Clam Dip Recipe

Clam dip is the perfect summer appetizer. I don’t think there’s a better thing to snack on while you wait for your meat and veggies to come off the grill.

It’s bright, refreshing, and flavorful. And this clam dip recipe is the best. It’s perfect for sports parties or a summer potlucks.

It’ll be the first dish to be finished!

The second-best thing about this clam dip recipe (the first being its extraordinary flavor) is that it’s super simple. You can make it in 5 minutes!

Keep scrolling to learn more about this tasty snack, and all our tips and tricks to make clam dip.

Ingredients Needed

You’ll need five simple ingredients for this 5-minute appetizer:

• Minced clams. There’s no need to worry about mincing clams yourself. Simply buy a can of minced clams, drain them, and reserve the juice.

• Cream cheese. One block of full-fat, unflavored cream cheese works best. Be sure to set it out early and let it soften.

• Worcestershire sauce. You may not be able to pronounce it correctly. But Worcestershire sauce is a must-have ingredient in dips. It adds a rich, robust flavor that’s absolutely unmatchable.

• Minced garlic. Freshly minced is best, but you can save time by buying the store-bought kind.

• Lemon juice. Again, freshly squeezed works best, but the bottled stuff will do in a pinch.

How to Make Clam Dip

There’s really nothing to making this dip. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Combine. Combine all the ingredients and mix well.

2. Thin. If required, thin the dip with some of the reserved clam juice. (This step may not be necessary if you like thick dip.)

3. Serve. Serve with whatever dippers you like best, and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few best practices for making clam dip:

• Let it chill. Make your dip at least a few hours ahead of time. Then, store it in the fridge. This gives the flavors a chance to blend together for a perfect dip.

• Blend for a smoother dip. Want the clams to be totally undetectable? Put them in a blender with the clam juice and pulse it a few times so the clams get tiny!

• Lessen the fishiness. Combine the clams and the lemon juice. Let them sit for 3-5 minutes before continuing with the rest of the ingredients.

• Use softened cream cheese. If you don’t have the chance to set it out, pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. 

• Keep it cool. If you’re traveling to a picnic or potluck, make sure to keep your dip chilled in a cooler. No cooler? Place the container of dip in a baking dish and surround it with ice.

• Garnish. Add chopped chives or fresh parsley to give it a little pop of color.

Recipe Variations

Try some of these flavor variations:

• Add some heat. For a little kick, add about 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish or horseradish mustard to the sauce. A few splashes of hot sauce will also do the trick.

• Make it earthy. Add a teaspoon or two of chives. Two teaspoons of finely minced shallots will also taste amazing. Finally, you can go with onion juice or grated onion.

• Try a different fish. Smoked fish, chopped oysters, or chopped canned shrimp are all fun switch-ups.

• Substitute sour cream for cream cheese. Doing so will give you a bit more of that traditional dip flavor.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite things to dunk in clam dip are ruffled potato chips. The ruffled edges make it easier to get a nice, big scoop of dip. Kettle chips are nice, too.

You can also serve it with your favorite veggies such as broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.

Here are a few other options:

• Crackers
• Baguette slices
• Pretzels or pretzels bites
• Toasted pita chips

A fun way to present your clam dip for a party is to serve it up inside a big bread bowl!

Just carve out space in a round loaf, leave a good amount of crust on the edges, and then fill it up with your dip. Yum! 

How Long Does Clam Dip Last?

There isn’t a lot that you need to know about storing this dip. Plus, it’s so good, it’s sure to be gone in a flash, anyway!

Canned clams are already cooked, so there’s nothing raw in this recipe.

Store any leftover dip in the refrigerator, covered tightly, and it should last about a week.