If you love a classic clam dip, this easy recipe is one to keep in your party-food arsenal. It takes just a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes to make, and you can prepare it a day or two ahead.
Cream cheese, sour cream, minced clams, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and a few seasonings make a creamy, savory dip that's especially good with potato chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
It's the kind of no-fuss appetizer that's perfect for a holiday gathering, game day, or an evening with friends. And while making it ahead gives the flavors time to develop, I'll admit that sometimes I can't wait that long.
Classic Clam Dip Recipe: An Easy Make-Ahead Party Dip
Make the clam dip a day or two ahead of serving for optimal flavor, but if you are like me you'll make it and eat it the same day.
It's that good.
Why You'll Love This Clam Dip
If you love a classic clam dip, this easy recipe is one to keep in your party-food arsenal. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and uses simple ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.
It's quick and easy. You can have the dip mixed and ready for the refrigerator in about 10 minutes.
No special equipment is needed. A bowl, spoon, and a little stirring are all it takes.
You can make it ahead. The flavors are even better after the dip has had time to chill.
It's easy to adjust. Make it thick for crackers and vegetables or thin it slightly with reserved clam juice for potato chips.
It's a crowd-pleaser. Serve it at a holiday gathering, game-day party, or casual get-together and watch it disappear.
Ingredients for Classic Clam Dip
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this creamy, savory dip.
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Canned minced clams
- Fresh lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Minced onion
- Tabasco sauce
- Salt and pepper
The cream cheese should be softened before you begin. If you're short on time, there's an easy shortcut in the recipe below.
[Clam dip ingredients on a counter.]
How to Make Clam Dip
1. Soften the cream cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese is easiest to blend with the other ingredients. If you're making the dip at the last minute, you can soften the cream cheese in the microwave.
Place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50% power for about one minute. The exact time will depend on your microwave, so check it before adding more time.
2. Prepare the clams
Drain the canned clams, reserving the clam juice.
Place the drained clams in a small bowl and add the fresh lemon juice. Set them aside while you mix the other ingredients.
3. Mix the dip
Place the softened cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl. Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, minced onion, and Tabasco sauce.
Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Add the clams
Stir the clams and lemon juice into the cream cheese mixture. Taste the dip and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
5. Adjust the consistency
This is where the reserved clam juice comes in handy.
If you want a thicker dip for crackers or vegetables, you may not need any clam juice. For potato chips, I like to thin the dip slightly so it's easier to scoop.
Add the reserved clam juice one tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition, until you reach the consistency you want.
6. Chill before serving
Cover the dip and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
You can certainly eat it the same day, but I think the flavor gets even better when the dip is made a day or two ahead.
Tips for the Best Clam Dip
Soften the cream cheese
Don't try to mix cold cream cheese straight from the refrigerator. It will be much harder to combine smoothly with the sour cream.
If you forget to take it out ahead of time, use the microwave shortcut in the recipe.
Reserve the clam juice
Don't pour the clam juice down the drain when you drain the clams. You'll use it to adjust the consistency of the finished dip.
Adding it a little at a time gives you much more control than adding all of it at once.
Taste before adding more Tabasco
The Worcestershire sauce, clams, and seasonings already give this dip plenty of flavor. Start with a small amount of Tabasco and add more if you want additional heat.
Give it time to chill
The dip will firm up as it chills, and the flavors have a chance to blend together.
If you're serving it for a party, making it the day before is an easy way to take one more thing off your to-do list.
What to Serve with Clam Dip
This clam dip is especially good with potato chips, crackers, and fresh vegetables.
We love freshly made potato chips, but we don't usually make our own. A good kettle-style potato chip works perfectly.
For thinner potato chips, you may want to add a little of the reserved clam juice to make the dip easier to scoop.
For crackers, I prefer a plain cracker. A strongly flavored cracker can compete with the delicate flavor of the clams.
Fresh vegetables such as celery, carrots, and cucumber are also good choices.
You can even add this clam dip to a simple charcuterie board for an easy appetizer spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make clam dip ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, this is one of my favorite make-ahead party appetizers.
The dip can be prepared up to three days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. I think it tastes especially good after it has had a day or two for the flavors to develop.
How long does clam dip last in the refrigerator?
Store the dip covered in the refrigerator and use it within three days.
Give it a good stir before serving. If it has become thicker than you'd like, stir in a small amount of the reserved clam juice.
Can I make clam dip spicy?
Yes. Add more Tabasco sauce to taste.
You could also add a little finely minced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
Can I use fresh clams instead of canned?
You can, but I don't recommend going to the extra trouble for this recipe. Canned minced clams are convenient, readily available, and work beautifully in this dip.
Can I soften cream cheese quickly?
Yes. Place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it at 50% power for about one minute. Check the cream cheese and add a little more time if necessary.
Make-Ahead Tip
This clam dip can be made up to three days ahead. Keep it covered and refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
The dip will thicken as it chills. If needed, stir in a little reserved clam juice before serving to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
Making the Clam Dip
More Easy Party Dips
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More Easy Party Appetizers
Looking for more appetizers for your next gathering?
The Clam Dip Recipe
Favorite Clam Dip
This easy clam dip is creamy, savory, and packed with clam flavor. It's a simple make-ahead appetizer that's perfect for holidays, game day, or any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start with room temperature cream cheese to make it easy to blend the ingredients. If you are making this last minute, you can microwave your cream cheese for one minute at 50% power (1000 watt microwave oven).
- Drain the clams. Place the clams in a small bowl and add the lemon juice. Set aside.
- Place the cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl and add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, minced onion and Tabasco sauce.
- Stir well to combine the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Add the clams and lemon juice, stirring to combine.
- Add some of the reserved clam juice, one tablespoon at a time, if you want your dip to be a thinner consistency. You'll want the dip thicker for crackers, thinner for chips.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavor. Serve with your favorite dip accompaniments.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
171.96Fat (grams)
10.57 gSat. Fat (grams)
5.80 gCarbs (grams)
10.10 gFiber (grams)
0.18 gNet carbs
9.92 gSugar (grams)
6.62 gProtein (grams)
9.15 gSodium (milligrams)
540.18 mgCholesterol (grams)
48.50 mgNutritional information is approximate.
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Confused. If you are recording for the video why not use the same amounts of ingredients as the recipe and why not let the cream cheese soften. Plus, using a spatula to wipe down the side of the bowl while mixing would have made it a lot easier. With that said, the recipe looks good. I would start off making the same amount of ingredients as your video. Doubling would make a lot and some folks just don’t like clams.
ReplyDeleteDear Confused...while I generally appreciate comments and suggestions, it seems you were having a bad day. In response, 1)both the video and the blog post reference softened cream cheese. 2)Spatula or spoon, use the tool you prefer. 3) Yes, clearly, the video is half the amount of dip as was made in the blog post. 4)Doubling the recipe does make a lot. Plenty for a party and I suggest providing an alternative dip for those who prefer a different option.
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