A Simple Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder Recipe
I live on the East Coast of Canada, and can you believe I didn’t try a bowl of Nova Scotia seafood chowder until I was in my 30s?! It may sound like an anomaly, however, with a diagnosed scallop intolerance, I was nervous to try any seafood. I learned how to make this creamy seafood chowder recipe when I lived in Cape Breton, and it is shared with permission.
This post first appeared on February 2, 2015 and was last updated on January 21, 2020.
Best Seafood Chowder In Halifax
This probably isn’t what you want to hear, but the best seafood chowder in Halifax is the one you will make when you follow this recipe!
My partner Chris is from Inverness, Cape Breton. A former coal mining town, these days inverness is recognized as a summer golf and beach destination. Despite the closing of the coal mine many years ago one thing remains constant in Inverness – lobster fishing. I learned how to make this seafood chowder recipe in Inverness while we lived there, and trust me, lobster meat, fresh off the boat, and cooked in ocean water is crucial to the best seafood chowder! Use fresh lobster if you can.
How To Make Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder
- Cook 4 strips bacon until crispy. Crumble and set aside.
- Boil 1 1/2 cup potatoes, 1/2 cup chopped leeks, 1/4 cup diced carrots, and 1/4 cup diced celery in a large pot with 3 1/2 cups water until tender.
- 1/4 pound of fresh scallops and simmer 5 minutes.
- Add 1/2 pound fresh haddock chunks and simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix in 1/4 pound cooked lobster meat, 3 cups 35% heavy cream, and cooked crumbled bacon. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Take This Maritime Seafood Chowder Recipe To The Next Level:
- Use a chicken or seafood stock as the base of your chowder instead of water.
- Add shrimp. Remove the shells and devein 1/4 pound of fresh or thawed frozen shrimp. Add to your Nova Scotia seafood chowder when you add the scallops.
- Use thick cut double smoked bacon. Sometimes available at your local butcher or specialty food shop!
- Nova Scotia seafood chowder is best served with homemade dinner rolls or tea biscuits! Check out my Nanny’s Easy Cheese Tea Biscuits recipe.
Do You Like Hearty Soup Recipes? How About:
Easy Minestrone Soup With Chickpeas And Rice (vegan)
Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder
A rich creamy Nova Scotia seafood chowder recipe loaded with fresh Atlantic seafood! Shared with permission.
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups peeled diced potatoes
- 1/2 cup cleaned chopped leeks
- 1/4 cup diced carrots
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 pound fresh scallops
- 1/2 pound bite-sized fresh haddock pieces
- 1/4 pound cooked lobster meat
- 3 cups 35% heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook 4 strips bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Crumble and set aside.
- Place water, potatoes, leeks, carrots, and celery in a large pot with 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add scallops and simmer 5 minutes.
- Add fresh haddock pieces and simmer 5 minutes.
- Add cooked lobster meat, 35% heavy cream, and cooked crumbled bacon. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 601Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 597mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 31g
People come to Nova Scotia for lobster, but there’s nothing more typical than chowder.
I love a good seafood chowder!! I’m not able to tolerate a lot of dairy, but it’s worth it when seafood is involved! And I’m like you Kelly. Living in Newfoundland, I was exposed to seafood all my life, but really only started enjoying and appreciating it as an adult! I’d love a huge bowl of this chowder right now!
ahhh I’m just dying over this chowder….oh how I would love a bowl. One of these days, I just have to head to the East coast and eat my fill of lobster. Especially if you say boiling the lobster in brine is the best, can’t get that here in Alberta.
Being a westcoaster, I am a huge fan of seafood chowders. Lobster is usually pretty expensive here, but this chowder will be worth every penny spent. It looks absolutely delicious!
Oh you know I just cannot resist commenting on any recipe remotely connected to my beloved NS! I do love a good seafood chowder, and this recipe looks great Kelly!
I can’t believe that you didn’t eat seafood until your 30’s!? Believe me, I’d be eating so much more if I wasn’t land-locked. I can’t wait to try this when I can get my hands on some decent seafood!