New England style stuffed clams are a delicious appetizer made with steamed clams & seasoned buttered breadcrumbs, baked until crisp on top but moist inside.
One of the great things for me about having lived in a few different places, and traveling, is trying different foods and in particular the regional specialties. Sometimes they are everywhere, sometimes they take a little more hunting down or you just don’t notice them at first. They can often be fairly simple, humble dishes using local produce to show it off at it’s best, or dishes that suit the climate perfectly, whether that’s something warm and hearty or light and refreshing.
Having lived in the Boston area for a few years now we’ve managed to try a good number of the regional foods, many of them a few times. New England style stuffed clams are a regional dish that I wasn’t aware of before we moved here but it’s one we’ve grown to love. However I had never made them myself, until now. Now that today’s Sunday Supper theme of regional specialties has prompted me to try, though, I know I’ll have to make them again.
New England style stuffed clams are very common at festivals and events in the area and are a staple in summer ‘clam shacks’ alongside lobster rolls, battered seafood and chowder. Sometimes they are called stuffed quahogs, after the name of one of the most common types of clam they are made from. One of our local fish markets has a restaurant where we’ve had them but I’ve also memorably enjoyed them at the cranberry festival we’ve been to in Cape Cod a couple times alongside one of the tastiest seafood bisques I’ve had (one to re-create another day!).
What are New England-style stuffed clams?
New England style stuffed clams are essentially large clams steamed, the meat removed and diced then mixed with a mixture of buttered breadcrumbs, onion, garlic and parsley. There’s usually a bit of additional flavor from some lemon juice and a little paprika or cayenne pepper and some have red pepper mixed in. The mixture is then stuffed back into a half shell from the clams and baked until brown and slightly crisp.
Variations on stuffed clams
The texture of the stuffing can vary from very smooth to a little chunky. Probably unsurprisingly, many commercial versions are a bit heavier on the breadcrumbs than I have made here, but the flavors are essentially the same. I’ve made them slightly chunky as I like to be able to notice the clams in there and alongside less breadcrumbs, you get lots of delicious flavor coming through. The most common type of clams to use are quahogs or cherrystone but I think any large clam would be fine. Smaller ones won’t have enough meat compared to the size of the shell to really work, I think, though if that’s all you can find let me know how they work out.
New England style stuffed clams are something I always associate with enjoying outdoors on a nice day but they really work anytime. They are especially good as an appetizer or alongside other foods to make up a lunch or dinner. However you have them is up to you, but do give them a try as they are truly delicious. They’re a New England treat that should be enjoyed wherever you are.

New England stuffed clams take steamed clams, mix them with seasoned crumbs and bake to perfection.
- 8 clams large, quahogs or cherrystone
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter 45g
- 1/2 onion
- 1 clove garlic large (2 small)
- 1/4 red pepper
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs 30g
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup parmesan 10g, finely grated
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste - I used 1/4tsp and you can tell it's there; you can use paprika if you prefer it not to have the heat)
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Preheat the oven to 350F/175C.
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Rinse the clams of any grit then steam clams in around 1in/23cm boiling water until they open up, around 8-10min. Remove them from the water (save some of it), allow the clams to cool then take them off the shell - if a bit gets stuck don't worry about it, that's the 'foot' that's not as tender to eat. Split the shells open and keep 8 of the best for stuffing. NB if clams don't open on steaming, don't use them, this means they were already dead.
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While the clams are cooking, finely dice the onion and pepper and mince the garlic.
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Warm the butter in a skillet/frying pan and soften the onion in the butter for a minute or two. Then add the garlic and pepper and cook another minute before adding the breadcrumbs.
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Cook the crumbs a minute before adding everything else (parsley, lemon juice, parmesan and cayenne pepper (or paprika). Mix well. Add a tablespoon or two of the water from cooking the clams so that the mixture holds together fairly well.
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Divide the mixture between the 8 shells you held back and press it so it holds together. Put them in a baking dish and bake for approx 20 minutes until they gently brown on top.
