Tried and true family recipes are the best, and this Irish Potato Chowder Recipe doesn’t disappoint! Try a steaming bowl of rich, creamy potato chowder that uses real ingredients: potatoes, butter, milk, vegetables and herbs. Easy to make, comforting chowder for frigid winter days.
*Newsflash: my Charlie (11) made the soup crock you see above in his pottery class at the Currier Art Center. It was thrown on a wheel, glazed, fired and displayed at his art show. And finally it arrived home so we can fill it with delicious homemade soups and chowders!
So we’ve had a cold snap around here for the last few weeks or so. It’s been SO cold. The bone-chilling kind of cold that freezes your nose hairs when you peek out the door to see if the bird feeder needs refilling. Eek!
Separately on the stovetop, slowly cook a roux (butter and flour)… then set aside.
But the kind of cold we’re feeling now, with temps in the teens, is nothing like the Arctic frigid we experienced up in Quebec City over New Year’s weekend. Oh. My. Stars. Now that was cold.
Thankfully Jon checked the forecast ahead of time and got face masks for all of us before we headed north. It was serious business. And while there we saw more full length fur coats, face masks and fur boots than ever. (You may remember Jon and I went to Quebec a couple years ago in the winter time.)
It was such a great trip and we vowed we’d take the kids back the next time. Quebec City is like a little Europe. Just a days drive from NH and French is spoken in all the little cafes and creperies.
The exchange rate works in our favor and especially in the off-season, it’s a great deal for a genuine European experience.
So all that to say, baby it’s cold outside. And just a few weeks ago, New England experienced yet another big N’oreaster. Hurricane winds and significant snowfall contributed to what some forecasters called a bomb cyclone or a bombogenesis. (It has something to do with the rapid drop of the storm’s central air pressure. That’s all I know – I’m not a weather forecaster.)
Bomb cyclone and bombogenesis are terms I’d never even heard before. But no matter what you call it, when it gets blustery cold and blizzardy outside and the window panes rattle, all I want is cozy. And a steaming bowl of chowder like this Irish Potato Chowder Recipe is just that.
So this is the chowder I made the night we got back from Quebec City. So rich, creamy and comforting – steaming in the bowl. It tasted even better the next day.
Tips for making Irish Potato Chowder Recipe:
- Use your food processor to quickly dice the carrots, celery and onion. (A good husband (or wife) works great too!)
- I used 2% milk, but use the milk of your choice.
- This recipe calls for making a roux of butter and flour separately in a saucepan, then adding it to the soup later. The key to making a good roux is to keep the burner temperature low and stir often. A roux helps thicken the soup and makes it extra rich, creamy and flavorful. Here are more tips from Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond on making the perfect roux.
Irish Potato Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoons butter divided
- 7 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2/3 cup diced carrots
- 2/3 cup diced celery
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon freeze-dried chives
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 5 cups peeled. diced potatoes
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- salt and ground white pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs for garnish I used copped chives
Instructions
- Make a roux by melting 5 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan.
- Stir in flour until well blended.
- Cook over low heat, stirring often, for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set roux aside.
- Melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a soup or stock pot..
- Add diced onions, carrots, celery, basil, parsley and chives.
- Cook diced vegetables and herbs about ten minutes.
- Add stock and potatoes.
- Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in milk.
- Return to simmer and whisk in roux until liquid is thickened and smooth.
- Simmer ten more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in sour cream and hot pepper sauce.
- Season to taste with salt and white ground pepper.
- Optional: garnish with fresh chopped herbs, like chives
You may also like: Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken Rice Soup w/Fresh Ginger)
gmail login says
I will try it tonight. I like the simple recipes that are great for you.
Susie Mandel says
Oooh, this sounds and looks delicious! And Charlie did an awesome job on his soup crock!
Liz says
We’re finally having a reprieve in the weather—I am so tired of the cold!! But I’m sure there will be another wintry blast in the future and this potato chowder sounds fabulous!!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
WOA – Charlie made that bowl??? I’m super impressed!!! Seriously – that young gentleman needs to start an etsy shop – I will be placing orders to keep him busy! Such a gorgeous bowl and WOA what a lusciously creamy chowder! I’m not the best at making a roux so I so appreciate your tip Allie and the link to the Pioneer woman’s version of it. Such a comforting meal to cosy up to the telly with on a cold night! Btw, I had a good chuckle when I read “the bone-chilling kind of cold that freezes your nose hairs when you peek out the door to see if the bird feeder needs refilling” I’m thinking my cold-intolerance makes this nose-hair freezing point way, way lower than yours – but I do have me a face mask for those temps (it was in the teens here a week or so ago and I broke my face mask out 🙂 But then it was in the 60s and 70s here this past weekend – am not complaining though, I love the heat and will revel in it when it comes! Hope y’all are staying warm and that remodeling is going well xoxo
Allie says
Shashi – thank you my friend for the kind words. We’re staying warm enough! Charlie def. needs to stay busy so perhaps an etsy shop could be a good thing…. hmmmm…Spring is just on the horizon. At least it is for YOU anyway! 🙂 I’m happy for you. A twinge jealous, but mostly happy. lol xo
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I love that bowl! Your son has talent and you’ve got a one of a kind treasure now! This soup does look like it would warm you right up. It looks delish too! Stay warm!!!
piknu says
This is what I need for this cold weather. I like all kind of chowder. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Ken L. says
I made this tonight! Super easy! Super delicious! I always mess up most recipes. The mistakes I made on this one was I added a full cup of celery and carrots. All it did was make the chowder heartier.
I resisted the urge to add salt and used a half cup of light sour cream. Turned out perfect!! My wife loved it! Toasted sourdough bread for dipping is a must!
Thank you!
Allie says
Hi Ken – So glad you and your wife loved this. This recipe has been in my family for some time and it originally came from my aunt in Wisconsin – she was so glad I shared it here. Thank you for your tip about the light sour cream. I have a hearty ham and cheese soup recipe here on the blog that you may also enjoy that uses sour cream too – really gives a nice thickness and flavor. So creamy! Many thanks for dropping by and have a super day!
Elisaa Watson says
I will try it tonight. I like the simple recipes that are great for you.