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Best Steamed Clams

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Best Steamed Clams is a quintessential seafood dish that celebrates the natural, briny flavors of fresh clams. This simple yet elegant preparation allows the clams to shine, enhanced only by a fragrant broth of garlic, white wine, and butter. Steaming the clams gently cooks them to perfection, resulting in tender, juicy morsels that are irresistibly delicious. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, Best Steamed Clams is a timeless classic that’s sure to impress any seafood lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients to make your Best Steamed Clams:

  • 4 pounds fresh clams (such as littleneck, Manila, or cherrystone)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • ½ cup clam juice or chicken broth

  • ¼ cup butter, cut into pieces

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Clams:

  1. Purge the Clams: Place the clams in a large bowl filled with cold water and 2 tablespoons of sea salt. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour, to allow them to purge any sand or grit. Drain the clams and rinse them thoroughly.

  2. Scrub the Clams: Scrub the clams under cold running water to remove any remaining dirt or debris.

Steam the Clams:

  1. Sauté the Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.

  2. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.

  3. Add Broth: Add the clam juice or chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer.

  4. Add the Clams: Add the cleaned clams to the pot. Cover and steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until the clams have opened. Discard any clams that do not open.

  5. Add Butter: Stir in the butter until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve:

  1. Garnish: Ladle the steamed clams into bowls, spooning the broth over them.

  2. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve the Best Steamed Clams immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Equipment

Nutrition

Find it online: https://succulentrecipes.com/best-steamed-clams/