Chowder Base Mix
This cozy Chowder Base Mix turns any quart jar into a hearty, homemade meal starter that’s thick, creamy, and ready for all your favorite add-ins. It’s a budget-friendly, from-scratch staple that makes weeknight chowder feel downright effortless.
Ingredients
- 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 1¼ cups cornstarch or arrowroot
- 4 tablespoons ¼ cup dried minced onions
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- ⅓ cup potato flakes
Instructions
- To Make Chowder:
- Whisk ½ cup mix with
- 1¼ cups broth
- ½ cup milk
- Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Add 1–2 cups of your chowder add-ins.
- Finish with 1–2 tablespoons butter (or dairy-free).
Notes
➡️ Potato Chowder
1 cup diced potatoes (precooked OR simmer in broth until tender)
Optional: ½ cup corn, bacon bits, scallions
➡️ Corn Chowder
1 cup corn (frozen, canned, or fresh)
Optional: diced potatoes, ham, or a pinch of smoked paprika
➡️ Broccoli Chowder
1 cup chopped broccoli (fresh or frozen)
Add ½ cup cheddar for Broccoli Cheddar Chowder
➡️ Seafood Chowder
½–1 cup shrimp, crab, clams, or white fish
Optional: celery, potatoes, or a splash of cream
➡️ Chicken Chowder
1 cup cooked diced chicken
Optional: celery, carrots, potatoes, peas
➡️ Mushroom Chowder
1 cup sliced mushrooms sautéed in butter
Optional: use beef broth for deeper flavor
➡️ Tomato Chowder
1 cup diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
Optional: basil, Italian seasoning, tiny pasta