This Instant Pot Fish Chowder is a simple and hearty fish dinner. A creamy dairy free soup base with chunks of flakey white fish and hearty vegetables will make the perfect meal on any chilly evening. 

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What is Fish Chowder?

Chowder is a rich, hearty soup with seafood or chicken. These filling soups usually start with a base stock and a mix of vegetables like onions, celery, carrots, and sometimes potatoes.

Most chowders are creamy, except for a few like the Manhattan clam chowder. That one is made with a tomato base. There are many different types of chowders. You can find recipes for them using a range of proteins, from clam and corn chowder to even chicken chowder.

I prefer seafood chowders like fish and shrimp. While I have this amazing Shrimp Chowder you can check out later, today’s recipes will feature a nice white and flakey fish. Both recipes utilize the Instant Pot meaning you can have a delicious dinner ready in under an hour.

Do All Chowders Have To Be Thickened?

Most chowder recipes will call for some type of thickener to give them their typical thick and creamy consistency, but since we follow a lower-carb lifestyle I chose to leave the thickener out.

For those that need a Low Carb of THM approved thickener,  then I suggest Xanthum Gum or Glucci (Glucomannan). Start with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon and whisk it in at the end after you’ve added the coconut cream. Then let the chowder simmer for a few minutes to thicken. 

If you want the traditional thick and creamy texture then by all means use the thickening method of your choice. If you don’t follow a low carb diet you could thicken this chowder with corn starch or by adding in some potatoes instead of cauliflower before cooking.

Thicken or not, this chowder will be filling and delicious. So try it both ways and let me know how you like your chowders in the comments below. 

How Is Fish Chowder Made In The Instant Pot?

Making chowders in a pressure cooker is just as easy as making your favorite soups. There are only a few simple steps to putting together this recipe for your Instant Pot. You’ll love how easy it is and how quickly it is to pull it all together.

The first step is gathering, cleaning, and chopping all your ingredients such as our onions, cauliflower, and carrots. Once you have your veggies all clean and chopped up into smaller pieces just prepare your fish

We like chunky soups and chowders, so I do a rough chop on my cauliflower and carrots, but you can chop them smaller if you want them that way. This is all a matter of preference. 

When it comes to the fish in this chowder, you can cut it into chunks or you can opt to leave it in larger filets. Either way is fine, but if you want to save time just leave them whole because once they are cooked in the chowder they will be so tender they will flake apart as you stir the chowder.

When you’re ready to assemble your chowder for dinner, just add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot with your fish on top of the veggies. The broth may not completely cover the fish and that is fine.

Put the lid on and close your pressure valve before setting your timer to 6 minutes. Then walk away and let the Instant Pot do its magical goodness. 

Can This Fish Chowder Recipe Be Made In The Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot?

If you do not have an Instant Pot this recipe is easily made in a slow cooker as well. While the cooking time will change a good deal, the steps are virtually the same when preparing this recipe for the slow cooker. 

When you’re ready to prepare this recipe in your slow cooker, follow the same steps to prepare your veggies and your fish then add the veggies and seasonings to the cooker. Next top the veggies with your fish and pour over the broth. 

Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. At around the 5-hour mark, you can remove the lid and add in the coconut milk or milk of your choice. You would also use this time to add any thickeners you would like to use. 

Once the milk is in replace the lid and let the fish chowder cook for the remaining hour. Then you are all set for a delicious slow cooker fish chowder. 

What Type of Fish Should You Use For Chowder?

Of course, you can make fish chowder with nearly any type of fish, but in my opinion, the best results come when you use a fish with firmer meat. These types of fish are the ones that don’t fall apart during cooking.

It is also important to choose a fish that has a mild flavor that will blend well with all the other veggies in the recipe. You want to have that wonderful seafood flavor but you don’t want a very overpowering fishy flavor.

So I would suggest a mild white fish like cod, haddock, halibut, or maybe some farm-raised catfish since it will have a milder flavor than wild-caught catfish. But if you would like extra tasty chowder you can even choose to use a richer flesh fish such as salmon. That is delicious also. 

Can Other Seafood Options Be Used Instead Of Fish?

If you like seafood chowders but not particularly fish then you can opt for using other seafood like clams, oysters, scallops, and of course shrimp. Just make sure you check your user manual with your Instant Pot to see how long your seafood choice takes in the Instant Pot. It would be horrible to overcook delicious seafood. 

Most of the seafood I listed cook super fast and will become tough or rubbery if you let them cook too long in the chowder. A better option might be to prepare your chowder without the seafood as the recipe states and then add the seafood into the chowder before serving it. 

For example, cook your chowder base with the veggies for 8 minutes per the instructions, then after you have released the steam and removed the lid stir in your seafood and turn your Instant Pot to simmer. 

Let the chowder simmer for about five to eight minutes to cook the seafood. Again this timing will vary slightly and will depend on which type of seafood you choose to use. 

What Sides Go Well Served with Fish Chowder?

Nothing goes better with a soup or chowder than a great piece of crusty sourdough bread but that is not to say that is your only option to use when you prepare this recipe. Check out the few suggestions I have below and choose which one would work best for your family.  

Here are A Few Side Options for Serving: 

1. A good quality sourdough bread from a bakery or your favorite home made recipe would be amazing with this chowder. 
2. Crackers such as the Trim Healthy Mama Brand of Shameless Crackers for a good gluten free options or your favorite brand of crackers for the local grocery store if you are not following the THM diet plan. 
3. A good leafy side salad packed with fresh veggies is also a yummy option to pair with this chowder. Soup and salad are a classic combo that many will enjoy. 

Keri Bucci

I am a southern girl through and through that loves to laugh, cook, read and spend time with family. My passions outside of home schooling my son are ministering to those in need and creating art in the kitchen! Every day is an adventure in our little house and I wouldn’t trade it or the chance to share here with you for anything!