Soup vs. Chowder — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Soup is a primarily liquid dish made by combining ingredients such as meat and vegetables with stock, while chowder is a type of thick, creamy soup often containing seafood, potatoes, and cream.
Difference Between Soup and Chowder
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Soup serves as a broad category for liquid-based dishes made by cooking ingredients like vegetables, meat, or fish in stock or water. Whereas chowder is a specific type of soup known for its richness and chunky texture, typically thickened with cream and flour.
Soup can be clear and brothy, such as chicken noodle soup, or it can be pureed and smooth like tomato soup. On the other hand, chowder, such as clam chowder or corn chowder, is characteristically creamy and hearty, often featuring potatoes and dairy as base ingredients.
The ingredients in soup can vary widely, offering a vast range of flavors depending on the cultural or regional recipes. Conversely, chowders are traditionally more uniform in their base of cream or milk, and often include a roux or other thickening agents to achieve a dense consistency.
Soup is typically served as a starter or a light meal option and is valued for its comforting qualities. However, chowder is usually substantial enough to serve as a main course, often accompanied by bread or crackers.
While soups can be served at varying temperatures, including chilled versions like gazpacho, chowders are generally served hot, making them particularly popular in colder climates or seasons.
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Comparison Chart
Base
Can be water, broth, or stock
Typically milk, cream, or a roux-based mixture
Texture
Ranges from thin and brothy to thick and pureed
Characteristically thick and chunky
Common Ingredients
Vegetables, meats, legumes, pasta, rice
Seafood, potatoes, corn, cream
Serving Temperature
Can be hot or cold
Usually served hot
Typical Serving
Starter or light meal
Often a hearty main course
Compare with Definitions
Soup
A liquid dish made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables with various added ingredients.
She enjoyed a warm bowl of vegetable soup on a cold evening.
Chowder
Often thickened with a roux or by reducing to enhance its creaminess.
The base of the chowder was thickened with flour and butter.
Soup
Can be made into a smooth, creamy texture through blending.
He preferred his pumpkin soup pureed.
Chowder
A thick, creamy soup typically containing seafood, potatoes, and milk or cream.
New England clam chowder is a popular variety with clams and potatoes.
Soup
A dish often served as an appetizer or first course.
The dinner started with a light mushroom soup.
Chowder
Known for its chunky texture and comforting qualities.
She made a corn chowder that was especially hearty.
Soup
Served in various consistencies and flavors depending on the recipe.
The restaurant's menu featured a spicy lentil soup.
Chowder
Usually includes a small variety of diced vegetables for enhanced flavor.
The chowder had bits of onion and celery.
Soup
Often used for medicinal or comforting purposes when ill.
Chicken soup is commonly given to people with colds.
Chowder
Served hot, it's a staple in many coastal regions, especially in colder weather.
He enjoyed a hot bowl of seafood chowder on a rainy day.
Soup
Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth.
Chowder
Chowder is a type of soup or stew often prepared with milk or cream and thickened with broken crackers, crushed ship biscuit, or a roux. Variations of chowder can be seafood or vegetable.
Soup
A liquid food prepared from meat, fish, or vegetable stock combined with various other ingredients and often containing solid pieces.
Chowder
A thick soup containing fish or shellfish, especially clams, and vegetables, such as potatoes and onions, in a milk or tomato base.
Soup
Dense fog.
Chowder
A soup similar to this seafood dish
Corn chowder.
Soup
Nitroglycerine.
Chowder
A thick, creamy soup or stew.
Fish chowder
Soup
Primordial soup.
Chowder
A stew, particularly fish or seafood, not necessarily thickened.
Soup
A chaotic or unfortunate situation.
Chowder
(transitive) To make (seafood, etc.) into chowder.
Soup
Any of various dishes commonly made by combining liquids, such as water or stock with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables, that contribute flavor and texture.
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup.
Chowder
A dish made of fresh fish or clams, biscuit, onions, etc., stewed together.
Soup
(countable) A serving of such a dish, typically in a bowl.
Chowder
A seller of fish.
Soup
(uncountable) The liquid part of such a dish; the broth.
Chowder
To make a chowder of.
Soup
(figuratively) Any mixture or substance suggestive of soup consistency.
Chowder
A thick soup or stew made with milk and bacon and onions and potatoes
Soup
(slang) Thick fog or cloud (also pea soup).
Soup
Or gelignite, especially when used for safe-cracking.
Soup
(cant) dope (an illicit drug used for making horses run faster or to change their personality).
Soup
(photography) Processing chemicals into which film is dipped, such as developer.
Soup
(biology) A liquid or gelatinous substrate, especially the mixture of organic compounds that is believed to have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.
Primordial soup
Soup
An unfortunate situation; trouble, problems (a fix, a mess); chaos.
Soup
(surfing) The foamy portion of a wave.
Soup
Alternative form of sup
Soup
(uncommon) To feed: to provide with soup or a meal.
Soup
(photography) To develop (film) in a (chemical) developing solution.
Soup
(obsolete) To proselytize by feeding the impoverished as long as they listen to one's preaching.
Soup
Alternative form of sup
Soup
(obsolete) To sweep.
Soup
A liquid food of many kinds, usually made by boiling meat and vegetables, or either of them, in water, - commonly seasoned or flavored; strong broth.
Soup
To sup or swallow.
Soup
To breathe out.
Soup
To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop.
Soup
Liquid food especially of meat or fish or vegetable stock often containing pieces of solid food
Soup
Any composition having a consistency suggestive of soup
Soup
An unfortunate situation;
We're in the soup now
Soup
Dope (a racehorse)
Common Curiosities
Can soup be considered a full meal?
While some soups are light and meant as starters, others, like hearty bean soups, are filling enough to be considered a meal.
Are there any cold versions of chowder?
Chowder is traditionally served hot and does not typically have cold versions.
Can vegan versions of chowder be made?
Yes, vegan chowders can use plant-based milks and creams, and omit seafood or meat.
What makes chowder different from other soups?
Chowder is distinguished by its thick, creamy texture and the common use of dairy and potatoes.
Does chowder need to be creamy?
Traditional chowders are creamy, but some variations might use a tomato base, as seen in Manhattan clam chowder.
Is chowder always made with seafood?
While seafood is common, there are also varieties like corn chowder that do not include seafood.
What is the best way to thicken a soup?
Soups can be thickened with ingredients like cream, blended vegetables, or flour-based roux.
How can leftover soup be best stored?
Soup can be refrigerated for several days or frozen for long-term storage.
What type of bread pairs well with chowder?
Dense, crusty breads like sourdough or rye are excellent with chowder.
What are common spices used in soup?
Soups often include spices such as garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper.
What is a simple soup for a beginner cook?
Vegetable broth-based soups with pasta or rice are simple and forgiving for beginners.
Why is chowder so popular in New England?
Its ingredients, like clams and dairy, are abundant in the region, making it a local staple.
What is a common mistake when making soup?
Over-seasoning early in the cooking process can be a mistake, as flavors intensify over time.
How can chowder be made healthier?
Reducing the cream and using more vegetables can make chowder healthier while still hearty.
Are there gluten-free options for chowder?
Gluten-free chowders can be thickened with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blends instead of traditional flour.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
