginning your New Year and new life in the most beautiful place on earth - especially with a bowl of this amazing chowder. Sounds like the perfect beginning to me! Best of luck with the move!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 21, 2016 at 5:11 pm

        Thanks so much Jane! We're driving up tomorrow I think. We've had lots of moving pieces, but fingers crossed!!

        Reply
    4. Travis

      December 21, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      I love chowder! I can't wait to try your recipe out! Goodluck on your move! 🙂

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 21, 2016 at 5:12 pm

        Thanks so much Travis!! I love chowder too! If you try it, I'd love to hear how it went for you!!

        Reply
    5. Jenni

      December 21, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      Wow--that's a big old move! How exciting! And this soup? Swoony! <3

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 21, 2016 at 5:13 pm

        Thanks Jenni! Exciting and scary all at the same time!!

        Reply
    6. laura@motherwouldknow

      December 25, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Susan, I admire your spirit and know that you'll have a wonderful new life in Nevada. Glad I caught you for our wonderful lunch while you were still in the Bay Area. This chowder looks spectacular - perfect for warding off a winter chill.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 26, 2016 at 12:07 pm

        I'm so so happy we were able to connect for a meet up while we were still there too! If you're ever in the Tahoe area, you must let me know! Happy Hanukkah to you and your family!

        Reply
    7. James Gross

      December 26, 2016 at 11:04 am

      Thanks for your sharing. I also love chowder. Great occasion soup!

      Reply
    8. The Wimpy Vegetarian

      December 26, 2016 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks so much! Yes, it's perfect for a special occasion!

      Reply
    9. Ansh

      December 28, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Your new home sounds like a picture perfect place. I am down for as many comfort foods as you like, so bring them on along with stories about your new adventures! It's good to listen to your heart and That lobster crab chowder is just what the heart desires. Stunning looking dish.

      Reply
    10. The Ninja Baker

      January 09, 2017 at 4:06 pm

      Wow! Happy New Year indeed Susan. Undoubtedly your heart speaks the truth. There is something so very tranquil about nature...Happy skiing on new trails!

      And yes, as always, your chowder, your recipe looks delicious and do-able! Thank you =)

      Reply
    11. Garagegymplannner

      January 16, 2017 at 4:08 am

      4 stars
      I haven't tried this recipe before I was just looking for the lobster recipe and found your post in google and I noted down all the steps in my small book. I'm a working guy not getting time for cooking, but I love cooking on weekends.
      I surely get back to you after trying this recipe thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    12. Billy Smith

      February 08, 2017 at 12:17 am

      5 stars
      I hope I will be able to make this for my wife. Her birthday is coming next week and I want to surprise her.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 08, 2017 at 3:56 pm

        I hope you both like it!! It's a great *special occasion* chowder / soup!

        Reply
    13. Lee

      June 07, 2017 at 7:09 am

      5 stars
      WOW! What a great tasting soup! Very rich and creamy! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    14. Rob

      October 30, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      What I love about this recipe is that as a vegan I can still use it while only having to make minor substitutions. Awesome!

      Reply
    15. Hans Renner

      June 20, 2018 at 4:54 am

      Susan, Thanks for the recipe. Delicious!

      Reply
    16. Maira

      January 17, 2019 at 6:52 am

      4 stars
      Hi Susuan,Thanks for your sharing. I also love chowder. Great occasion soup!

      Reply
    4.10 from 20 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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