This low carb Shrimp Chowder is hearty and satisfying. Full of tender shrimp and crisp bacon, it’s the perfect keto comfort food for a chilly evening. Ready in 30 minutes!
Soup season is here! And I for one plan to make the most of it with plenty of yummy, comforting keto soup recipes.
We’ve had a relatively warm fall so far, but now the chill and rain are setting in again. And I find myself thumbing through my book, Keto Soups and Stews, in search tasty warm comfort food.
You can’t go wrong with a shrimp chowder recipe full of bacon, cream, and a little cajun seasoning. Oh and some diced turnip in place of potatoes. I use them in other recipes like Keto Beef Stew and Keto Seafood Chowder, and you honestly can’t tell that they aren’t potatoes!
Why you will love this recipe
This shrimp chowder is a hit with almost everyone who tries it. Even my picky kids! It takes readily available ingredients and only 30 minutes to make, so it’s easy enough for a busy weeknight.
Even people who swear they detest turnip end up loving this recipe. Don’t believe me? Just read the reviews! Five stars almost across the board. Mind you, you can sub in other things like rutabaga, radish, or cauliflower instead.
And this creamy, rich soup has only 5.6g carbs per serving, so it’s a perfect meal for anyone following a keto or low carb diet.
Reader reviews
“This was easy and absolutely delicious. The whole family agrees that this is a keeper. We ended up adding Tabasco to our bowls to spice the soup up according to individual tastes, and the flavor combination was great.” — Alina
“Oh. My. This was AMAZING and taste like a chowder that you would order at a restaurant!! I’m excited to use the base for clams and fish as well! Thanks!!” — Amanda
“Oh my gosh, this is wonderful! Had it tonight with biscuits and it was a hit! Even the hubs said he never would have known the turnip wasn’t potato! Thank you for your wonderful work for all of us!!!” — Patti A.
Ingredients you need
- Bacon: You can also use pancetta or even diced ham.
- Turnip: Turnips are a wonderful low carb substitute for potatoes in soups and stews. But you can also use chopped cauliflower, rutabaga or daikon radish.
- Heavy whipping cream: You can also use coconut cream, but it will add a slight coconut flavor to the soup.
- Shrimp: You can buy already peeled and deveined shrimp or do it yourself. Keep the tails on or off, depending on your preference. Any size shrimp works in this recipe. Just remember that small shrimp cook faster than large.
- Cajun seasoning: Some Cajun seasoning has a lot of added salt. Be sure to taste your soup after adding the seasoning, before you add any additional salt and pepper. We really like Slap Ya Mama seasoning blend.
- Fresh parsley: I like to garnish with a little bit of parsley. You can also use green onions.
- Kitchen staples: Chicken broth, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper
Step-by-step directions
- In a large pot cook the bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the chopped turnips and onion to the pan and sauté until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or so.
- Pour in the chicken broth and simmer until the turnip is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and the shrimp and simmer until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, another 3 minutes or so. Add the Cajun seasoning and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with the bacon and chopped parsley upon serving.
Expert tips
Shrimp cooks quickly and can turn rubbery when over cooked. That’s why you add it at the very end, when the turnip is tender. When the shrimps turns pink, you are ready to serve.
Some people prefer the chowder to be a little thicker. If so, I recommend adding ½ to ¾ teaspoon glucomannan. You can remove a little of the broth at the end, whisk in the konjac root powder, and stir it back into the pot of chowder.
For my readers who prefer theirs with more of a kick, serve with some of your favorite hot sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shrimp is an excellent choice for low carb or keto diets. It is full of protein and has 0.2g carbs per serving. It’s also remarkably easy to cook, making it perfect for healthy meals.
Classic shrimp chowder has a lot of carbs from the addition of flour and potatoes. However, this lightened up chowder recipe has only 5.6g of carbs and 0.6g of fiber per serving. That comes to 5g net carbs per ¾ cup servig.
Leftover chowder can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this soup as cream based soups split and don’t reheat well.
