Ultimate Dairy-Free Chunky Seafood Chowder – perfect for special occasion! (Whole30/Dairy-Free)
Dairy-Free Seafood Chowder
This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill®, but the opinions are my own.
This is a decadent and delicious winter chowder that is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy weekend night!
You guys know I LOVE making-over recipes that are traditionally dairy-filled and making them dairy-free. Ever since I found out I was allergic to dairy (way back when I was a sophomore in high school), I have had to get creative in the kitchen. I found creative ways still eat my favorite foods … minus the dairy.
One of the easiest ways to thicken your soups so they are “creamy” is to use arrowroot powder – my go-to brand has always been Bob’s Red Mill. It works like a dream every time. This recipe was inspired by my Dairy-Free Clam Chowder, which also used Bob’s Red Mill arrowroot powder to create that dreamy thickness every chowder should have 🙂
And please feel free to use whatever seafood you want – I used lobster, crab and prawns. I left the shells on and cooked the seafood in some seafood stock – this only intensified the flavor of the stock so that when you added it in with the coconut milk, etc. the seafood flavor would really shine through – it is SO good you guys! I am picturing you making this on Valentine’s Day, a cozy winter weekend or any other special occasion! It’s so perfect! Enjoy!
Oh and if you are needing ALL the cozy soups and stews – make sure you check out this round-up of over 20 of my favorite healthy soups, stews and chilis!
Other Soup Recipes You Might Like
- Whole30 Zuppa Toscana
- Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- The BEST Homemade Chicken Soup
- Roasted Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
- Chicken Tortellini Soup
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Ultimate Dairy-Free Chunky Seafood Chowder
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approx. 8 cups
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
A savory and delicious seafood chowder that is Whole30-friendly, dairy-free and SO delicious! Perfect for a special occasion, holiday, date night or Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- 4 cups seafood stock
- 2–3 small lobster tails
- 1–2 clusters of crab legs
- 1/2 lb large shrimp/prawns (use up to a pound, depending upon how chunky you want it)
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil (vegan butter works too)
- 2 Tablespoons Bob’s Red Mill Arrowroot Powder
- 1 can full fat coconut milk, blended
- 2 Teaspoons salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In large sauce pan bring seafood stock to a simmer.
- Add lobster tails, prawns and crab legs (break up crab legs to they fit).
- Cover and let simmer approx. 8-10 minutes.
- Carefully remove seafood and place on plate or cookie tray to allow them to cool.
- Pour broth through cheesecloth to remove any of the “seafood grit.”
- Place strained broth back in saucepan, but do not place on heat.
- Once seafood is cool enough, remove meat from shells and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Set aside broth and seafood.
- In another large saucepan, add 2 Tablespoons olive oil.
- Add garlic and sauté on medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add celery and onion and sauté until onion reduces, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add potatoes and another Tablespoon of olive oil.
- Continually stir on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, allowing potatoes to cook slightly.
- Add the last Tablespoon of olive oil and stir to combine.
- Add arrowroot powder and mix to allow it to coat ingredients.
- Slowly add seafood broth, stirring after every pour and scraping any bits off the bottom.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring fairly continuously.
- Then add can of coconut milk, stir.
- Add seafood back into soup, along with salt and pepper.
- Stir and then taste – add additional salt or pepper as desired.
Notes
- You can really use any seafood you want – you could use bay scallops, fish, etc.
- If you are concerned with Whole30/Paleo use olive or avocado oil instead of vegan butter
Leslie Bowman says
I loved this recipe….I adapted it using fresh Canadian seafood available at a local market (clams, scallops, shrimp, cod) and also added the cayenne and parsley at the end. As we have a low sodium requirement in our home I did not add any extra salt or pepper, but found it still very flavorful. Could not tell at all that cream or butter were not in the chowder! Will be using this recipe again, thanks!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Leslie!! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a review!
Miranda says
Are you able to taste the coconut from the coconut milk by chance?
Erin says
I don’t think you can – it really takes on all the other flavors, but I suppose if you are super sensitive to coconut milk you might taste it a tiny bit?
Ana Jane says
I’m dairy free & since I have to avoid coconut as well. What can I substitute coconut milk with?
Dori says
You would never know that this recipe is Whole30 compliant! It was so good!!!!! My husband who is not Whole30 gobbled up second and 3rd helpings! Thank you!
Erin says
Thank you so much<, Dori! That is so awesome to hear! Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback! I greatly appreciate it!
Anne-Marie Goodman says
I tried this as I wanted to make a chowder without all the heavy cream.
Used only wild haddock, shrimp and scallops.
I didn’t have enough seafood stock ( 1 can) added some water, and had 1 can of coconut milk.
I followed the previous person and added some cayenne.
Worked out nicely!
Would make it again!
Thanks
Anne-Marie from Ottawa Canada
Erin says
Yay! So happy to hear that, Anne-Marie! Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback, I really appreciate it!
Janet says
I love lobster chowder, but am on the Whole 30. Got free lobsters from a neighbor, so I found this recipe. Honestly, you would NEVER know it was Whole 30 compliant…it tastes AMAZING. I added parsley and cayenne pepper (about 1/4 t.), Perfect!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Janet!! Thank you so much for the feedback!