Butter Garlic Steamed Clams

These Butter Garlic Steamed Clams are one of the easiest seafood dinners you can make at home, using simple ingredients like fresh clams, white wine, garlic, and butter. The broth is light, but packed with flavor from the clam juice and fresh lemon, perfect for soaking up with crusty bread.

This is a quick, restaurant-quality dish that comes together in about 20 minutes, and feels just as special as something you’d order out. Before you start, make sure to properly clean your clams using my How to Clean Clams guide to remove any sand and grit for the best texture and flavor. Of course, this dish would make a perfect addition to your Feast of the Seven Fishes meal on Christmas Eve.

Why You Will Love This Butter Garlic Steamed Clams Recipe

• Easy steamed clams recipe for beginners – This is a simple, approachable seafood recipe that anyone can make at home with minimal effort.
• Quick weeknight seafood dinner – Ready in about 20 minutes, this butter garlic steamed clams recipe is perfect for when you want something fresh and flavorful for dinner.
• Restaurant-style clams at home – This easy clam dish tastes like classic steamed clams in white wine you’d order at a seafood restaurant, only better.
• Perfect for dipping crusty bread – The buttery garlic broth is ideal for soaking up with toasted baguette or sourdough.
• Made with simple, fresh ingredients – Fresh clams, garlic, lemon, and herbs create a bright, coastal flavor.
• Low-carb and gluten-free option – This easy seafood recipe naturally fits into low-carb lifestyles when served without bread.

Best Clams to Use for Steamed Clams

Choosing the right type of clams makes a big difference in both flavor and texture for this butter garlic steamed clams recipe. You want small, tender clams that cook quickly and soak up the garlic butter broth.

• Littleneck clams – The most popular choice for steamed clams. They are small, tender, slightly sweet, and perfect for quick cooking. This is the best option for a classic steamed clams recipe.
• Manila clams – Slightly softer and more delicate than littlenecks with a naturally sweet flavor. These are excellent for garlic butter clams and cook very quickly.
• Cockles – Smaller than littlenecks with a briny flavor. They work well but may require a little extra cleaning due to sand.

Clams to avoid for this recipe:

• Cherrystone clams – Larger and tougher, better suited for stuffing or grilling
• Chowder clams (quahogs) – Too large and chewy for steaming in a light garlic butter sauce

For best results, always use fresh, live clams that are tightly closed or close when tapped. Fresh clams will give you the cleanest flavor and the best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Clams: Littleneck, Manila, or even cockles work well in this butter garlic steamed clams recipe.
• White wine: Substitute with additional clam broth or chicken stock, if needed.
• Clam juice: Seafood stock or chicken broth can work in a pinch.
• Butter: Easily swap out with olive oil.
• Red pepper flakes: Omit, or replace with fresh chili.
• Parsley: Substitute with basil or chives.
• Bread: Use toasted baguette, sourdough, or even garlic bread.

How to Prepare Butter Garlic Steamed Clams

1. Soak and rinse the clams. Reserve in fridge.
2. Melt the butter in a deep pan. 
3. Add in the minced garlic and shallots. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.
4. Sauté for a minute, or two.
5. Pour white wine. Allow the alcohol to cook off for a few minutes.
6. Pour in the clam juice and lemon juice.
7. Allow the broth to come to a heavy simmer.
8. Add in the reserved clams.
9. Place lid to allow the clams to steam open.
10. Discard any clams that fail to open.
11. Once clams have fully opened, remove pan from heat. 
12. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
13. Serve with crusty bread and lemon wedges.

How to Serve and Store

• Serve these butter garlic steamed clams hot, right out of the pot, with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter broth.
• Pair pasta, a light salad, or roasted vegetables.
• Store cooked clams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.
• Reheat by gently warming on the stovetop (avoid overcooking the clams).

Frequently Asked Questions

More Steamed Clam Recipes to Love

• Chorizo in a Tomato Broth
• Clams with Sausage
• Sambucca Cream Sauce
• Clams in a Red Curry Coconut Broth

This butter garlic steamed clams recipe is a quick and easy seafood dinner made with fresh clams, white wine, garlic, and clam juice. Whether you’re looking for an easy steamed clams recipe, a light garlic butter seafood dish, or restaurant-style clams at home, this recipe delivers bold flavor with simple ingredients. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, these clams are best served with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

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