Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter
Fresh clams steamed in a fragrant garlic butter broth, inspired by coastal oyster bars for a bright and briny seafood starter. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs scrubbed fresh littleneck clams, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, scrubbed fresh littleneck clams
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- for serving crusty bread
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Pour in 1 cup dry white wine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Add 2 lbs scrubbed littleneck clams to the pot, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Step 4: Steam the clams for 6-8 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally, until all the clams have opened (discard any unopened clams).
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness. Serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bay House Oyster Bar Style Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
