Hearty Potato and Sausage Chowder Recipe for Cozy Nights

Steaming bowls of creamy potato and sausage chowder warm even the coldest winter nights with hearty, soul-satisfying comfort.

Rich, silky textures blend perfectly in this classic one-pot meal that beckons hungry diners.

Smoky sausage chunks nestled among tender potato pieces create an irresistible combination of flavors.

Bold seasonings dance through each spoonful, promising deep satisfaction with every bite.

Robust and filling, this chowder transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable dining experience.

You’ll want seconds of this remarkably comforting dish that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.

Grab a ladle and savor every delicious spoonful of this rustic, flavor-packed chowder.

Why You’ll Want To Try Sausage Chowder

• Quick and Easy Comfort Meal: This hearty chowder delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for home cooks seeking delicious, satisfying meals without complex techniques.
• One-Pot Dish: Streamline your cooking process by preparing everything in a single pot, reducing cleanup time and making meal preparation hassle-free for busy individuals or families.
• Nutrient-Packed Delight: Packed with protein from sausage, vegetables, and wild rice, this chowder offers a balanced, filling meal that provides substantial nutrition and keeps hunger at bay.
• Versatile Recipe Adaptation: Easily customize the chowder by swapping protein types, adjusting spice levels, or incorporating different vegetables to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

What’s In Sausage Potato Chowder

• Sausage: Juicy and flavorful meat that adds richness to the chowder.

• Onion, Celery, Carrot: Fresh vegetables that create a delicious flavor base.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings depth to the dish.
• Potatoes: Hearty and comforting vegetable that makes the chowder thick.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb for garnishing.

• Wild Rice: Nutty and nutritious grain that adds texture.
• Chicken Stock: Savory liquid that builds the soup's foundation.
• Bay Leaves: Subtle herb that enhances overall flavor.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that complements the sausage.
• Flour: Thickening agent for the chowder.
• Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings for balanced taste.

• Cream: Rich and smooth ingredient that makes the chowder creamy.
• Cooking Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and prevent sticking.

How To Make Sausage Chowder

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Remove the sausage from its casing and place into a soup pot with hot oil.

Use a spatula to break up the meat and fry until golden and completely cooked through.

Transfer the browned sausage to a separate plate.

If the sausage produces excess fat, drain most of it, keeping about 2 tablespoons in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

• Chopped onion
• Sliced celery
• Sliced carrot

Cook these vegetables over low heat for 10 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and thyme, and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and mix with the fat until it forms a smooth paste.

Continue cooking for a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

Return the browned sausage to the pot.

Gradually pour in chicken stock, stirring to create a smooth mixture.

Add bay leaves and wild rice.

Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add cubed potatoes and cook for an additional 15 minutes until the wild rice and potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.

Allow the cream to warm through.

Remove from heat.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Pro Tips For Sausage Chowder

• Choose high-quality, flavorful sausage like Italian or spicy andouille for deeper taste profile and better overall chowder depth.
• Rinse wild rice before adding to prevent excess starchiness and ensure separate, fluffy grains in the final dish.
• Drain excess sausage fat carefully to control richness while maintaining robust flavor foundation for the chowder.
• Cook onions, celery, and carrots slowly over low heat to develop sweet, mellow undertones that enhance the chowder's complexity.
• Add cream at the end and warm gently to prevent curdling and maintain smooth, silky texture in the final chowder.

Save Sausage Chowder For Later

• Transfer leftover chowder to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Portion the chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing if cream is added, as it may separate when thawed.
• Gently warm the chowder in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock or water to restore the original consistency if the soup has thickened. Avoid boiling to prevent cream from breaking.
• Discard the chowder if it smells off or shows signs of spoilage. Always taste and check the texture before serving reheated soup.

Pairings With Sausage Chowder

• Savor Rustic Brew Companions: Hearty Beer Pairing
• Select a robust amber ale or dark stout that complements the chowder's rich, meaty flavors. These beer styles match the sausage's smoky notes and stand up to the soup's creamy texture without overwhelming its delicate ingredients.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Textural Contrast
• Serve warm, crusty sourdough or rustic whole grain bread to soak up the chowder's luxurious broth. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior provide a delightful textural counterpoint to the smooth, creamy soup.
• Wine Whispers: Elegant Liquid Match
• Choose a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Viognier to harmonize with the chowder's complex flavors. These wines offer subtle oakiness and enough acidity to cut through the soup's richness while enhancing its hearty character.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Bright Garnish Accent
• Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or chives directly before serving to introduce a bright, clean note that lifts the chowder's heavy profile. These herbs add a light, fresh dimension that balances the dish's deep, comforting flavors.

Creative Chowder Recipe Ideas

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to thicken the chowder while maintaining a smooth consistency.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap pork sausage with plant-based sausage or smoked tofu crumbles, using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a meat-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute wild rice and potatoes with cauliflower rice and diced turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving the hearty texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of traditional dairy cream, and choose a dairy-free sausage option for those with lactose sensitivities.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best for this chowder?

Spicy Italian or mild breakfast sausage are excellent choices. The sausage adds rich flavor and depth to the chowder.

• Can I make this chowder gluten-free?

Yes, substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Just mix the alternative thickener with the same technique as the original recipe.

• Is wild rice necessary for the recipe?

Wild rice adds unique texture and nutty flavor, but you can replace it with regular rice or barley if needed. The key is maintaining the hearty, robust character of the chowder.

• How can I make this chowder more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach during the cooking process. This increases the nutrient profile without changing the core recipe’s flavor profile.

Potato And Sausage Chowder Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy potato and sausage chowder brings hearty warmth to winter dining tables with its rich, comforting blend of savory ingredients. Potato chunks and sausage nestled in smooth broth promise delicious satisfaction that will make you crave seconds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 400g (6) sausages
• 750 ml/3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 potatoes, medium, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons plain/all-purpose flour
• 100g/1/2 cup wild rice
• 375 ml/1 1/2 cups single/light cream or half and half
• salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Liberate sausage from its casing and sizzle in a soup pot until golden and thoroughly cooked, creating a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer the meat to a separate plate, reserving any flavorful drippings.
2. Introduce chopped onions, celery, and sliced carrots into the same pot, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence over gentle heat for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and thyme, stirring briefly to awaken their intense flavors without burning.
4. Dust the vegetable mixture with flour, creating a luxurious roux by mixing thoroughly until a smooth paste forms, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
5. Return the sausage to the pot and gradually introduce chicken stock, stirring consistently to prevent lumps and ensure a harmonious blend of ingredients.
6. Add bay leaves and wild rice, elevating the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and rice to partially cook.
7. Introduce cubed potatoes and continue simmering for 15 minutes until both wild rice and potatoes reach perfect tenderness.
8. Pour in cream, creating a silky texture, and season with salt and pepper to enhance the complex flavor profile.
9. Warm the cream briefly, then remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
10. Serve immediately, savoring the rich, comforting layers of this rustic chowder.

Notes

• Customize sausage type by using turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences.
• Control spiciness by selecting mild or hot sausage varieties depending on personal heat tolerance.
• Remove sausage casing carefully to ensure smooth texture and even cooking throughout the chowder.
• Drain excess sausage fat to reduce overall calories and prevent greasy consistency in the final dish.
• Substitute wild rice with quinoa or barley for gluten-free or alternative grain options.
• Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
• Use low-sodium chicken stock to manage salt content and allow better seasoning control.
• Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for increased nutritional value and color.
• Enhance creaminess by using half-and-half or coconut milk for dairy-free alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg