Why Does Clam Chowder Become Watery in the Refrigerator? The great thing about a pot of chowder is that you can easily enjoy it for several meals. However, as the broth cools, it can get watery. The reason for this is that the fats congeal as they get cold, which leaves water behind.

How do you keep chowder from getting watery?

@ChiLeung : you can make a roux, and add it to the watery chowder ... although to reduce the chance of lumps, add a few ladles of the chowder to the roux, mix it well, then add that back to the rest of the chowder.

How do you thicken clam chowder?

If you want a really thick chowder, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the cream. Stir it in well so that there are no lumps, and then pour it into the pot very gradually, stirring as you pour. The chowder will thicken as you blend in the cream and cornstarch mixture.