Don’t miss out on these razor clam recipes, along with our top picks and buying guide for this seafood delicacy.
Razor clams are known for their distinct, elongated shell shape, tender and slightly sweet meat, and a subtle, briny flavor.
One of the best ways to cook the clams is to steam them in a seasoned broth. This simple and easy method keeps the razor clams tender and flavorful.
But there’s a whole world of possibilities beyond just steaming them. Razor clams can be grilled, or toss them in pasta dishes, salads, and even top pizza!
If you’re a seafood lover and you’re looking to experiment with razor clams in your kitchen, this is a great place to start.
- #5 Ramp Pesto Pizza With Razor Clams is a rich, seafoody pizza with a hint of pesto.
- Indulge in the savory goodness of #10 Baked Razor Clams With Sauteed Crispy Bread Crumbs.
- #15 Roasted Razor Clams is a simple, flavorful, and packed with smoky, spicy, and herbaceous flavor.
- #20 Razor Clams With Piquillo Peppers shines with the sweet, smoky flavor of Spanish piquillo peppers.
- Enjoy our tasty #25 Baked Razor Clam Dip with a crispy breadcrumb topping!
What To Look For When Buying Razor Clams
When buying razor clams, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you are getting the best quality:
- Check the shell. Avoid clams with cracked open shells or those that don’t close when lightly tapped, as they may be dead or unhealthy.
- Assess the smell. Fresh clean razor clams should smell like the ocean. Fishy, sour, or bad odors indicate they’re not fresh.
- Evaluate the weight. If a razor clam feels light for its size, it may be dead or dying.
- Inspect the color. Dry clams or discolored ones may not be fresh.
- Ask about the source. Buy razor clams from reputable sellers who can tell you where and when they were harvested.
- Look for responsiveness. A live razor clam should move when touched, with lack of movement suggesting it’s likely dead and unsafe to eat.
- Consider the season. Razor clams are freshest and most abundant in season, so inquire with your fishmonger about local seasonal availability.
- Check for sand or grit. Razor clams should be sand-free to avoid a sandy taste and tough texture.
- Avoid clams that are too small or too large. Medium regular clams are best: smaller pieces have little razor clam meat; large ones are tough.
Best Razor Clam Recipes
The Vietnamese Razor Clams recipe shines with its tangy tamarind sauce, enhancing and tenderizing the clams. You can whip up this flavorful dish in less than 30 minutes, adjusting to your taste buds.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, olive oil, shallots, peppercorns, and tamarind sauce.
The Razor Clams with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette recipe brings out bold flavors by searing clams in a hot frying pan and tossing them in a spicy, citrusy vinaigrette made from chile oil, and Thai chile. This quick and easy method highlights the sweet taste of the clams, creating a delicious contrast with the vibrant vinaigrette.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, extra-virgin olive oil, chili oil, lime zest, and lime juice.
The Razor Clam Pizza recipe uses tender, sweet, and briny razor clams along with asiago cheese, and tomato for a delicious seafood delight. The mix of sweet clams, savory cheese, tangy tomato, and sharp garlic creates a perfectly balanced, flavorful pizza that a seafood lover will adore.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, olive oil, pizza dough, tomato, and asiago.
This easy-to-make salad combines crunchy pickled vegetables, sweet razor clams, aromatic fresh herbs, fried shallots, and roasted peanuts for a satisfying meal. The pickled vegetables provide a crunchy acidity, balancing the rich clams, while the herbs, shallots, and peanuts add fresh, rich flavors, and texture.
Ingredients include: Rice wine vinegar, sugar, carrot, daikon, and roasted peanuts.
The Ramp Pesto Pizza with Razor Clams recipe is a tasty, easy dish that blends the garlicky flavor of spring ramps with the briny sweetness of razor clams. The homemade ramp pesto tops the pizza, and the clams, cooked in a white wine sauce, are added just before baking ends, creating a unique and delicious pizza.
Ingredients include: Ramps, toasted sunflower seeds, parmesan cheese, all-purpose flour, and razor clams.
