If you’re craving fresh clams but don’t have any clam dinner ideas, check out this list of 23 clam recipes.
Go through our list of clam recipe ideas so you can become a seafood master and impress your friends and family with your creative and stunning dishes.
Whether you want a light snack like the Clam Dip or a hearty seafood dinner such as the Japanese Clam Soup, we have a recipe for almost every occasion.
Friendly advice: We didn’t include a dessert because clams don’t go so well with sugar.
Our collection of recipes will open your eyes to the versatility of this sea mollusk, and you’ll find yourself buying clams more often, especially when you get to try #21!
1. Clam Scampi
Most people are familiar with shrimp scampi, but how about clam scampi?
If you want a vibrant and delicious weeknight meal that comes together quickly, clam scampi is a great go-to.
Saute the fresh or frozen clams in some lemon, white wine sauce, and garlic for a filling and fresh meal that will become one of your regular favorites.
New England Clam Chowder is a classic creamy soup with clams, ideal for a cold winter day.
New England Clam Chowder is brimming with delicious ingredients that all go into one pot for an easy weekend meal.
If you’re looking for a filling clam meal, this chowder will stuff you up with the rich taste of creamy seafood.
3. Clams Casino
The fancy name for stuffed clams, Clams Casino, is shells stuffed with a clam, breadcrumb, bacon, and herb mixture.
Clams Casino is one of the most popular and well-known clam recipes, but there are a million ways to make it your own.
You can also simplify it by using breadcrumbs, seasoning, and clams sometimes referred to as Clams Oreganata.
This clam meal combines salty, fresh clams with creamy coconut milk and a bold green curry paste.
The color and flavors of this dish will make your friends think you’re a professional in the kitchen, but you’ll know how easy this clam recipe is.
If you want to make a fancy dish to impress guests but don’t have five hours to do so, this green clam coconut curry is a show-stopper and takes less than thirty minutes to make.
5. Clam Dip
A creamy, salty dip that is sure to be a hit at your next party, this clam dip perfectly showcases the unique flavor of clams in the form of a tasty dip.
The cream cheese offers a luscious texture and the sweet, cheesy flavor everyone loves.
Serve it with toasted bread, crackers, or pretzels, and put your neighbor’s french onion dip to shame.
If you’re on the hunt for spicy clam dinner ideas, check out this Clams Arrabiata that takes clams in red sauce to a new fiery level.
The littleneck clams used in this recipe stand up well with the spicy red sauce and even have an enhanced, lively flavor.
Clam dinner ideas with pasta can become repetitive, so next time you’re asking yourself what to make with clams and pasta, try this hot and peppery clam dish.
With your favorite beer, a handful of parsley, some fresh lemons, and, of course, garlic, you can have fresh beer-steamed clams in less than ten minutes.
Steaming clams result in a perfectly cooked clam with a fishy, salty taste you love in a chewy hunk of protein, and beer makes everything better.
If you’ve never had beer-steamed clams, this is your sign to try them because they’ll knock your socks off.
When people think of what to make with clams, Seafood Paella is often the first thing that comes to mind.
This classic Spanish meal is a collection of fresh seafood in a special red sauce mixed into fluffy Spanish rice.
This recipe is a rich, lemony red sauce that envelopes the soft, flavorful rice and the fresh array of seafood.
If you want a recipe packed with sea proteins, Paella is the dinner for you.
It’s hard to beat the flavor of deep-fried bread topped with clams, mussels, and pancetta soaked in saucy goodness.
This appetizer is great to serve at your fancy dinner party or a lavish treat for yourself if you get peckish and have clams in your kitchen.
You can serve the toast with the clam still in the shell or sans shell, whichever is more appealing to you.
10. Frutti Di Mare
Frutti Di Mare is a classic Italian dish that translates to “fruit of the sea.”
You should make it with the freshest seafood you can, and that includes clams.
The seafood is the star of this dish so try to avoid any pre-cooked or pre-packaged seafood.
Clams in red Italian pasta sauce is a common combination that many love, so you’ll probably want to add this traditional clam dish to your repertoire.
No, you didn’t read that wrong. Flip the script on stuffed clams, replacing the shell with a plump mushroom cap for added umami flavor.
This recipe combines clams, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and vegetables to make an out-of-this-world stuffing.
The mushrooms are topped off with ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese that complements the saltiness of the clams.
12. Gnocchi & Clams
This gnocchi and clams also feature mussels to add to the seafood saltiness of the dish.
Gnocchi and mollusks pair super well together because the mollusks’ slimy texture and seawater flavor perfectly balance the starchy potatoes.
Clam recipe ideas often feature potatoes because they are a match made in heaven.
Grilled clams have a special something to them that makes them irresistible.
And everyone knows what an excellent culinary couple tomato and basil make, so bringing all three together seems like a natural combination.
