This thick and creamy, perfectly chunky, and easy to make fish chowder made with the best Copper River salmon gets a Thai makeover with flavors of coconut milk, fresh lemongrass, ginger, and kaffir lime, for a unique spin on a comfort food favorite.
In This Post
The Story Behind This Fish Chowder
This fish chowder, if it could talk, would have a long story to tell about a very short trip I was on that ended in minutes with a very quick fall.
This fish soup and I met on a rainy Alaskan night. There were no walks on the beach but we did get caught on the rain. The piรฑa coladas were on an entirely different continent and man oh man, how I wished I had champagne to kill the pain.
But this fish soup from Cordova, Alaska’s local Fishwives, and its subtle Thai-inspired flavors saved me instead.
I’ve been holding onto this fish chowder recipe and the story that goes along with it to share until the chill hit my bones. Finally, after what seems like an eternal season of raking fall’s leaves and mild weathered evening walks, the frigid temps are settling in and so here it is.
Cordova, Alaska is home to the watershed that feeds the famed Copper River Salmon that are flown in fresh to my local Whole Foods each summer after being fished by experienced and oftentimes lifelong fishermen, fisherwomen, and their children. It’s a family thing. You could say it’s in their blood.
I was invited on a 5-day trip to Cordova by Copper River Salmon and I was stoked. I was going to go fishing, I was going to see the wild frontier, I was going to see glaciers calving huge chunks of ice into the sea. It was going to be a trip to remember.
My 30-minute flight from Anchorage over Cordova’s cerulean blue water looked more like the Caribbean with its striking contrast against the deep green covered mountains and white fluffed clouds. I couldn’t even tell where the sky and water met. In my buckled in window seat, it was the expansive sea to my right, and across the aisle on my left were deep crevasses of mountains that reached to the sky and we flew right next to, so close you could almost touch them.
Tip: If you’re flying into Cordova, get a window seat on the left side of the plane and have your iPhone ready for plenty of snapping of pics.
Cordova is a small, quaint town. It’s exactly what you’d think an Alaskan fishing town would be like. The harbor is packed with fishing boats, the pharmacy resides inside the Radio Shack, and everyone wears rubber wellies (except me in sandals and running shoes) among the amazingly healthy and thick spruce and cedars even in July.
I felt like I’d walked into an episode ofย Northern Exposure.
It’s that sort of place where you romanticize moving to, to get out of the rat race and slow down. Where folks talk about salmon-berry picking outside of Orca Adventure Lodge (yes, salmon berries are a real thing!) and drivers give a friendly nod and finger wave when traveling down the town’s single road that starts at one end of town and ends one hour later where we met the boat that took us to the 5-story high Childs Glacierย and the Million Dollar Bridge that bridges both sides of the Copper River.
Copper River salmon use the river as a migratory path for reproducing some of the world’s tastiest salmon.ย Fish can travel 300 miles from the ocean up the river in 6-7 weeks. Then, the Copper River Delta glaciers feed the fish swimming into the ocean and the awaiting fisherman who try to catch them before they swim back upstream.
Loaded with a layer of fat so they can make the swim is what makes them buttery in flavor and high levels of omega 3 fatty acids.
And that’s why Copper River salmon makes one damn fine chowder.
It takes a watershed to raise a salmon, will all of its tributaries and small rivers that lead into the big rivers and eventually the ocean where the salmon are fished. Unbelievably,ย overย 1 million fish made up of 56 different stocks of sockeye salmonย made the migration for reproduction just this year, making the 26,000ย square miles of Alaska’s waterwaysโthe size of West Virginiaโthe producer of overย 50% of the world’s salmon.
The non-profit Copper River Watershed Project works with the habitat protection of the Copper River Delta and the local fishermen who are governed and monitored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Fish and Wildlife technicians like Shane Shepherd spend the fishing season months in a shack the size of a backyard storage shed for 8 hours a day, 24 hours a day counting the fish that swim upstream to spawn with highly developed sonar tracking systems and good old fashioned counters.
These are they guys that determine when the fishermen can fish based on a combination of technology and tenacity. They say how many fish can be pulled from the sea.
And everyone makes it work together to make the whole process very focused on sustainability.
photo: A Thought for Food
And that is where this story takes a twist.
After meeting and learning from a handful of fishermen and seeing their boats firsthand on the docks of Cordova, we began the retreat back to dry land and head to the evening’s festivities of a potluck we were to join with a group of Cordova women called the Fisherwives.
