This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.
The wikiHow Culinary Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed 810,952 times.
Learn more...
So, you know how to open clams, if you want to eat them raw. You know how to make clam diggers, too, even though that really has very little to do with the actual animal, the clam. But how on Earth do you make good ol' fashioned steamed clams? For those of us that are squeamish about eating animals that are still alive, or for those of us who just don't like having to pry open clam shells with a blunt knife, there is a solution, and it is quite delicious. All you have to do in this recipe is clean and soak your clams, whip up a white wine sauce, throw the lid on your pan, and steam. Et voilà!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds/1.3kg clams
- Water (or white wine)
- 2 slices onion (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme (optional)
- 2 sprigs parsley (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (+/-)
- Unsalted butter
- Sea salt
- Optional - other aromatic herbs/spices that you might like to add include fennel and/or bay leaves; a few threads of saffron; finely sliced chili, etc.
Steps
Flavorful Steamed Clams
-
1Inspect the clams. Place clams on a clean, dry towel, and shuffle through them loosely. Discard any that look abnormal or are open, in the outside trash, otherwise their stench will quickly overpower.
-
2Prepare the clams. Have something like a bucket, tub, or sink in which to soak the clams. The soaking process will clean the clams prior to cooking.
- Make a weak brine solution – 1/3 cup of non-iodized salt (iodine will kill clams) to one gallon (3.7 liters) of water should work.
- Soak clams in the brine for about fifteen minutes, to remove all grit from inside and outside the clam. Fresh water works decently as well.
- Pour the clams into a strainer, and hold under a stream of cold water. Scrub thoroughly with a metal brush.
- Place clams back on the towel you had them on earlier. Rub them dry gently to remove any final grit.
Advertisement -
3Place cleaned clams into a large kettle, wide pan, or wok. For every pound (453g) of clams, add half a cup of water. Layer the clams into the cooking container with the water (or white wine). Cover the cooking container and place over high heat.
- Here, you can choose to add the aromatic ingredients listed above. They are not needed, but if you prefer more flavorful clams, add the extra ingredients, or even just some of them. Keep in mind that the amounts are for three pounds (1.3kg) of clam, so you may need to add or subtract amounts depending on how many clams you have. If you do chose to add them, this is the moment to do so.
-
4Steam the clams. Allow the clams enough time to open their shells - this will be indicated by a burst of steam and popped-open shells, anywhere from 2–3 minutes to 5-10 minutes, depending on the type of clams. If some don't open in this time, discard them as they probably were already dead. Cook Stephanie Alexander even suggests giving the ones that do not open another go at steaming because sometimes the clams have a very tight and vigorous hold on the shell (be sure to remove those that have already opened as they're ready).[1]
-
5Arrange. Remove the open clams from the kettle or other container and place them in a dish, possibly with a small amount of the broth around them. Lemon halves, or quarters, and a few sprinkles of sea salt are lovely accents to the dish.
-
6Serve hot with melted butter. Bread can be added for mopping up any liquid.
Butter Steamed Clams
-
1After you have cleaned the clams, set them aside for later.
-
2Take a large pot and melt half a stick of butter in it. Add just enough water to almost cover the clams.
-
3Wait for the water and butter mixture to boil. Add 6 to 12 clams, depending on the size.
-
4Spice the clams to taste. Garlic is recommended.
-
5Wait for the shells to pop open. Let the clams cook for another 1to 2 minutes.
-
6Serve on a plate with lemon and/or garlic butter. Eat and enjoy.
- Red hot sauce is a nice addition too.
Community Q&A
-
QuestionWhat would abnormal clams look like?
Community AnswerLook for cracked/chipped or misshapen shells, and clams that sound hollow when tapped. -
QuestionCan I eat raw clams?
Community AnswerAs long as you don't have liver disease, diabetes, or a compromised immune system, you should be fine. If you have any of the above, consuming raw shellfish can be hazardous to your health. -
QuestionHow to do I store fresh clams?
MicheleTop AnswererStore fresh clams in the shell in the refrigerator. If it going to be for longer than a day, cover them with a damp cloth.
Warnings
- Never eat clams if you have a seafood allergy.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Pay close attention to the kettle/pan/wok while steaming the clams – that thing is hot!⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Bucket, tub, sink
- Cleaning water and steaming water
- A kettle, wide pan, or a wok for steaming
- Tongs or scooping tool for stirring and collecting clams from the pot
References
- ↑ Stephanie Alexander, The Cook's Companion, p. 597, (2004), ISBN 978-1-920989-00-2
- ↑ Larousse Gastronomique, p. 268, (2009), ISBN 978-0-600-62042-6
- ↑ Larousse Gastronomique, p. 268, (2009), ISBN 978-0-600-62042-6
- ↑ Larousse Gastronomique, p. 268, (2009), ISBN 978-0-600-62042-6
- ↑ Stephanie Alexander, The Cook's Companion, pp. 597-598, (2004), ISBN 978-1-920989-00-2
- ↑ Larousse Gastronomique, p. 268, (2009), ISBN 978-0-600-62042-6
About This Article
To steam clams on the stove, start by inspecting them for any open shells, which should be discarded. Then, soak your clams in a large bucket or sink filled with ⅓ cup non-iodized salt and 1 gallon of water for 15 minutes. Next, strain them under cold water, and gently rub the shells with a towel to remove any dirt. Then, place the clean clams in a large kettle or pan with a half cup of water for every pound of clams. Cover the kettle with a lid and cook the clams over high heat for 2 to 10 minutes, or until the shells pop open. To learn how to make butter steamed clams, keep scrolling!