Try these other seafood appetizers:
- scallop and chorizo stacks
- hot phyllo crab cups
- oysters Rockefeller
See all the other regional specialties being shared today:
Appetizers:
- Crispy Salmon Bites with Homemade Tartar Sauce by Pine Needles In My Salad
- Loaded Tex-Mex Chile con Queso by The Weekend Gourmet
- New England Style Stuffed Clams by Caroline’s Cooking
Beverages:
- Brandy Old Fashioned by Curious Cuisiniere
- Wine Pairing Recommendations For #SundaySupper Regional Specialties by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Salads:
- Pittsburgh Steak Salad by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Homemade Ranch Dressing by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Tupelo Honey Key Lime Vinaigrette by Family Around the Table
Sauces:
- Alabama White Barbecue Sauce by Cookin’ Mimi
Side Dishes:
- Delaware Crabs by Delaware Girl Eats
- JoJo Potatoes by A Mind Full Mom
- Long Beans with Coconut by Food Lust People Love
- Old Bay Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Southern Collard Greens by Magnolia Days
Soups:
- Mohawk Corn Soup by kimchi MOM
- Steve’s Famous Maryland Crab Soup by Monica’s Table
Main Dish:
- Amish Chicken and Noodles by Palatable Pastime
- Boiled Lobster with Drawn Butter by Taste And See
- Bison Steaks with Cranberry Chimichurri by Tramplingrose
- California Beer Steamed Shrimp by Nosh My Way
- Avocado BLT Sandwich by Brunch-n-Bites
- Cali Inspired Fish Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cheesy Tex Mex Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
- Cola Marinated Steak Tips by Hardly a Goddess
- Corn and Bacon Chowder by Moore or Less Cooking
- Crab-Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Aioli by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Deep Fried Pizza Roll by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice with White Sauce by The Texan New Yorker
- Copycat Hattie B’s Hot Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans by She Loves Biscotti
- How to Make Vegetable Lumpia by Asian In America
- Italian Hot Dog by Simple and Savory
- Mom’s City Chicken by My Life Cookbook
- North Carolina BBQ with Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies by The Freshman Cook
- Philly Cheesesteak Calzones by Baking Sense
- Polish Boy Sandwich by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Spicy Salmon for Tacos by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
- Tex-Mex Slowcooker Chicken and Beef Fajitas by Meal Planning Magic
- West Michigan Wet Burritos by Wholistic Woman
Desserts:
- Upside Down Angel Food Cupcakes by Cooking With Carlee
- Austrian Mohnnudeln (Poppy Seed Noodles) by The Bread She Bakes
- Butter Tarts – A Canadian Tradition by Red Cottage Chronicles
- Carob Cherry Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
- Florida Key Lime Cream Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
- Fried Biscuits by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
- Gooey Butter Cake from Saint Louie! by Our Good Life
- Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets by The Redhead Baker
- San Jose Burnt Almond Cake by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Shoofly Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Spanish Bar Cake by Get the Good Stuff!
- Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Plus Rhubarb Steamed Pudding and Favorite Regional Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement
Kristen @A Mind Full MOm says
Nothing beats fresh seafood!
Caroline's Cooking says
Very true, Kristen!
Deanna says
I have several friends that would love this at my next dinner party!!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Deanna, I hope they’re a hit for you!
Carlee says
Yum! I love stuffed clams, but have never made them at home. I am going to have to give this a try!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Carlee, I hope you enjoy this version!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
With all the time I’ve spent in New England, I don’t think I’ve ever had stuffed clams. But, our grocery store has some huge clams that I’ve had my eye on. Now I know what to do with them!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sarah. Indeed, hope you enjoy them, they’re definitely a tasty way to have clams!
Rachel says
I’ve never had a stuffed clam before, but these look tasty!
Caroline's Cooking says
They really are, Rachel – hope you manage to give them a try!
Stacy says
Those are beautiful, Caroline! I can picture them being passed around at a fancy party. Very impressive!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Stacy, funnily I don’t think of them as dinner party food really since we’ve had them at festivals etc but now you say it I’m sure they would be great!
Eileen says
Yum, they look so good. Certainly a quintessential New English dish.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Eileen, you are right they definitely are!
Hezzi-D says
These look amazing! I’d love to grab a half dozen for myself!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Heather, you’d be forgiven for doing that!
Michelle says
These sound really delicious. I’ll have to give them a try. Sounds like a great shared plate.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Michelle, yes they are great as part of a mix of appetizers, particularly other seafood dishes.
Teri@The Freshman Cook says
These look amazing, and so full of great flavors! Can’t wait to try these!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Teri, I hope you enjoy them!
Christie says
Stuffed clams are SO GOOD!! And I’m a picky seafood eater. They’re just so tender when cooked right.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Christie, so true they’re great when cooked well (and fresh!)
Renee @ReneesKitchenAdventures says
Yummy! I love clams and always look forward to the fall when we have clam bakes around here. These are so colorful and I’m sure absolutely delish!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Renee, I need to have a proper clam bake some time, but these are a lovely way to enjoy them as well.
Barrie says
These look great! I like how they aren’t all bready, and have the focus on the great clam flavor!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Barrie, indeed it’s great to have lots of lovely clam flavor rather than just buttery breadcrumbs and that’s definitely the case with these.
Sara says
I love that you use less breadcrumbs and more chunks! That’s how they should be (in my opinion) Yours look so classy and delicious!! Beautiful recipe!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sara, and glad you agree more clam, less breadcrumb is the way to go!
Monica says
These are gorgeous! I prefer clams to the oysters that are so popular here. Next time the guys bring in a bucket I’m going to try your recipe!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Monica, I hope you enjoy them!
Wendy @ Wholistic Woman says
oh my word, that looks delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Wendy, they are 🙂
Anne says
Yum! I love stuffed clams-I’m not too far from new England (NJ) and I vacation there a lot – love the seasfood when I visit!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Anne, I agree the seafood here is great – good for me who was used to good seafood before, not sure I’d have coped without it!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love clams and these are on my must make list!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Cindy, hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Renee says
What a fantastic summer appetizer! And much better than just plain old clams.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Renee, yes they’re great as an appetizer.
Maria says
Can’t wait to try these as an appetizer… they look great! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Maria, I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Frugal Hausfrau says
So interesting and colorful! I loved learning about your new england version! Thanks for linking up with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Mollie, they’re really tasty too.
Scarlett says
I am nothing short of obsessed with seafood. These clams look incredible!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
You know, I’ve actually never had clams. Your recipe sounds good though.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Lauren, maybe it’s time to change that and give these a try!
Lisa says
Hi Caroline,
i love fresh seafood and these looks so yummy 🙂
Lisa
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Lisa, I agree seafood is great and this is a delicious way to enjoy it.