The acidic tomato and earthy basil highlight the sweet saltiness of the fresh clams.
Clam recipe ideas often feature tomato broths because they bring such a rich flavor to the lightness of clams, so don’t forget sliced bread so you can sop up the delicious broth.
Almonds and clams are an incredible pairing often neglected in the culinary world.
Almonds can slip into the place of breadcrumbs if you don’t have them or if you want to try something new.
Adding the nutty flavor and crunchy texture of almonds to your clams makes them come alive with an earthy flavor that you don’t often get from seafood.
Fregola With Clams is a traditional Sardinian clam meal that uses small pasta balls called Fregola, parsley, and fresh garlic.
This recipe also uses tomatoes, but if you want to reduce the acidity in the dish, you can skip the tomatoes.
For this recipe, it’s best to use little clams that pair well with the tiny pieces of pasta.
Lupini, Tellines, or Manila clams are among the most miniature varieties of clams and are a good choice for this recipe if you can find them fresh.
Clams on pizza?
No, we’re not insane because this clam, bacon, and corn pizza is salty, sweet, and delivers that luxurious seafood flavor only clams can bring to a pizza.
Forget about pepperoni because clams will be your new favorite pizza topping. If you’re looking for clam recipes, no shell, this pizza is a tasty option.
Loaded baked potatoes are one of the most satisfying and comforting foods that you can serve as a hearty side dish or a simple main meal.
The best part about baked potatoes is that everything tastes good stuffed into them, especially clams!
Many people don’t think to pair seafood with baked potatoes, but we’re here to tell you they are missing out.
This clear Japanese soup comes with a delicious seafood addition.
This recipe uses Manila clams, salt, and sake to season.
The soup uses minimal ingredients and takes less than twenty minutes to prepare but has a comforting, simplistic flavor that is surprisingly delicious.
Step out of your comfort zone with this unique clam dish the next time you’re wondering what to make with clams.
As far as clam dinner ideas go, deep-fried whole belly clams are relatively easy to make, as long as you don’t mind frying!
This recipe is probably the best way to get your kids on board with clams.
Before you fry another chicken nugget, consider the classic beachside clam meal with a zesty tartar sauce for dipping.
20. Caesar Cocktail
A famous Canadian cocktail, A Bloody Caesar, is a twist on a Bloody Mary.
The twist is clam juice!
The addition of clam juice gives the cocktail an exciting hint of seafood that complements the spicy tomato flavor.
With a different use of clams, this Buffalo Clam Sandwich breaks the mold of what clam dishes usually are and will have you debating what other flavors could make clams even better.
With hot sauce, green apples, celery, and more, this recipe is a creative combination of flavors that brings clams to a whole new level.
If you love anything buffalo, you’ll fall head over heels for this clam sandwich.
If you are trying to think of what to make with clams but are in the mood for something light and fresh, try out these Razor Clam Spring Rolls that take the fresh, salty flavor of clams and pairs it with the vibrance and crunch of fresh vegetables.
Clam dishes are often heavy, so this spring roll is a lovely departure from most clam recipe ideas.
You’ve heard of crab cakes, but get ready to fall in love with clam cakes.
This classic Rhode Island clam meal is perfect if you want easy-to-eat clam dishes.
They have a distinct flavor of clams, beer, and fried food which are three things most people can agree are amazing. It’s the best appetizer or snack for your next beach soiree.
The bottom line
Our collection of recipes exemplifies the impressive versatility of this tiny seafood.
Clams have a distinct flavor that brings any dish to life and can work its way into meals you never expected, like pizza or spring rolls.
Hopefully, a few meals on this list caught your eye, so get some fresh clams and fall in love with the many clam dishes people either forget about or have never heard of!
And if you’re planning to have a clam party, better try these side dishes to pair with your clam chowder—they’re absolutely delicious!
23 Ways To Cook Clam
It’s clam party time! Try these 23 clam recipes that you can serve your friends and family for your next party.
Ingredients
- Clam Scampi
- New England Clam Chowder
- Clam Casino
- Green Clam Coconut Curry
- Clam Dip
- Clams Arrabiata
- Beer-Steamed Clams
- Seafood Paella
- Clam & Mussel Toast
- Frutti Di Mare
- Clam-Stuffed Mushrooms
- Gnocchi & Clams
- Grilled Clams In Tomato Basil Broth
- Linguine & Almond Clams
- Clam Fregola
- Bacon, Clam & Corn Pizza
- Baked Potatoes With Clams
- Japanese Clam Soup
- Fried Clams & Tartar Sauce
- Caesar Cocktail
- Buffalo Fried Clam Sandwich
- Clam Spring Rolls
- Rhode Island Clam Cakes
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from our list of clam recipes!
- Turn it into a fantastic home-cooked meal!
- Leave a comment on our Facebook page and share your new dish.