Salmon Dill Chowder is ideal for this seasonal bridge between winter and summer we call spring. Creamy broth, luscious wild salmon, and hearty potatoes deliver without the usual long-simmering aspect of soup.
Not intended to feed an army or freeze for later, this chowder recipe for a quick fix of comfort when spring temperatures dip back toward winter.
Spring weather in Colorado swings wildly from one day to the next, so a forecast of snow is no surprise to those on the Front Range through May. Blustering wind and grey clouds cannot dampen our enthusiasm for the green mist of budding trees filling the skyline.
Tender feet hidden away in bulky socks and slippers are eager to slip into sandals once more and soak in sunbeams. Until then, we fill our menu with grilling favorites and comfort food like Salmon Dill Chowder for whatever way the wind blows.
Salmon Dill Chowder
Ingredients
- 1 pound wild salmon fillet
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon Paul Prudhomme Blackened Redfish Magic , or other favorite Cajun seasoning
- 6 slices bacon , cut across the slices into 1/4" strips
- 3/4 cup chopped onion , about 1/2 large onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic , or 2 teaspoon jarred garlic
- 3 ribs celery , diced, about 1 1/2 cup
- 4 medium red potatoes , washed, unpeeled, cut into 1/4" cubes, about 4 cups
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill fronds -- chopped , or 1-2 teaspoons dried dill, added 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper -- or ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Brush skin-side of the salmon with melted butter and place skin-side down in the pot. Brush the salmon flesh with butter and sprinkle with blackened seasoning. (Reserve remaining butter.) Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a platter and set aside. While the fish is cooking, prep bacon and vegetables.
- In the same pot, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp (about 5 minutes); transfer to paper towels to drain. Continue to prep remaining vegetables while bacon cooks.
- Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons fat from pan and add the onion. Cook onion over medium heat until just beginning to brown at the edges, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, potatoes, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. (Add a little bacon fat if pan seems too dry.)
- Stir-in stock (more can be added so the vegetables are covered in stock) and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potatoes are almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add milk, bring the soup back to a simmer, cover and cook until potatoes are tender, about 8 minutes.
- Break up salmon into bite-size pieces and add to the soup with any accumulated juices from the plate. Add half the bacon, dill, pepper, remaining melted butter, and simmer gently 3-4 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust dill, salt, and pepper, to taste.
- Ladle into warmed bowls, garnish with remaining bacon, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Penny says
May 3, 2019 at 7:05 amIt took me a little longer than I expected, but I’m not great at timing fish. Loved the soup!
Hmmm says
June 28, 2016 at 5:18 pmI can’t find a single comment that says this recipe TASTES good or bad. Just a bunch of “looks great” comments. Not useful in any way.
Anyone ever eat it? Or is that just crazy talk
Judy Purcell says
June 28, 2016 at 5:29 pmHi there! I sometimes wonder the same thing when looking for recipes, but often just have to trust the blog if I’m already familiar with it. Of course, then there’s the risk of trying any new recipe. If there is something in particular you’re looking for in a Salmon chowder, like creaminess, light texture, clean flavor, just ask and I’ll be honest.
Hope that helps. And I do hope you try it and will take the time to comment and let me know what you think.
Nusrat Azim says
May 3, 2013 at 10:38 amYour Chowder looks so creamy-dreamy-delicious! Gotta try it tonight 🙂
Pure Complex says
April 30, 2013 at 8:42 amI was headed to your Hearth and Soul post and somehow I clicked on this by mistake. But I’m so happy I did. This chowder is AMAZING. I want to make this today.
Judy Purcell says
April 30, 2013 at 8:57 amAh a serendipitous detour I would say. 🙂
Hotly Spiced says
April 29, 2013 at 4:29 pmWhat a great looking soup and it would have so much flavour to it with all the seafood and bacon and potatoes – a complete meal in itself! xx
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
April 22, 2013 at 10:08 amYour Salmon and Dill chowder looks fantastic – a deliciously comforting meal in a bowl! I like the addition of the bacon and all the lovely flavours you have used. Our weather has been really variable this year, with wild temperature swings and a lot more snow than we are used to. I’ve been grateful to have been travelling so much 🙂
Judy Purcell says
April 22, 2013 at 11:36 amThanks April, it is a comforting soup. Sounds like the weather there has been like ours here in CO — high of 60° today, snow tomorrow — it’s crazy hard to always know what to plan to fix for dinner.
Tandy says
April 3, 2013 at 11:51 pmAs we slip into winter, I can imagine making this dish and enjoying it! I think with a local fish as salmon is not easily available here 🙂
Judy Purcell says
April 4, 2013 at 6:53 amDill is a lovely companion to just about any type of fish, so I don’t think you can go wrong there. Tandy, thanks for stopping by and commenting, really appreciate that. 🙂
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
April 2, 2013 at 2:17 pmWOWOWOW. Seriously, this salmon dill chowder looks absolutely incredible. I love chowders and salmon and dill are amazing together!
Judy Purcell says
April 3, 2013 at 7:06 amThanks Joanne! And thanks for taking the time to comment, I do hope you try the chowder.
Jen says
April 2, 2013 at 8:37 amThis sounds and looks delcious, I love salmon and dill but would never have thought to use them in a soup. yum!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
April 2, 2013 at 4:58 amWhat a delicious looking soup this is! I’ve never had salmon in a soup before, but I think this chowder would be wonderful. Yum!
Judy Purcell says
April 2, 2013 at 6:36 amHi Amy, thanks for stopping by, it was nice to visit your blog too. It is a delicious soup and helps ‘stretch’ the salmon to feed more people. I hope you try it. 🙂
Debbie @ Easy Natural Food says
April 25, 2012 at 4:56 pmYour chowder looks sooooo good! I love a good chowder, and I happen to have bought some salmon yesterday! Yippee, I’m going to make this! Thanks for sharing this with Sunday Night Soup Night, look forward to seeing you again soon!
mjskit says
April 6, 2012 at 4:17 pmThe tulip photo is SO very Spring and SO beautiful! I’m loving this warmer than normal weather and it can get even warmer for me. Your chowder looks delicious with tons of flavor! Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!
sportsglutton says
April 4, 2012 at 8:10 pmSounds like the perfect treat to enjoy during the spring months. 🙂
Greg says
April 4, 2012 at 6:10 pmThis looks wonderful. I wish it was soup weather here. We skipped spring and catapaulted into summer.
Caroline says
April 4, 2012 at 11:34 amWow, the color of that chowder is gorgeous, Judy! Did someone say….bacon?? haha yes please!
Raymund says
April 4, 2012 at 12:06 amI think I can do this tonight, I have most of the ingredients and some salmon left
Barb Bamber says
April 3, 2012 at 8:06 pmSalmon, bacon and tomatoes.. perfect soup combination!!
Geni says
April 3, 2012 at 1:15 pmOh, this salmon chowder looks so full of the good things in life and so very delicious. Glad you got to enjoy your fleeting moments of Spring. They will be back soon…
Mary says
April 3, 2012 at 7:34 amI love the ingredients you’ve used to make your soup. It really sounds wonderful. It sounds like you enjoyed the time away last week. It is good to have you back. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Judy says
April 3, 2012 at 8:00 amThank you, Mary, it was nice to have a break and good to be back.
Jane says
April 3, 2012 at 7:11 amI love salmon and dill – this looks good! Are you loving the snow this morning? 🙂 Glad you had some time to relax!
Judy says
April 3, 2012 at 7:59 amActually, we are loving the snow since we’ve not seen much this winter and conditions are quite dry. So grateful it waited until after spring break though!