In this recipe, clams are cooked sous vide at 65ºC (150ºF) for 7 minutes, ensuring they’re tender and perfectly done. A simple citrus sauce, made with lime juice, and jalapeño sauce, adds a bright, refreshing flavor with a hint of heat, highlighting the clams’ natural taste.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, lime, lime zest, jalapeño sauce, and walnuts.
The Razor Clams with Broad Beans and Jamón recipe is a simple, flavorful Spanish dish perfect for warmer seasons. It combines the subtle taste of razor clams, nutty broad beans, and smoky jamón, offering a visually appealing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients include: Broad beans, olive oil, ham, shallots, and razor clams.
The Sauteed Razor Clams recipe uses simple ingredients like minced garlic, parsley, and white wine to create a flavorful dish. After removing sand by soaking the clams in salt water, they’re sauteed, resulting in a fresh, sophisticated, and satisfying meal.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, parsley, olive oil, white wine, and black pepper.
Pacific Razor Clam Chowder is a rich soup pot using sweet razor clams native to the Pacific Northwest. The addition of bacon, potatoes, and vegetables, combined with slow cooking, creates a flavorful blend of smoky, salty, and sweet tastes.
Ingredients include: Bacon, olive oil, carrots, celery, and rosemary.
The Baked Razor Clams with Sauteed Bread recipe is an easy, flavorful dish suitable for any meal. It features sweet razor clams baked in a creamy herb and white wine sauce, served over sauteed bread that adds crunch and soaks up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, olive oil, scallions, red pepper, and tarragon.
Razor Clam Ceviche is a refreshing dish that uses minimal ingredients, allowing the clams’ natural flavor to shine. After chilling, it’s garnished with parsley and spiced with Merquén, a Chilean chili, while lemon juice adds tanginess and safely “cooks” the clams.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, red onion, lemon juice, parsley, and pepper.
The Razor Clam Burger recipe is a tasty, easy dish that showcases the mild, meaty flavor of Pacific razor clams. Cooked until golden brown and crispy, these burgers are served on buns with your choice of toppings.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, egg, bread crumbs, parsley, and lemon juice.
This quick, 20-minute tasty recipe blends smoky chorizo, sweet shallots, and nutty parmesan with protein-packed razor clams for a delectable, tasty dish. Serve it hot, right after cooking, for the best experience.
Ingredients include: Shallot, chorizo, razor clams, olive oil, and parmesan.
This quick pasta dish blends fresh razor clams, lemon juice, and parsley for a refreshing summer meal. The slightly sweet, briny clams, cooked swiftly in white wine, pair well with the lemon, and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients include: Capellini pasta, butter, olive oil, shallot, and razor clams.
The Roasted Razor Clams recipe is an easy, flavorful dish ready in under 30 minutes. Clams are roasted with chilies and rosemary, while lemon wedges add acidity, enhancing the clams’ sweet, wonderful flavor.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, red chillies, cloves garlic, rosemary, and olive oil.
16. Razor Clam Rice
Arroz de Lingueirão is an easy, traditional Portuguese rice dish perfect for summer, featuring the unique flavor of tender razor clams. Even for beginner cooks, this amazing dish comes together quickly after the clams are cooked.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, carolino rice, tomatoes, pepper, and cilantro.
This quick, flavorful recipe showcases the sweet taste of razor clams and garlicky ramps, a springtime wild onion. Served in their shells in a shallow bowl with a touch of white wine for complexity, the dish offers a visually appealing and delicious experience.
Ingredients include: Olive oil, ramps, shallot, white wine, and razor clams.
The Garlic Butter Razor Clams recipe features a simple, rich sauce of butter, diced garlic, and black pepper that complements the sweet clams. This easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for beginners, results in firm yet tender clams suitable for stir-frying or grilling.
Ingredients include: Razor clam, butter, black pepper, scallion, and vegetable oil.
Razor Clams in Spicy Black Bean Sauce pairs fresh clams with a rich, slightly sweet sauce made from black beans and chili peppers. A splash of rice vinegar adds acidity, balancing the dish and enhancing its flavors.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, shallots, red chili, oyster sauce, and cornstarch.
