Clam Dip Recipe

This easy clam dip recipe just takes a few minutes to make. I often make it for the holidays, game nights, and summer BBQs, and always get requests for the recipe. It is so delicious and a staple dip at our home. Even when I double this recipe, it still doesn’t last long!

This classic dip is especially good served with ridged potato chips, to hold as much clam dip as possible. You can make the dip ahead of time or the day of, and it is delicious either way. It is great for parties and simple to make. This clap dip recipe is creamy and flavorful in every bite!

Easy Clam Dip Ingredients

With only four ingredients, you might be wondering what makes this dip stand out above the crowd. Well, as Leonard da Vinci put it – simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Or, simply put – less is more! That is certainly the case here, as these four ingredients combine in a most satisfyingly scrumptious way:

• Minced Clams – We use canned minced clams for this recipe. “Minced” simply means that the clams are chopped or sliced into very small pieces. Canned clams are cooked and tend to be on the chewy side, so mincing them makes them easier to eat. The clam juice in the cans gives the clam dip extra flavor as well. If you have access to fresh clams, by all means, use them! However, the clam flavor will be more potent than using a can of minced clams. For sake of ease and convenience, I usually just stick with the canned clams.
• Softened Cream Cheese – This is the base of the dip and gives it a rich texture. Some clam dips are made with sour cream, which also works, but the dip is not as thick and can be a little runny.
• Worcestershire Sauce – If you’ve never worked with Worcestershire sauce before, it is a condiment made from vinegar and seasoned with anchovies, molasses, tamarind, onion, garlic, and more. It has such a distinct flavor and adds so much depth to this dip. You can see the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon, but you can add more or less, depending on your taste.
• Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed lemon juice is always best if you have fresh lemon on hand. Bottled lemon juice can also be used.
• Additional Seasonings – If you want to kick things up a bit, feel free to use additional seasonings to your taste. Lemon pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, parsley, or a drop or two of hot sauce are all seasonings that will complement this dip.

How to Make Homemade Clam Dip

Combine this clam dip recipe in minutes and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to share with friends and family! It is the perfect dip to share and is a total crowd-pleaser.

1. Blend – Open the clams and discard about half of the clam juice. With an electric mixer, blend the remaining clam juice with cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon pepper (optional).
2. Stir – Once blended, gently stir in the clams.
3. Chill – Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to eat. Serve with potato chips with ridges.

Tips for Making the Best Clam Dip

For the best results, keep these tips in mind when making this clam dip recipe:

• Quality ingredients – Make sure that your ingredients are within the expiration date and are high quality for the best results.
• Soften – Set the cream cheese out to rest at room temperature. Room temperature cream cheese will ensure you have no lumps in your dip.
• Drain – Empty the contents of the canned clams and reserve clam juice for the dip. The juice holds all the flavor of the clams. If you want to add more flavor to the clam dip, drain one to two tablespoons of liquid into the clam dip.
• Flavors – Give the dip a taste right before putting it in the fridge. Make sure that the flavors are balanced right and just how you like it.
• Don’t overmix – Stir and combine the ingredients for a few minutes. Once they are combined, resist the urge to keep mixing. Overmixing will mush the clam together.
• Add a kick of spice – Make it spicy using a squirt or two of Tabasco sauce or sprinkling in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
• Garnish – Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a dash of paprika for a colorful garnish!

What to Serve with Clam Dip

This clam dip recipe is so addictive that you will want to eat it right off the spoon! It pairs well with veggies, chips, crackers, and bread. You can’t go wrong with these ideas:

• Vegetables – Cut-up carrots, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are delicious with clam dip.
• Chips – A strong chip is best like Ruffles or tortilla chips.
• Crackers – Find a thick and sturdy type of cracker to dip in the clam dip dish. Wheat thins or a classic hard cracker will be great!
• Bread- Slice pita bread, naan, baguette, or artisan bread is delicious to dip into the clam dip!

Storing and Making Ahead

• Making ahead – You can make this clam dip recipe 24 hours in advance. Let it sit in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy the next day.
• Storing – Place the make-ahead recipe or the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
• Lasting – The clam dip only lasts about three to four days. Each time you serve it, be sure to stir it together.

So Many Dips, Please Pass the Chips

There’s too much dip on that chip! – Nobody. Whether it’s veggies dipped in hummus, chips in a creamy corn dip, or fruit in a delicious fruit dip, we’ve got you covered with a bunch of great dip recipes:
Dill Pickle Dip
Creamy Corn Dip
Chili Cheese Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip in a Bread Bowl
7 Layer Dip
Caramel Apple Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip