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My Favorite Clam Dip

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It is easy to make clam dip at home with a few ingredients, you may even have on hand now.  

That makes this dip easy to whip together for a party or holiday gathering as well as watching the big game this weekend.

How to Make Classic Clam Dip: Easy Recipe and Tips for Success

Clam dip in a bowl.

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.

Reasons to Love This Clam Dip Recipe

If you're looking for a classic party dip that's sure to please a crowd, then look no further than this delicious clam dip recipe. Here are just a few reasons to love this recipe:

It's easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen skills, you can whip up this tasty dip in no time.

You can make this dip entirely by hand, no electric equipment is necessary.

The ingredients are simple.  You'll need to plan ahead and buy a can of minced clams. Also, take your cream cheese out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature before starting to make your dip.

Clam dip ingredients on a counter.


It's packed with flavor: Cream cheese, sour cream, minced clams, and a few simple seasonings come together to create a dip that's creamy, tangy, and delicious.

It's versatile: This clam dip is perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to fancy 
dinner parties. Serve it with crackers, chips, or veggies, and watch as your guests dig in.

Tips for Serving Clam Dip

While we love freshly made potato chips, we don't usually make our own.  A favorite brand of kettle chips is perfect for us. You might want to thin the dip a bit with the reserved clam juice if you are serving it with thinner store-bought potato chips.

The recipe is perfect as is when served with crackers, vegetables, or thick-cut potato chips. A plain cracker is best so the flavors of the cracker don't compete with the clam dip.  Add this dip to a simple charcuterie board.

The dip will thicken when refrigerated, so keep that in mind as you decide on the consistency you want it to have.

Making the Clam Dip


Tips for Clam Dip Success

To make sure your clam dip turns out perfectly every time, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Use softened cream cheese: To make sure your cream cheese blends smoothly with the other ingredients, be sure to let it soften at room temperature for at least an hour before you start.

Drain the clams well: Make sure you drain the canned clams well before adding them to the dip. You don't want the excess liquid to make the dip runny.

Adjust the seasoning to your liking: This recipe calls for garlic powder, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce, but feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Taste the dip as you go and add more or less of each ingredient as needed.

Chill the dip before serving: For the best flavor and texture, be sure to chill the dip for at least an hour before serving. This will give the flavors a chance to meld together and the dip to firm up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes! This clam dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent it from drying out.

What can I serve with this dip?

This clam dip is delicious with a variety of dippers, including crackers, chips, sliced baguette, and veggies like carrots, celery, and cucumbers.

Can I use fresh clams instead of canned ones?

While you could use fresh clams instead of canned, it will be a bit more work. You'll need to shuck the clams and chop them finely before adding them to the dip. Plus, fresh clams can be expensive and hard to find in some areas.

Can I make this dip spicy?

Absolutely! Just add more Tabasco sauce or other spicy ingredients like diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the dip to give it some heat.

Other Dips to Serve with Clam Dip

Here are two of my other favorite dip recipes.  These are crowd-pleasers!
Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelized Onion Dip

My Favorite Salsa recipe makes plenty and you'll need it.  This recipe is a real crowd pleaser!

My Favorite Salsa

Other Favorite Appetizers to Serve at a Party

These are party favorites.

Coconut Shrimp, is another easy air fryer recipe.
Parmesan Pigs in a Puff Pastry Blanket, a special twist on an old favorite appetizer.
Crunchy Crab Cakes, a make-ahead appetizer.
Easy Cheesy Stuffed mushrooms will fly off your serving platter.


The Clam Dip Recipe

appetizer, dip, clam dip
Appetizer
American
Yield: 6-8
Author: Donna Urso
Favorite Clam Dip

Favorite Clam Dip

An easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dip made with just a few simple ingredients.
Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

Clam Dip

Instructions

To Prepare the Dip
  1. 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).
  2. Drain the clams. Place the clams in a small bowl and add the lemon juice. Set aside.
  3. Place the cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl and add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, minced onion, and Tabasco sauce.
  4. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  5. Add the clams and lemon juice, stirring to combine.
  6. 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, and thinner for chips.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavor. Serve with your favorite dip accompaniments.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

171.96

Fat (grams)

10.57 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

5.80 g

Carbs (grams)

10.10 g

Fiber (grams)

0.18 g

Net carbs

9.92 g

Sugar (grams)

6.62 g

Protein (grams)

9.15 g

Sodium (milligrams)

540.18 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

48.50 mg

Nutrional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Caramelized Onion Dip-The Only Dip You will Ever Need

Easy Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms

Delightfully Delicious Shrimp Dip

https://www.justonedonna.com/2017/02/my-favorite-clam-dip.html
©Just One Donna
You can get inspiration for many other appetizers from my Appetizers Pinterest Board.

Pin This!
An easy, classic clam dip recipe perfect for parties or a snack at home. Made with simple ingredients and a few easy steps.






Enjoy!


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Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 12, 2026 at 5:19 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna UrsoJune 13, 2026 at 9:17 AM

      Dear 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.

      Delete

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