What to serve with Shrimp Chowder
Keto Soups and Stews
Easy Shrimp Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium turnip cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the turnip and onion to the pan and saute until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or so. Pour in the chicken broth and simmer until the turnip is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and the shrimp and simmer until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, another 3 minutes or so. Add the Cajun seasoning and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with the bacon and chopped parsley upon serving.
Geri says
Lovely. Really nice the next day too
Hellen says
do you use yellow or white turnips
tysvm
Carolyn says
It doesn’t matter.
Dumas Lori says
Delicious! This is a keeper!
Audrey Joann Magnuson says
Can I use already cooked shrimp instead for the recipe?
Carolyn says
Yes, but add in only at the very last minute until warmed through.
Betsy says
Do you think radishes would work as a sub for turnips ? Thanks – love all of your recipes !
Carolyn says
Absolutely!
Nancy says
This recipe is an absolute keeper!! My hubby and son raved! I used Old Bay also instead of Cajun seasoning. I’ve been using turnips in place of potatoes for years and love them. Bravo Carolyn!
Maria says
We loved this chowder! I subbed out the whipping cream with coconut milk and did use potatoes instead of the turnip.
Rebecca says
What can I use in place of the heavy whipping cream? Dairy is rough on me…
Thank you
Carolyn says
Please read the blog post! 🙂
Diane K says
This recipe arrived in my email this morning and I knew immediately what we were having for dinner tonight! This chowder is delicious, creamy and simple to make. The only bacon I had in the house when I made it is Hormel Black Label fully cooked bacon, so I didn’t have bacon grease to sauté the turnip and chopped onions and used used avocado oil with a drizzle of sesame oil to give it a boost.
We like chowders on the thick and creamy side so at the end of cooking I added ½ tsp of Xanthan Gum.
This was so very flavorful and even non-keto hubby went back for another serving and a half, in spite of the turnip fauxtatoes, which he actually liked. The next time I make it I think I’ll buy smaller shrimp or before putting the shrimp in the broth to cook I’ll cut the shrimp in half to make eating it a bit easier.
Thanks, Carolyn, for another delicious recipe; this will be made again and again and again!
Carolyn says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Judy says
This recipe is simply delicious! I say simply because it is so darn easy to make and delicious because it is!!! Used 1/4 tsp Cajun spice and 1/4tsp Old Bay and no salt. My husband is both diabetic and hypertensive and this wonderful recipe fit his dietary requirements perfectly. Double thank you’s! ❤❤
Alina says
This was easy and absolutely delicious. The whole family agrees that this is a keeper. We ended up adding Tabasco to our bowls to spice the soup up according to individual tastes, and the flavor combination was great.
Laurie Laubach says
I want to try this but am not a fan of Cajun seasoning. what other seasonings would be good with this?
Carolyn says
Try old bay!
Cherri says
I made this recipe tonight. Wonderful and really easy. I added parmesan to my serving. Awesome recipe! Thanks Carolyn!
Sharon a Webb says
Well, shoot. This sounds delish. But, I am one of the unfortunates that has allergies to fish and seafood. BUT, I think this would be good with chicken subbing for shrimp so I shall try that!
Carolyn says
Absolutely! It takes longer to cook through, of course.
John says
Fantastic recipe! Who knew turnips could taste as good as potatoes? I did thicken it up with a tiny bit of xanthan gum. Thank you!
Jennifer says
This is a fantastic and simple recipe. The cook time is too short for turnips to get soft. Add another 15-20 minutes if you wish for the turnips to resemble a potato texture. You can not taste a difference. This is a huge hit with me and my husband. We especially love Argentine shrimp chopped up into small pieces.
Katie Bast says
very good, a real winner
Jill says
So good! ❤️
Linda says
So delicious, such creamy yumminess. Absolutely a keeper recipe. Thanks ????
Norma K says
So tasty and perfect for a rainy evening. And my husband loved it, turnips and all!
Trish Baillie says
I made this tonight, I had no swede so just omitted it. I had no onions so used a little bit of finely sliced leek. It was lovely. We’ll be having it again! Even my fussy non keto husband liked it.