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15+ Sauces for Clams (Easy Clam Sauce Recipes)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

May 16, 2025

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5 from 1 vote

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Collage of sauces for clams with text overlay.

Clams, with their delicate brininess and tender texture, make for a delicious and versatile seafood option. While they are fantastic on their own, pairing them with a flavorful sauce can take your clam dishes to new heights. Whether you’re planning a clam bake, a seafood pasta dish, or simply enjoying a plate of steamed clams, these 15 sauces will add an extra burst of flavor!

Collage of sauces for clams with text overlay.

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These are some of my favorite sauces to serve with clams.

Why?

They’re made with simple ingredients. Plus, they come together so quickly!

Keep reading to discover a new favorite clam dipping sauce. Add in a couple side dishes, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

Clam Sauce Recipes

Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce - Damn Delicious
Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce – Damn Delicious
Classic Garlic Butter Sauce: A timeless favorite, garlic butter sauce complements clams perfectly. The rich buttery taste, combined with the aromatic garlic, enhances the natural sweetness of the clams.
Get the RECIPE from Damn Delicious
Grilled Manila Clams with Lemon Herb Butter
Lemon and Herb Sauce: Brighten up your clams with a tangy and refreshing lemon and herb sauce. The zesty citrus notes paired with a medley of fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and dill, create a delightful combination that enhances the briny flavors of the clams.
Get the RECIPE from Fork Knife Swoon
Bowl of seafood boil sauce with spoon next to seafood boil spread on newspapers.
Easy Seafood Boil Sauce
Seafood Boil Sauce: Learn how to make Seafood Boil Sauce from scratch! It’s a rich and layered butter sauce that’s perfect for Southern seafood boils and for sprucing up your usual weeknight dinner. Easy to make in 20 minutes!
Recipe
Recipe: Clams with Dijon Broth
Dijon Mustard Cream Sauce: Indulge in a creamy and tangy Dijon mustard sauce to elevate your clam dishes. The smooth texture and robust flavor of Dijon mustard, combined with cream, create a luxurious sauce that balances perfectly with the brininess of the clams.
Get the RECIPE from Anything Goes Lifestyle
Sauce with spoon in skillet.
Fra Diavolo Sauce
Spicy Diavolo Sauce: If you crave a kick of heat, opt for diavolo sauce. This fiery tomato-based sauce, infused with garlic, chili flakes, and herbs, adds a bold and vibrant flavor to your clams, creating a tantalizing combination of spice and brininess.
Recipe
Steamed Clams with White Wine and Garlic
White Wine and Shallot Sauce: For an elegant and sophisticated twist, simmer clams in a white wine and shallot sauce. The wine adds depth and complexity, while the shallots impart a subtle sweetness, resulting in a sauce that perfectly complements the delicate flavor of the clams.
Get the RECIPE from Little Ferraro Kitchen
Red Curry, Coconut, and Ginger Infused Steamed Clams
Red Curry, Coconut, and Ginger Infused Steamed Clams
Thai-Inspired Coconut Curry Sauce: Transport your taste buds to the exotic flavors of Thailand with a creamy coconut curry sauce. The aromatic blend of coconut milk, red curry paste, lemongrass, and lime creates a luscious sauce that pairs exceptionally well with clams.
Get the RECIPE from Savory Sweet Life
Clams with Hot Pepper, Saffron & Tomato Confit Recipe
Clams with Hot Pepper, Saffron & Tomato Confit Recipe
Saffron Tomato Sauce: Indulge in a taste of luxury with a saffron-infused tomato sauce. The distinct earthy flavor of saffron combined with the richness of tomatoes creates a sauce that beautifully enhances the sweetness of the clams, leaving you with a truly special dish.
Get the RECIPE from Food and Wine
Overhead shot of chimichurri in small rustic bowl with gold spoon.
Easy Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri Sauce: For a burst of vibrant herbaceous flavors, serve your clams with a zesty chimichurri sauce. This Argentinean condiment made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil adds a refreshing and tangy element to the briny clams.
Recipe
Easy and Delicious Spaghetti Pesto With Clams Recipe
Pesto Genovese Sauce: Transport your clams to the Italian Riviera with a classic pesto Genovese sauce. The combination of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil creates a vibrant and aromatic sauce that brings out the best in the clams.
Get the RECIPE from DIY n Crafts
Jar of chipotle crema with spoon on small plate next to lime wedges and small bowl of chipotles.
Chipotle Crema
Smoky Chipotle Sauce: Add a touch of smoky heat to your clams with a chipotle sauce. This fiery sauce, made from smoky chipotle peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spices, imparts a distinctive flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the clams.
Recipe
Romesco sauce in white bowl next to almonds and crusty bread.
Romesco Sauce + How to Use It!
Romesco Sauce: Originating from Catalonia, Spain, Romesco sauce is a savory blend of roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and olive oil. Its rich and nutty flavor profile adds depth and complexity to the clams, creating a delightful fusion of tastes.
Recipe
Crema arranged on plate with limes and cilantro.
Cilantro Lime Crema
Cilantro Lime Sauce: Capture the bright and vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with a cilantro lime sauce. The combination of zesty lime juice, fresh cilantro, garlic, and a touch of heat creates a tangy and refreshing sauce that pairs wonderfully with clams.
Recipe
Hand holding jar of homemade marinara sauce.
Simple Marinara Sauce
Marinara Sauce: Easy 30 Minute Marinara Sauce offers rich and sweet flavors that can be enjoyed on plenty of dishes. Using basic ingredients & only 1 pot.
Recipe
Overhead shot of shrimp arranged on white plate with cocktail forks and bowl of cocktail sauce in the middle.
Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Cocktail Sauce: This easy Cocktail Sauce recipe is a zesty and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for clams, prawn cocktails, po’ boys, and crab cakes. 
Recipe

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these sauce recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Seafood Sauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Shrimp
  • Sauces for Calamari
  • Sauces for Mussels
  • Sauces for Fried Fish
  • Sauces for Fish
  • Sauces for Lobster
  • Sauces for Salmon
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Coconut Shrimp

Did you Make Any of These Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for clams. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Collage of sauces for clams.

Full Recipe

15+ BEST Sauces for Clams

Wondering what the best sauces for clams are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 15+ tasty clam dipping sauces. Try this Diavolo Sauce. An easy and spicy marinara sauce made with flavor-forward ingredients, like tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and red pepper flakes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more, to taste)
  • 6 large cloves garlic (minced, divided(about 3 TBSP))
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 28- ounce can petite diced tomatoes (drained)
  • 1 cup dry white wine (or vermouth)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (minced)
  • Salt (to taste)

For Serving:

  • 1 pound spaghetti (cooked, pasta cooking liquid reserved)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Once hot, add half of the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is light golden, about 7-10 minutes.
  • Add red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, sugar, tomatoes and wine. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the remaining garlic and parsley.
  • If desired, add spaghetti and toss to combine, adding pasta cooking liquid if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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