Money Saving Tuna Chowder

 

Homemade soup should not be hurried.  Maybe that’s why I don’t make it as often as I wish I would – I’m usually in too big of a hurry.  But when I do slow down and take the time to chop some vegetables and let everything simmer for awhile, I’m always glad I did because homemade soup is a great comfort food.

I needed a little extra comfort food this week too after visiting the dentist.  A few  warm bowls of homemade soup really hit the spot (and didn’t require any painful chewing!)  We enjoyed some homemade tomato soup made from tomato paste, as well as this frugal tuna chowder.

This recipe originally called for canned salmon, but one time I substituted canned tuna in a pinch and we found we liked it just as well.  Because I almost always have a few cans of tuna in the pantry, and tuna is easy on the budget, the recipe has now just morphed into my version of a tuna chowder that’s a good way to use up celery, carrots or potatoes that I have around too.  And as with most soup recipes, you can improvise on the vegetables to use up what you have.  For instance if I have a red or yellow pepper on hand instead of a green pepper, I just use that.

money saving tuna chowder

Tuna Chowder

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • 1/2 cup chopped celery

  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (fresh or jarred)

  • 3 cups chicken broth

  • 1 potato – peeled and cubed

  • 1/2 cup chopped carrot

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • 1 – 15 oz can cream style corn

  • 1 – 12 oz can evaporated milk  ( I usually make my own:  DIY Evaporated Milk)

  • 2 – 6 oz cans tuna fish – drained

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic, and cook about 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.

Add the chicken broth, potato, carrot, and the spices and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.  Then add the cream style corn, evaporated milk, and the tuna fish and stir to combine.

Let everything heat together for a few more minutes before serving.

 

 

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