Classic, creamy Clam Chowder made vegan with the help of plant-based, whole food ingredients. Thick, rich, and full of seafood flavor without any added dairy or animal products! This hearty chowder is gluten-free, oil-free, and will make your tastebuds tingle with its savory, umami essence.
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! No clams were harmed in the making of this AMAZING soup. 😉
But you’d never know it. While I don’t think there is a big market for seafood loving-vegans out there, I do know that there are some people who like seafood but are allergic to it. Particularly shellfish.
Thinking ahead to the holidays, I have a who is severely allergic to shellfish, so I am always trying to come up with unique, healthy recipes that we can both enjoy at our family get-togethers (him with allergies and me being plant-based). You see, I am usually in charge of making the starter soup that we all eat before the main course. It’s been butternut some years, mushroom in others, and even 10-Vegetable on occasion! Whatever I decide on, I always try to come up with a new, homemade recipe from scratch.
A Classic Made VEGAN
I don’t eat seafood anymore for environmental reasons, but I am still a big fan of classic seafood recipes…including Clam Chowder. I’ve had a craving for it recently since weather’s been cooler and I knew I had to try to make a vegan version. My mom actually used to make a ‘healthy’ version all the time when I was younger, but it’s been YEARS since I’ve had a bowl of it.
I have never been so excited about a veganized version of one my favorite foods. I had my doubts that I’d be able to really accomplish what I set out to do in creating a ‘seafood-less’ seafood soup, but once I got started and racked my brain for vegan foods that taste/resemble seafood, it all came together.
‘NO Clam’ Chowder
Aside from being INCREDIBLY easy to make, this Vegan Clam Chowder is:
- oil-free
- low-fat
- high protein
- low-carb
- gluten-free and grain-free
…and SO perfect for the cold weather months!
Ready chow down on some chowda’?
Vegan ‘No Clam’ Chowder
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
14.5 ounce container of Trader Joe’s mirepoix
1/2 tbsp chopped garlic
8 ounces sliced white mushrooms
5 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 head cauliflower (about 310 grams), steamed
1 sheet of nori, cut into pieces using kitchen scissors
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 block Mori-Nu lite firm tofu (12.3 ounces)
1 32 ounce container vegetable broth
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
In a medium pot over medium heat, add a 1/4 cup of broth. Saute mirepoix and garlic until translucent. Add 1/2 cup of broth and mushrooms. Continue to cook over medium heat until mushrooms are soft. Add in spices, sea salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Reduce heat to low.
Meanwhile, in a high speed blender, combine nutritional yeast, tofu, nori, and cauliflower. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour tofu mixture into the pot, stir, and raise heat to medium. Pour in remaining broth and stir to combine.
Bring pot to a boil then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 30 minutes.
Remove cover, stir in fresh parsley, and let cool completely before placing in the fridge.
NOTE: I recommend letting this soup sit overnight or at least a few hours to thicken and to let the flavors become more prominent.
Serve with salt and pepper to taste and more fresh parsley if desired.
Two different kinds of mushrooms replace clams in the stew because of their awesome texture. And the creaminess? Well, you have my two favorite ‘cream’ alternatives to thank for that! A velvety blend of steamed cauliflower, tofu, nutritional yeast, and nori (for that taste of the sea!) seamlessly replace the heavy cream that is used in traditional clam chowder.
This soup was devoured! I am pretty sure everyone licked their bowls clean and no one even questioned how I had made clam chowder without clams because of how authentic it tasted.
Since then, I’ve made this soup several times and even keep a few servings in the freezer for quick meals when I am in the rush.
As a self-proclaimed former seafood lover, I am happy to report this chowder passed the test!
But I’d love to know what YOU think! Will you accept my chowder challenge? 😉
Are you a seafood lover?
When it comes to chowder: New England or Manhattan?
What’s your favorite soup/stew?
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53 responses to “Vegan ‘No Clam’ Chowder [gluten-free + oil-free]”
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Great recipe! I love the flavor stock, nutritional yeast, and liquid smoke adds to vegan soups!
Such key ingredients when you are veganizing a soup!
Looks great! My son can’t eat dairy, so this would be perfect for him.
I am so happy you found something that will work for him!
Oh wow! What a great re-dex! I never would have thought to do this. I like all the subs.
Thanks Julie!
This soup looks so good! And as a vegetarian I am very happy you skipped the fish. It means I can make and eat the soup too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Let me know if you try it!
Yay! This sounds delicious! I can’t eat clams, and I’m always picking out the clams (sigh) in clam chowder, so this is perfect! 😛
I just bought cocholate cahsew milk last night. I’ve never had it before. It was good. I will have to try the regular kind. 🙂
I LOVE cashew milk! Have yet to try the chocolate but now I want to. 🙂
I don’t know that I have ever had a fully vegan meal. I do love seafood, and I would be interested to see how it compares. It looks yummy!
Well then this would be a great vegan dish to start off with!! 🙂
This is such an interesting and different recipe. I love the creativity!
Thank you!
You are a genius and that looks incredibly delicious! Dried mushrooms, who would’ve thought! Is it weird that I’m sort of glad you cousin is allergic?? Because otherwise this beautiful chowder my never have happened. And nothing too funky either, it sounds super healthy and veggie packed!
Having made this recipe, I am happy he’s allergic too. 🙂
this looks so yummy! I love clam chowder! Kudos to making a vegan version!
Thanks girl!
I’m a New England chowder lover so a creamy version does appeal to me!
Yay! Happy you like the recipe!
I love your creative spin on clam chowder. I looooove soups, so I can’t wait to give this one a try! 🙂
Thanks Kalee! Enjoy!
I love clam chowder but can’t eat clams either as I found out when I tried it. This is a great alternative, will have to give it a go
Thanks Alison! Let me know how it goes!
Mmmm! I am always on the look out for really different soup recipes, and this qualifies. It looks delicious!
Thanks Grace! Let me know if you try it!
That looks amazing! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays on honestmum.com
So welcome!
Love the sound of this! I’m eating vegan this month so adding this to my list of recipes to try. Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare
Thanks Mandy! Enjoy!
Great idea! I’ll have to try it some time 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
Definitely! Let me know if you do!
Sounds delicious, Kaila! And I like the new design. 😉 Good job!
Thank you so much!!
Hi Kaila,
This recipe sounds tasty and would really hit the spot on a cold Winter’s day. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
So true! Thank you Marla!
Wow – this sounds great. I will be honest, I’ve never had clam chowder (vegan or not), I’ve never been particularly interested – but this sounds delicious =)
I think you would LOVE it!! Let me know if you try it!
This looks great!
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I love that this is vegan! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Let me know how you like it! ENJOY!!!!
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing it at The Pretty Pintastic Party! We enjoyed it so much we are featuring it at this weekend’s party. Stop by, grab a featured badge, and link up some more awesome posts!
I am so honored! Thank you!
THanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
So welcome!
Love the celeriac in the soup! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays linky party! Hope you’ll come back and join us tomorrow.
It’s such a good addition! Takes the place of potatoes perfectly!
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Thanks so much for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome’s What’s for Dinner party! Have a fabulous weekend and hope to see you on Sunday with some brand new recipes! (Remember, nothing you’ve shared in the last 30 days – thanks)
What a delicious idea!! Pinned – Thank you so much for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome’s What’s for Dinner party. Have a fabulous week.
Thanks for sharing at the Meatless Monday party. Have a great weekend.