fbpx

What to Serve With Clams: 15 Best Side Dishes

Enhancing your clam dish with the perfect side dishes can elevate your meal to new heights. Consider pairing your clams with a cheesy baked garlic baguette for a savory, crunchy treat, or creamy mashed potatoes which absorb the flavorful broth. Linguine pasta, with its delicate texture, complements clams beautifully, especially when tossed in a spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Sourdough bread is perfect for soaking up juices, thanks to its tangy flavor. Don't forget oyster crackers for a classic, crunchy contrast. Each of these sides brings unique flavors to your seafood feast, creating a delightful dining experience. Continue to discover more delicious options.

Cheesy Baked Garlic Baguette

tasty comfort food recipe

A Cheesy Baked Garlic Baguette offers a savory and indulgent side dish that pairs perfectly with clams.

This crispy baguette, topped with gooey cheese, fresh garlic, and herbs, complements the clams' rich flavors.

The high heat baking process creates a melty cheese topping, while the crusty bread soaks up the delicious broth, adding a satisfying crunch and cheesy goodness to the meal.

Linguine Pasta

al dente linguine perfection

Linguine pasta seamlessly complements clams, offering a delicate texture that absorbs and enhances the savory broth. The long, thin shape of linguine pasta balances the brininess of clams, creating a harmonious dish.

Adding a spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce elevates the flavor profile, while parmesan adds richness. This pairing melds seafood and pasta into one delightful meal.

Sourdough Bread

delicious homemade artisan bread

Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavor and airy texture, serves as the perfect companion to clams, effortlessly soaking up the savory broth.

Naturally leavened with wild yeast and lactobacilli, its chewy crust and soft interior enhance any seafood dish.

Whether enjoyed on its own, toasted with butter, or used creatively, sourdough's robust profile and corn-like sweetness perfectly complement clams' brininess.

Mashed Potatoes

crispy thanksgiving turkey skin

Complementing the tangy allure of sourdough bread, mashed potatoes offer a creamy and comforting side that perfectly absorbs the flavorful broth accompanying clams.

Using Russet or Yukon gold potatoes provides a rich texture that enhances the dish.

Mashed potatoes add a satisfying element to the meal, easily customized with various seasonings and herbs to elevate your dining experience alongside steamed clams.

Oyster Crackers

small crunchy soup addition

Oyster crackers, with their small, round, and salted form, serve as a quintessential crunchy companion to clam dishes. These delightful crackers not only add a satisfying texture but also provide a salty contrast to the briny flavor of clams.

Perfect for absorbing broth or sauce, oyster crackers enhance the overall dining experience, making them a classic and popular choice for seafood lovers.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

delicious holiday side dish

Why not elevate your clam dish with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts, which offer a sweet and nutty flavor when cooked till crispy?

Seasoned with parmesan and Italian seasoning, these sprouts become a savory delight. Roasting enhances their natural sweetness and adds a delightful crunch.

Pairing them with steamed clams provides a nutritious and delicious balance of textures and flavors.

Green Beans Almondine

delicious green beans dish

Green Beans Almondine is a classic French side dish that offers a perfect blend of nutty flavors and satisfying crunch. It is the perfect accompaniment to steamed clams. The buttery richness of sautéed green beans and toasted almonds beautifully complements the brininess of the seafood. Simple yet flavorful, this dish enhances your meal with its vibrant green color and deliciously balanced taste.

Serve Green Beans Almondine with clams to create a delightful combination that is sure to impress your guests.

Lemon Garlic Broccoli

saut ed broccoli with seasonings

Lemon Garlic Broccoli is an exquisite side dish that pairs beautifully with clams, infusing your meal with a harmonious blend of bright and savory flavors.

This dish features tender broccoli florets coated in a vibrant lemon garlic sauce, creating a burst of freshness.

Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, it adds a colorful and nutritious element to your dining experience, enhancing the natural taste of clams.

Grilled Corn Ribs

delicious summer bbq side

Following the vibrant flavors of Lemon Garlic Broccoli, Grilled Corn Ribs offer a sweet and smoky counterpart that enhances the overall dining experience with clams.

Grilled corn, cut into rib-like sections, caramelizes beautifully, adding depth and a satisfying crunch. Seasoned with herbs, spices, or butter, these ribs can be customized to suit your palate, making them a fun and flavorful addition to your meal.

Caprese Salad

fresh tomatoes mozzarella basil

A Caprese Salad, with its fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves, offers a invigorating and light contrast to the brininess of clams.

This classic Italian dish, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze, is not only visually appealing but also a perfect balance of juicy, creamy, and aromatic flavors.

Its simplicity and elegance make it an excellent seafood companion.

Tossed Green Salad

tossed green salad recipe

Tossed green salad provides an invigorating and crisp contrast to the rich flavors of clams, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Featuring a mix of fresh greens such as lettuce and spinach, it can be customized with sweet corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Tossed with a light vinaigrette, this salad not only adds a rejuvenating touch but also boosts the meal's nutritional value.

Crispy Kale and Quinoa Salad

healthy salad with crunchiness

For a more adventurous and nutrient-packed side, consider serving a Crispy Kale and Quinoa Salad alongside your clams.

This side dish offers a satisfying crunch with baked kale chips, combined with the heartiness of quinoa. Loaded with veggies and enhanced by a homemade dressing, this salad provides a delightful balance of textures and flavors, making it a healthy and delicious choice.

Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad

fresh and zesty salad

Featuring a delightful combination of orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and a zesty lemon dressing, Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad is an invigorating and flavorful side dish perfect for pairing with clams.

The tangy flavor from the lemon dressing complements the nutty orzo and fresh spinach, creating a well-balanced, vibrant dish.

This versatile salad can be enjoyed warm or cold, enhancing any meal with its bright, citrusy kick.

Baked Apples

cinnamon sugar dessert recipe

Complementing the bright and zesty flavors of Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad, baked apples offer a comforting touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with clams.

Typically prepared by stuffing cored apples with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, baked apples are easy to make.

This classic side dish adds a delightful contrast to the brininess of clams, enhancing your meal.

Glazed Carrots

glazed carrots recipe details

Glazed carrots present a sweet and savory side dish that enhances the briny flavors of clams while adding a vibrant pop of color to the plate.

The natural flavors of the carrots caramelize beautifully when cooked in butter, brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon or ginger.

This easy-to-prepare dish offers a tender texture and sweet taste, perfectly balancing the saltiness of clams.