In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook for about 5–6 minutes, stirring often, until softened and fragrant.

Chopped onions are sautéing in a white pot with oil or butter, turning translucent and beginning to caramelize—the perfect base for a hearty Irish Seafood Chowder.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste — this will help thicken your chowder later.

Chopped onions, carrots, and leeks are in a white pot, partially cooked and ready to become the savory base for a classic Irish Seafood Chowder.

Add the chopped carrots and leeks. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are just softened.

A white pot filled with chopped potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, some of the vegetables appear to be sautéed, evokes the comforting base of a traditional Irish Chowder.

Add potaoes and cook another 5 minutes, until they start to soften.

A pot of Irish Seafood Chowder with visible chunks of potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions in a light, flavorful broth.

Add in seafood stock and cook, simmering on low, until potatoes are fork-tender.

A pot of Irish Seafood Chowder with raw salmon fillets and shrimp in a light broth, shown simmering on the stovetop.

Stir in the salmon and shrimp, making sure they’re submerged in the broth.

A pot of Irish Seafood Chowder with shrimp, salmon, fresh dill, and a light broth, photographed from above.

Stir in freshly chopped dill, optional.

A pot of creamy Irish Seafood Chowder with chunks of salmon, potatoes, carrots, fresh dill, and other vegetables simmering together.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk and chopped dill.

A pot of creamy Irish Seafood Chowder with salmon pieces, shrimp, diced potatoes, carrots, herbs, and a bay leaf, being stirred with a wooden spoon.

Let it warm through for another 2–3 minutes — do not boil after adding milk, or it may curdle.

A close-up of a bowl of Irish Seafood Chowder featuring shrimp, salmon, diced potatoes, onions, and fresh dill in a creamy broth.

Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.