Garlic Butter Clams Recipe

In less than 20 minutes, you will have amazing seafood! This garlic butter clams recipe is a super simple boiled recipe anyone can make.

Low-Carb Clams

The best thing about the keto diet is that you get a huge variety of proteins that you can choose from. Seafood is not only keto-friendly, it is encouraged – and clams are actually pretty good for you. 

There are a bunch of different ways to prepare clams. From clam bakes to clam chowder, and even steamed clams. My favorite way to prepare clams is to boil them with garlic and lemon. They still maintain their salty flavor and end up with my favorite texture. 

Are Clams Keto-Friendly? 

Yes, clams are a wonderful thing to eat on a keto diet. In 100g of raw clams, there are only 3.57g net carbs. To put it another way, there are 2.43g net carbs in a pound of clams. That’s a lot of clams and not a lot of carbs. 

Not only are they are a lean source of protein, but they are full of other nutritious minerals too. They are packed with heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Clams have also been found to have cancer-preventing properties too. 

Easy Clams Recipe

There are lots of ways you can serve the clams after you boil them. They make a really fancy appetizer for a party. Or, serve them with a delicious chopped salad. You could add the clams to a dish with tomato cream sauce pasta with mushrooms. 

Basil Clams 

Customize this recipe and make a memorable meal that your entire family will enjoy. Clams have a strong seafood flavor, but they are also incredibly versatile and can go with lots of different toppings and sauces. 

A few ways you can customize the clams is to top them with bacon, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top, or drizzle them with hot sauce. 

What To Serve With Clams 

My favorite side dish with clams is asparagus. It’s a vegetable that I usually serve with seafood like fish and shrimp. Another very popular side dish for clams is my mushroom and spinach cauliflower rice. 

If you are going to serve this for dinner, I encourage you to add another protein source to the meal. Clams are not very filling, but they add a complimentary taste to foods like shrimp, tilapia, and lump crab meat.

I can also see them pairing deliciously with some scallops. 

How To Boil Clams 

This is a really simple recipe to follow. Even if you have never boiled clams or prepared clams, this is an excellent place to start.

All of the steps are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• Basically, all you have to do is rinse the clams and then boil them. When you rinse them, let them sit in the water and then rinse them again and try to remove as much sand as you can. 
• Then, saute the butter and garlic until it is fragrant. Add the water to the skillet and then add the clams, cover it and allow the clams to steam for about 8 minutes. 
• You’ll know the clams are finished when they have opened. The flavor of the garlic and butter will permeate the clams as they cook. 

Garlic Butter Clams Recipe

Here is the entire list of ingredients to make these clams. Exact measurements can be found within the printable recipe card below.

INGREDIENTS:
Clams
Lemons
Butter
Garlic 
Water
Basil 

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prior to cooking, be sure to rinse the clams.  Place them in a large bowl with water and let them sit for 15 minutes.  Drain and rinse to get rid of any sand.

2. In a deep skillet (or pot), begin to melt 3 Tbsp of butter.  Add minced garlic; saute until fragrant. 

3. Add water, remaining butter and clams.  

4.Bring to a gentle boil.  Cover and continue to cook for another 7-8 minutes (or until the clams have opened).

Remove from heat and top with the juice of 1 lemon and fresh basil. 

5. Serve with additional lemon wedges if desired.

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Clam Dinner Recipes 

To put together the most amazing clam dinner, serve these recipes on the side. 

• Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta With Mushrooms
• Keto Garlic Knots
• Low-Carb Mushroom & Spinach Cauliflower Rice