Name: Creamy Clam Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 8 ounce can clams, reserve the juice; 16 ounces softened cream cheese*; 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice; 2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; a dash or two of hot sauce; 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

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This creamy clam dip is a perfect party appetizer. It comes together quickly and is a perfect make ahead snack.

bowl of creamy cream cheese clam dip with chip being dipped in baby carrots and cherry tomatoes in the background.

Flavorful cream cheese based clam dip has been a favorite in my family for more decades than I’ve been around. It has vintage roots but is perfectly at home on a modern spread with plenty of chips and vegetables for dipping. A huge double batch is whipped up every time we all get together.

looking down on tray with bowl of creamy clam dip, baby carrots, potato chips and cherry tomatoes

According to the experts at Wikipedia, the recipe for clam dip was first televised in the 1950s. It is said that all of New York City was sold out of canned clams within 24 hours.

I think it’s safe to say it made an impression. I know it definitely made a mark on my family because we’re still eating it almost 70 years later.

bowl of cream cheese, clams and seasoning for making creamy clam dip.

At this stage in the game we rarely measure, we just add the basic ingredients until it feels right. It may be slightly different each time but it’s always yummy.

This time I slowed down and measured so I could share it with you. Of course you should taste as you go and adjust to your preferences.

looking across a glass dish of creamy clam dip with vegetable and chip dippers in background.

As with most chilled dips, the flavor comes together over time. So whip it up a few hours ahead of the party and all you have to do when it’s time is pull it out and grab some chips and veggies.

Great dipper options for creamy clam dip

Ruffled chips
Baby carrots
Cherry tomatoes
Raw broccoli florets
Raw cauliflower

ruffled potato chip freshly dipped in creamy clam dip.

Yummy variations on this clam dip recipe

Stir in a little extra lemon juice
Add a little Old Bay
Give it extra hot sauce

More great dip recipes:

Creamy Fiesta Dip

Deviled Egg Dip

Cajun Shrimp Dip

Warm & Cheesy Kickin' Corn Dip

Bacon Pineapple Jalapeno Popper Dip

Warm and Cheesy Creamy Pulled Pork Dip

Yield: 12 Servings

Creamy Clam Dip

This creamy clam dip is a perfect party appetizer. It comes together quickly and is a perfect make ahead snack.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 teaspoons minced garlic
8 ounce can clams, reserve the juice
16 ounces softened cream cheese*
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
a dash or two of hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Instructions

Drain the can of clams, but do not discard the juice. Set it aside for later.
Mix together the clam chunks, garlic, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
Add a little of the reserved clam juice and mix in. Continue to add a bit at a time until you get a nice dipping consistency. About 1/4 cup usually does it for me.
Adjust seasoning to you liking, the refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

*I usually use either all full fat cream cheese or half full fat and half neufchatel (or reduced fat) cream cheese

Creamy Clam Dip