Making Better DishesMaking Better Dishes

Oyster crackers are one of the more traditional options for adding a little crunch and flavor to clam chowder. You can change things up and add some unique mix-ins to the soup. As you order a 1 quart premade New England clam chowder soup, learn about various mix-ins that may become your new go-to option every time you eat.

1. Jalapeno Pepper Slices

Add a little kick to your soup with the addition of some jalapeno pepper slices. You can slice down a pepper into small circular shapes and drop them right into the soup. To help contain the spice, try to limit the slices to around five for each bowl you serve. The peppers will add a kick to each bite of soup, especially as you stir the slices in.

You can help control the spice level with the number of seeds you use in the soup. When you cut the jalapeno pepper, discard extra seeds to reduce the spice. The peppers not only add some spice, but they create a nice crunch with each bite.

2. Cucumber Chunks

Premade New England clam chowder already contains a lot of fresh flavors, but you can enhance the freshness even further with cucumber chunks. Peel a cucumber and then slice it down into small chunks. Mix the chunks into the prepared soup. The texture and crunch is a nice topper and does not add too many calories in the process.

3. Tortilla Strips

Consider tortilla strips as an ideal alternative to using Oyster crackers. Traditionally used in salads, the strips will stay crunchy and come in various flavors to enhance the bites of soup you have. The strips are easy to break apart and will compliment the soup well while you eat.

4. Croutons

Another salad topping you can use with clam chowder is croutons. The thickness and crunch of a crouton mix well with clam chowder because the crouton will not get too soggy. You can choose from traditional croutons or add some flavor with options like ranch, southwest, or honey-flavored croutons. A small handful is more than enough to use in a regular bowl of chowder.

5. Cheese Crisps

Cheese crisps can be purchased in a package or baked yourself using a blend of shredded cheeses. The crisps add a crunch to clam chowder and will infuse the soup with some unique flavors. If you have bigger cheese crisps, you can dip them into the soup and enjoy individual bites instead of mixing them in completely.

After trying out the mix-ins, you also have the option to mix in more than one option at the same time.