And that’s when I turned from the boat and tripped on a gill net being repaired by a fisherman. I didn’t see it coming and didn’t feel it happening until I was splat, full force, flat down on the dock. I saved my iPhone in my right hand, but my left wrist was broken, along with the radial head of my right elbow and a fracture in my knee cap.
My trip came to an end after just 24 hours in Cordova. But not before a trip to the very competent and kind Cordova Medical Center who took A+ care of me and my lameness and determined it best for me to head back home to Utah for surgery to repair my broken wrist.
I thought I might be able to make it to the potluck dinner being put on by local foodie Mikal Berry, the proprietor and local’s favorite behind the Cordova food truck called, yep, Fishwives. Hey, Cordova has a food truck!ย So sweet Blair, my helpful PR rep who shepherded me to the ER, agreed to give it a go and in then end I couldn’t get out of her truck but she ran inside and got me something to take back to the lodge.
With the lodge’s restaurant closed and my inability to move much, having a bowl of Mikal’s Fish Chowder, room temperature and at about 2 a.m. after my first pain-killer enhanced nap, made me very, very happy.
It was the best chowder I’d ever eaten. And at first I couldn’t figure out why. But then I had an ah-ha moment. Even in pain I was disecting my food. I’m surprised I didn’t Instagram it.
Coconut milk. And a taste of lemongrass mingling with chunks of potato and salmon.
It was lush. It was thick. It was exactly what the doctor ordered and the best wayโif I had toโend my 1-day stay in Alaska.
Thank you Mikal for sharing this recipe with me, so I can share it here today. And thank you Nelly and Blair and Copper River Salmon for making my trip one I’ll never forget.
What’s in This Fish Chowder?
This salmon chowder recipe requires quite a few ingredients to produce those signature Thai flavors, but I pinky promise it’s easy to throw together. Here’s what I used in this fish chowder recipe:
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Thick-cut bacon
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Bay leaves
- Galangal
- Cayenne pepper
- Celery
- Carrots
- White wine
- Red potatoes
- Vegetable stock
- Lemongrass
- Kaffir lime leaves
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Coconut milk
- Copper River salmon
How to Make Fish Chowder
To make this creamy fish chowder recipe, you first need to whisk together the melted butter and flour to make a roux (this is what helps thicken up the salmon chowder).
Next, you’ll throw the diced bacon into a skillet and cook it until crisp. Add in the veggies and continue cooking until they’ve softened, then stir in the wine.
The potatoes are added next and cooked until slightly softened, then in go the remaining ingredients. Once the soup is hot and creamy, add the salmon in last and cook just until done.
What Type of Wine Should I Use?
Any dry white wine will work. Pick a wine you’d happily drink and avoid buying anything labeled as “cooking wine.”
Is There a Heavy Cream Substitute I Can Use?
You could likely use half and half instead of heavy cream. Don’t use all whole milk in this fish chowder recipe, as that would result in a watery chowder.
Tips for Making Fish Chowder
Fresh ginger is a must in this salmon chowder recipe, as it adds a punch of fresh flavor to it. Plus, fresh ginger pairs perfectly with the coconut and lime flavors in this fish soup.
If you can’t find kaffir lime leaves, regular lime zest will work as well.
Most importantly, don’t add the raw salmon to the fish soup until the very end. If you add the salmon in too early, it’ll be overcooked by the time you’re ready to serve this fish chowder.
More Hearty Soup Recipes You’ll Love
- Market Street Clam Chowder
- Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
- Quinoa and Cauliflower Chowder
- Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup
- The Best Cheeseburger Soup
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo andย tag me onย Instagramย with #foodiecrusheats.
Creamy Fish Chowder
Ingredients
- ยผ cup unsalted butter
- ยฝ cup all-purpose flour
- ยผ pound thick bacon , diced
- 1 yellow onion , roughly chopped
- ยฝ head of garlic , finely diced or pressed
- 1 3- inch finger of ginger , peeled and diced
- 2 bay leaves
- Galanagal , to taste
- Cayenne pepper , to taste
- 2 stalks celery , sliced
- 2 carrots , peeled and sliced
- 4-8 ounces white wine
- 5-6 red potatoes , unpeeled and roughly chopped
- 3 cups vegetable stock (chicken or fish stock also work)
- 2 stalks lemongrass , cleaned and smashed
- 2 kaffir lime leaves ( or 1 heaping teaspoon lime zest)
- ยฝ cup heavy cream
- 1 ยฝ cups whole milk
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- 2 15- ounce cans coconut milk
- 1 pound raw Copper River salmon , skinned and shredded or rustically cut
- Cilantro leaves and red jalapeรฑo , for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, whisking continually, or until the flour browns lightly and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Slowly cook the bacon in a heavy stockpot over medium heat until the bacon fat is rendered and the bacon begins to crisp. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, bay leaves, galangal and cayenne pepper. Then add in the carrots and celery, stir and sautรฉ until the vegetables become soft.
