This clam dip recipe is one of my all time favourites. Fresh dips are essential at my parties. I've just never gotten into those store bought disasters that are mass produced and sold in the shops. It’s a simple family recipe I’ve been making for decades.
What is clam dip?
Clam dip is a creamy, savory dip made with minced or chopped clams, cream cheese or sour cream, and seasonings like garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sometimes hot sauce like Tabasco. It’s often served with crackers, chips, or vegetable sticks.
I keep my clam dip recipe simple. In my opinion, the recipe can have too many ingredients in it that just aren't needed. So you will find that the ingredients are kept to a minimum but feel free to add some of the above mentioned if you want.
Where did clam dip originate?
I recently heard that it is from the North East coast of the US where fresh clams are abundant. I only recently used fresh clams out of necessity because you can't purchase canned clams where I live. It was amazing but this is the version of clam dip made at homes across the US using canned clams.
Clam dip gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s after the recipe appeared on a Philadelphia Cream Cheese package. It sure was popular at our family gatherings in the 70s, 80s and 90s. When I return home to visit, it is always on offer as a pre-dinner snack.
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Ingredients
In the photo below you will see what goes into my family recipe for clam dip. To this you can add other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice but personally, I think it gives the dip too many different flavours. Even the chopped scallions are optional but I like them so in they go.
- ingredient 1
- ingredient 2
- ingredient 3
See recipe card for quantities.
Step by step photographs
As you will see in the photos below, There really isn't much to this clam dip recipe. You can literally make it in minutes!
- Step 1: Whisk the cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
- Step 2: Add the sour cream, garlic and scallions and whisk them all in with a fork to combine.
- Step 3: Stir in the canned clams and some of the broth in the can. You should add this to preference. The more you add, the thinner the clam dip will be. For a bit of a kick, add a few squirts of Tabasco.
- Step 4: Whisk it all together and season with salt to taste.
- Step 5: That's it. We're talking simple deliciousness here.
- Step 6: Enjoy!
Variations
As I mentioned above, you can add other ingredients to your clam dip.
- Spicy - Some do like it spicy. You can add Tabasco to taste or try any of your favorite hot sauces to taste.
- Garlicky - I do love my garlic but keep it to a minimum when I make clam dip. Feel free to add more to taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Many connoisseurs of clam dip love the umami flavor that Worcestershire sauce gives the dip. I don't add it to mine but it is nice.
- Lemon juice - Everyone knows that lemon juice goes nicely with seafood. Add some to taste to give the dip a sour flavour that is popular in many households.
Equipment
A mixing bowl: Use a good sized bowl so that you can really get in there and whisk the ingredients together to combine into a smooth dip.
A Fork: This is all you need to whisk.
A Serving Bowl: Find a nice bowl for presentation. It just adds to the experience.
Storage
You can store your clam dip, covered in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Be sure to whisk it some before serving as it is likely to separate some in the fridge.
Top Tip
Taste as you go. The perfect clam dip is the way you like it. Feel free to add some of the above mentioned ingredients. If it sounds good to you, it probably will be.
FAQ
Yes! Steam fresh clams in about 2 inches of water until they open, then remove the meat and chop it finely. Save some of the clam juice for added flavor in the dip.
Potato chips are the most popular accompaniment but you can serve the dip with crakers, warm bread or crispy crudites if you like.
Related
Here are a few other dips and sauces you might like to try:
Pairing
Clam dip and chips is the perfect appetizer for any of these main dishes:
Recipe
Clam Dip Recipe
Clam dip is the perfect appetizer for any occasion. It's really easy to prepare and can be made in about 10 minutes too.
Ingredients
- 8oz (225g) cream cheese
- ½ cup (125ml) sour cream
- 3 squirts of Tabasco
- 1 squirt Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 spring onion - finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic - finely chopped
- 1 can chopped clams or 30 fresh clams
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- If using live clams, heat about 200ml (¾ cup) water in a small pot that has a lid.
- Bring the water to a boil and then add the clams.
- Cover for about 3 minutes until the shells steam open.
- Remove the clams from the water to cool. Retain about 1 tablespoon of the cooking stock.
- When the clams have cooled, remove the meat from the shells and chop the meat finely.
- Now combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, spring onion and garlic in a large bowl and smash it all with a fork until smooth enough to dip a potato chip in without breaking it.
- Stir in the cooked or canned clams with one tablespoon of the stock that is in the can or the cooking stock.
- Serve with potato crisps or fresh raw vegetables.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 59Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 211mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g