Grilled clams with garlic butter is a delicious seafood option that adds flavor to any cookout. This elegant dish is simple but flavorful, try it for dinner tonight!
Summertime means cookouts, and what’s a cookout without some delicious grilled seafood? This recipe for grilled clams is simple but flavorful, perfect for impressing your guests.
Clams are a delicious and healthy seafood option that can be grilled easily at home. The clams are cooked in their shells, so they stay nice and juicy.
Clams are marinated in garlic butter sauce, adding a delicious flavor, then grilled over medium heat until slightly charred. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have these succulent clams on the grill in no time at all.
The next time you are in the mood for fresh seafood, give this clam recipe a try!
Serve with lemon wedges and a crusty baguette for dipping in the garlicky juices.
Grilled Garlic Butter Clams Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 dozen clams (use fresh clams)
- 1 Stick of Salted Butter (½ cup)
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic Cloves
- 1 Tablespoon chopped Parsley
- 2 Lemon Wedges
Directions:
The first step and an important part of the recipe is to clean clams. Soak them in cold, fresh water in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of cornmeal for 20 minutes. The sand that’s stuck inside the shells will spit out when they’re done!
Preheat your grill to medium/high and place an 8-inch cast iron skillet on the grill grates with the butter inside.
Melt butter before adding the garlic and parsley and stir well. Leave on the grates throughout the cooking process.
During the butter melting process, once the grill heats up, place clams on the grate. Allow them to cook for 15 minutes or until the clams pop open.
Once the clams are finished, place them in a serving bowl, spoon butter mixture over the top, and squeeze the lemon wedges over the contents of the bowl. Enjoy!
Tips:
- The clams may not pop open super wide, they may just crack open a little. This still means they’re finished so don’t overcook them.
- Close the lid on the grill and leave it closed. It doesn’t need babysitting and the process works better when the lid isn’t lifted multiple times throughout.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe as the sauce can go a long way.
- If you only have unsalted butter, simply add a teaspoon of sea salt to the butter mixture.
What to Serve with Clams?
Serve clams with a light, refreshing dish to brighten up their delicate flavor. Clams are often served with linguine in a white wine and garlic sauce, but they can really be paired with just about anything.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try serving them with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, corn, or even a simple green salad.
What Type of Wine is Best to Pair with Grilled Clams?
While there are many different types of wine that pair well with grilled clams, a dry white wine is always a good choice. For example, a chilled white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are both great options.
There are a few different types of clams that are good for grilling, but in our opinion, the best clams to grill are littleneck or cherrystone clams.
Cooked clams can last in the fridge for up to three days. Once they’ve been cooked, it’s important to keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. If the container is not airtight, the clams will spoil quickly.
Clams are delicious seafood that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. But how do you know if they’re fresh and not bad? Here are a few tips:
First, take a look at the shell. The shell of live clams should be tightly closed. Open clams are probably not fresh. Second, give it a smell test. If it smells fishy or off, it’s probably not fresh. Third, touch it. A fresh clam should be firm to the touch, not slimy.
Grilled Clams with Garlic Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 Clams
- 1 Stick of Salted Butter (½ cup)
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Parsley
- 2 Lemon Wedges
Instructions
Preheat your grill to medium/high and place an 8-inch cast iron skillet on the grate with the butter inside.
Allow the butter to melt before adding the garlic and parsley and stirring well. Leave on the grates throughout the cooking process.
During the butter melting process, once the grill heats up, place the clams on the grate. Allow them to cook for 15 minutes or until the clams pop open.
Once the clams are finished, place them in a serving bowl, pour the butter sauce over the top, and squeeze the lemon wedges over the contents of the bowl. Enjoy!
Notes
What to Serve with Clams?
Serve clams with a light, refreshing dish to brighten up their delicate flavor. Clams are often served with linguine in a white wine and garlic sauce, but they can really be paired with just about anything.
If you're looking for something a little different, try serving them with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, grilled corn, or even a simple green salad.
What Type of Wine is Best to Pair with Grilled Clams?
While there are many different types of wine that pair well with grilled clams, a dry white wine is always a good choice. For example, a chilled white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are both great options.
What Kind of Clams are Best to Grill?
There are a few different types of clams that are good for grilling, but in our opinion, the best clams to grill are littleneck or cherrystone clams.
How Long Do Cooked Clams Last in the Fridge?
Cooked clams can last in the fridge for up to three days. Once they've been cooked, it's important to keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. If the container is not airtight, the clams will spoil quickly.
How To Tell If Clams Are Bad?
Clams are delicious seafood that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. But how do you know if they're fresh and not bad? Here are a few tips:
First, take a look at the shell. The shell of live clams should be tightly closed. Open clams are probably not fresh. Second, give it a smell test. If it smells fishy or off, it's probably not fresh. Third, touch it. A fresh clam should be firm to the touch, not slimy.