- Stir in the wine and cook until the wine has reduced and absorbed into the veggies. Add the potatoes and sautรฉ for 3-4 minutes. Add the stock, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves or zest, milk and the cream.
- Raise to medium high heat and bring mixture to a low boil. Stir in the roux and cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-8 minutes. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- You can cool at this point and save for later, or add the coconut milk and any extra seasonings to taste.
- When the soup is hot and creamy, add the chopped fish and simmer for a few minutes until the fish is just done and still tender.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Salmon Recipes to Make
- Thai Curried Salmon
- Creamy Pasta with Salmon and Asparagus
- 10-Minute Maple-Crusted Salmon
- Baked Salmon with Creme Fraiche
- Mustard Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health?ย Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.
Follow me onย Instagram,ย Facebook,ย Pinterestย andย Twitterย for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
My trip was provided by Copper River Salmon. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own. ย
I am broken
Resulting to passing by your substance I take in another system of movement which is genuinely effective for good prosperity. An obligation of appreciation is all together for this task.
Tom Cohenour
What a superb article! Interesting, funny, tragic, informative, and heartwarming. I lived in Cordova for two glorious years and worked as the Director of Public Works. The people, scenery, and food were all terrific. And the fishing!!! We’d leave town at 6:30 AM, catch our limit of salmon, and still be to work by 8:00 AM.
komal
This is very nice and amazing
Android Application Development Service
Thanx for sharing such useful post keep it up :)
Yourbestwriters
I am delighted that I have come across this blog about food lover Crush. This is a very pleasant post that I have completely take pleasure in reading. I had to note down how well you have selected your words to suit the matter.
Marie
I just made this for dinner tonight and it was sooo good! My boyfriend went back for seconds and thirds! I took a picture of it in the pot and noticed I have the same pot as the one in your picture. Funny!
I’m planning to freeze some for when we have a cold day. This recipe makes a large pot. I took the leftover salmon skin and fried it in some butter in a skillet to add to the chowder, which had a really nice texture. Next time I might add a little more carrots and celery, but overall this recipe is awesome. Thank you!
Lynn
How fortunate I was to have stumbled (no pun intended) on your site. I truly wish you a speedy recovery. I can’t wait to try your Fish Chowder with Copper River Salmon. This is perfect to warm you up and give us the extra boost of omega 3. I enjoyed reading about your adventure in Cordova. My husband and I spent the summers of 2007, 2009, 2011 in Alaska. I want to return so bad and hope we have that chance. We drove our motorhome from Florida north to Alaska along the AlCan Highway. The best part of going to Alaska is the drive, taking your time and enjoying life along the way.. We went as far north as Fairbanks but also went to Anchorage, Homer, Homer Spit, Soldotna, Valdez, Seward, etc. When you return don’t forget about Denali National Park which was one of our favorite places. We visited several times each year staying at Reilly Creek Campground (the front country campground) and also drove 30 miles into the park to stay at Teklanika Campground. That is the end of the road for all vehicles except the park service green monster buses that will take you to the end of the road at Kantishna. The sites and wildlife are incredible. Thanks for letting me share my memories of Alaska. Happy and Healthy New Year.
What a sweet comment! I’m so glad you had such an amazing time and thanks for sharing your tips. I’ll definitely take them if I return to Alaska soon!
bev @ bevcooks
Oh MAN! I’m so sorry to hear about your arm, Heidi! At least that chowder is super sexy.
Maria
Looks delicious! Gorgeous photos – thanks for sharing. Hope the wrist is healing well ;)
It’s healing! Slow but sure. Thank you!
Patti
I love chowder and This sounds incredible. I love the idea of Thai flavors. Can hardly wait to try it.
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Oh my gosh, I was not expecting that twist in the end. You poor thing!! There is absolutely nothing worse than a trip you’ve been looking forward to ruined. You managed to capture some breathtaking photos in your 24 hours there, and hopefully being able to try and later replicate this soup helped ease the pain a touch.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Looks like such a magical place. Sorry your trip got cut short. Boo. This chowder looks perfectly cozy for winter.
[email protected]
So pinning this! It looks completely amazing!