Razor Clams with Piquillo Peppers is a simple yet elegant dish featuring an easy-to-make salsa that adds a sweet, smoky flavor. The dish, typically served with crusty bread or rice, impresses with its fresh taste of razor clams and the unique flavor of Spanish piquillo peppers.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, piquillo pepper, chives, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
Razor Clam Mini Pepper Boats is an easy, customizable recipe that combines tender clams with cream cheese, cheddar, and spices, baked in mini peppers until bubbly. The sweet peppers and crispy Panko mixture topping add texture to this visually appealing appetizer or light lunch.
Ingredients include: Mini peppers, razor clams, cream cheese, cajun seasoning, and cheddar cheese.
The Deep-Fried Razor Clam Strips With Buffalo Dipping Sauce recipe creates a delightful contrast with crispy, golden brown clams and creamy buffalo sauce. The simple batter-coated, fried razor clams paired with the sauce make for a satisfying, texturally interesting meal.
Ingredients include: Mayonnaise, all purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Razor Clam With Fragrant Soy Dipping Sauce is a unique dish featuring thinly sliced, poached clams that are tender and flavorful. The simple, tasty dipping sauce and the contrast of tender clams with crispy scallions make this dish stand out.
Ingredients include: Razor clams, scallion, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and water.
Razor Clam Spaghetti with Wine Sauce is an easy, quick recipe that combines fresh razor clams and angel hair pasta in a flavorful wine sauce. Using a dry white wine in the sauce helps balance the sweetness of this type of clam.
Ingredients include: Spaghetti, razor clams, clam juice, heavy cream, and all purpose flour.
This Baked Clam Dip is an easy, tasty appetizer perfect for parties, featuring fresh razor clams. Its golden-brown breadcrumb top adds a crunchy contrast to the creamy dip, making it a special dish.
Ingredients include: Cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, dill, and lemon juice.
The bottom line
Razor clams are delicious and versatile. And with this list of recipes, you can choose simple and straightforward or more complex and flavorful.
Just make sure you use the freshest razor clams for the best results.
Best Places To Buy Razor Clams
Here are the best places to help you find fresh and high-quality razor clams:
- Local Fish Markets. These places often offer the freshest seafood, including razor clams.
- Online Seafood Retailers. Websites like Fulton Fish Market and Vital Choice sell and deliver razor clams to your home.
- Specialty Grocery Stores. Stores such as Whole Foods usually have high-quality seafood like razor clams for sale.
- Direct From Fishermen. If you live near the sea, you can buy razor clams straight from the dock or at a local fish auction.
- Farmers Markets. At some farmers markets, vendors sell fresh razor clams they’ve caught locally.
More About Clams
25 Best Razor Clam Recipes
These razor clam recipes include seafood pizza, creamy pasta dishes, hearty entrees, and more.
Ingredients
- Vietnamese Tamarind Razor Clams
- Razor Clams With Chile-Lime Vinaigrette
- Garlic Razor Clam Pizza
- Vietnamese Razor Clam Salad
- Ramp Pesto Pizza With Razor Clams
- Razor Clams In Citrus Sauce
- Razor Clams With Broad Beans & Jamón
- Sauteed Razor Clams With Garlic & Parsley
- Pacific Razor Clam Chowder
- Baked Razor Clams With Sautéed Bread Crumbs
- Ceviche de Machas Razor Clams
- Razor Clam Burger
- Gratinated Razor Clams With Parmesan & Chorizo
- Razor Clam Lemon Capellini
- Roasted Razor Clams
- Razor Clam Rice
- Steamed Razor Clams With Ramps & White Wine
- Garlic Razor Clam
- Razor Clams In Spicy Black Bean Sauce
- Razor Clams With Piquillo Peppers
- Razor Clam Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Deep-Fried Razor Clam Strips With Buffalo Dipping Sauce
- Razor Clam With Fragrant Soy Dipping Sauce
- Razor Clam Spaghetti With Wine Sauce
- Baked Razor Clam Dip
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from our list of Razor Clam Recipes!
- Wave your magic wand to make it your own special recipe!
- Comment here if you think a recipe needs tweaking!