If you’re wondering what to serve with your clams, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 11 of the most popular side dishes for clams.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with clams are linguine pasta, lemon and garlic broccoli, Caprese salad, green beans amandine, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Add some texture by serving cheesy baked garlic baguette, sourdough bread, crispy kale and quinoa, or oyster crackers.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Cheesy baked garlic baguette
Add some crunch to your clam dinner by serving a cheesy garlic baguette on the side.
This crusty, savory, and buttery baguette contrasts so well with the soft-textured clams.
Plus, it’s a super straightforward dish to make.
Drizzle butter over the cut side of the baguette and stuff chopped fresh garlic into the center.
Remember to smear plenty of cheese on top for a garlic baguette bursting with garlicky and cheesy flavors.
Linguine pasta
Steamed clams can be a little too fishy on their own.
This is where pasta comes in, giving life to the popular linguine with clams dishes.
Some use creamy garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce but you can also use your leftover clam juice too.
Want some flavor and vibrancy to your meal?
Try this linguine with spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce recipe.
One of the most indulgent pasta dishes you’ll ever taste.
Sourdough bread
Sourdough is a naturally fermented bread that is an excellent alternative to regular bread.
It boasts a fluffy inside and a crackly crunchy crust that complements the tender clams perfectly.
The best part?
You can use your sourdough slices to mop up your clam juices or chowder.
Head on over to Heartbeet Kitchen to start making your sourdough bread bowl.
Caprese salad
The vibrant combination of tomatoes, cheese, and basil looks beautiful on a platter alongside a neutral-colored clam dish.
Caprese salad is also super easy to make.
You’ll only need a few fresh items that you probably already have in your fridge.
Drizzle some tangy-sweet balsamic glaze over your Caprese salad to complete the dish.
Tossed green salad
One of the easiest side dishes to prepare is a tossed green salad.
It is a light, refreshing side that goes perfectly with almost everything! Clams included.
You only need lettuce, cucumber, sunflower seeds, and red onion (tossed in a homemade dressing).
You can add in some bacon bits if you feel its getting a bit too healthy.
Serve it with your steamed clams so you’ll have an eye-catching, insta-worthy plate.
Get this simple tossed green salad recipe here.
Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes elevate any meal into something extra special.
Its smooth, buttery texture absorbs all the clam juices, increasing the yum factor.
The best part?
You won’t need to put in a lot of time and ingredients to make a delicious side.
Mash your potatoes with a fork, stir in the melted butter-milk combination, grated Parmesan, sour cream, and chives.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve.
Tip: choose Russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes for a flavorful and creamy mashed potato dish.
Roasted brussel sprouts
Warning: Simply addictive!
Mind you! Even the pickiest vegetable eaters will appreciate this dish.
Contrary to popular belief, Brussel sprouts are not bitter.
They have a sweet and nutty flavor when cooked properly.
Serve this crispy roasted parmesan sprouts recipe with a generous helping of steamed clams to get a decadent but well balanced meal.
Green beans amandine
Green beans amandine is a classic side dish made with half-cooked fresh green beans, some basic seasonings (salt, pepper, and garlic), and toasted almonds.
Amandine is a term that simply means ‘a dish cooked with almonds’.
The subtle flavors and satisfying crunch of green beans make them a solid side to serve with your clam main dish.
Make this green beans amandine recipe tonight!
Crispy kale and quinoa
Want something nutritious but comforting at the same time?
Crispy kale and quinoa are the answer!
Each bite provides a delightful depth of taste and crunch.
Add a generous helping of steamed clams on top to complete this guilt-free dish.
A spicy perspective offers crispy kale and quinoa salad packed to the brim with earthy flavors and nutrients.
Lemon and garlic broccoli
Bring some color and nutrition to your clam dish by adding some bright lemon-y broccoli on the side.
If broccoli tastes to for you, worry no more!
Infuse it with lemon and garlic to turn it into something remarkable.
This gluten-free, low-carb side dish is suitable for a weeknight meal but also fancy enough for a summer party.
Here’s the recipe: Easy Broccoli With Garlic And Lemon.
Oyster crackers
No clam chowder is served without oyster crackers.
A classic for a reason, the crispy crackers contrast with the delicate, creamy soup.
You’ll often see oyster crackers served with clam chowder, but they also work really well with steamed clams and grilled clams too.
This oyster crackers recipe is so addictive. You’ll struggle not to eat them all at once!
The best side dishes for clams
- Cheesy baked garlic baguette
- Linguine pasta
- Sourdough bread
- Caprese salad
- Tossed green salad
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted brussel sprouts
- Green beans amandine
- Crispy kale and quinoa
- Lemon and garlic broccoli
- Oyster crackers
Related: substitutes for clam juice
What To Serve With Clams
Ingredients
- 1 portion clams steamed, baked, grilled, etc
Instructions
- Prepare your clams according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: cheesy baked garlic baguette, linguine pasta, sourdough bread, Caprese salad, tossed green salad, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans amandine, crispy kale and quinoa, lemon and garlic broccoli, and oyster crackers.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
