Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce is a savory, flavorful seafood dish that features perfectly steamed clams in a rich, buttery, and garlicky cream sauce. With the addition of white wine, this dish is elevated to restaurant-quality and perfect for a special meal, date night, or even a cozy weekend dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 pounds little neck clams

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 medium shallots, diced

• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 cup clam juice

• ¾ cup dry white wine

• ½ cup heavy cream

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

1. Soak clams in cold water for at least 30 minutes and drain well.

2. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

3. Stir in clam juice and white wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the clams, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook until the clams have opened, about 8-10 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.

5. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and chives.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 310 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 8g

• Protein: 24g

• Fat: 20g

• Sodium: 880mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 2g

Why Choose Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce?

Clams are often associated with fine dining, but they’re surprisingly simple to prepare and offer a rich, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of butter and cream. When cooked properly, clams open up to reveal their sweet, briny taste, which is beautifully complemented by the garlic and white wine sauce. The addition of heavy cream helps to balance the acidity from the wine, resulting in a velvety, smooth sauce that envelops the clams in a luxurious coat of flavor.

This dish is perfect for those looking to enjoy the delicate taste of shellfish in a more refined yet approachable form. It’s a fantastic option for seafood lovers who enjoy the complexity of flavors but want to keep the preparation relatively simple. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a novice, this recipe will impress your guests or provide you with a special meal that requires little effort but delivers big flavor.

The Role of Clams in the Dish

The clams are undoubtedly the star of this dish. Little neck clams are often the best choice due to their tender meat and relatively smaller size, making them easier to eat and perfect for a dish like this. Clams are also a great source of protein, providing about 24 grams per serving, as well as a variety of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, iron, and selenium. The natural brininess of the clams is a key component of the dish, offering a subtle salty note that enhances the cream sauce without overwhelming the flavors.

Before cooking, it’s important to soak the clams in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This step helps them expel any sand or grit, ensuring that the final dish is clean and free from any unpleasant texture. Once they’re soaked and drained, the clams are ready to take center stage in this savory seafood creation.

Building the Flavorful Sauce

The base of this dish is a garlic butter sauce. Melting unsalted butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven, you start by sautéing minced garlic and diced shallots. Shallots offer a subtle sweetness and mild onion flavor, which blends perfectly with the richness of the butter. Garlic, of course, brings its aromatic, savory depth, infusing the butter with a fragrant base.

For those who enjoy a little heat, crushed red pepper flakes are added to the sauté, lending a slight spicy kick that contrasts with the richness of the cream sauce. This touch of heat elevates the overall flavor, but it’s entirely optional, allowing the dish to cater to different palates.

Next, clam juice and dry white wine are introduced, creating the liquid foundation for the sauce. The clam juice contributes to the briny, oceanic flavor that pairs so well with shellfish, while the white wine adds acidity and complexity. As the wine and clam juice come to a boil and then simmer, the flavors concentrate, providing a robust base for the creamy finish.

Cooking the Clams to Perfection

The clams are added to the sauce, and this is where the magic happens. As the clams cook in the simmering sauce, they begin to open, releasing their sweet and briny juices into the sauce. This cooking process takes only about 8-10 minutes, and it’s essential to monitor the clams carefully. Discard any clams that do not open, as they may not be fresh.

Once the clams have opened and the sauce has absorbed all the wonderful flavors, it’s time to stir in the heavy cream. The cream adds a luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce, making it rich and indulgent. A quick stir ensures that the cream is fully incorporated into the sauce, resulting in a smooth, creamy base that clings to the clams.

Perfect Seasoning

The final step before serving is to season the dish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The seasoning is critical because it helps balance the richness of the cream and butter, as well as the natural briny flavor of the clams. The addition of freshly chopped parsley and chives at the end provides a burst of color and fresh herbal notes that lighten the dish and offer a contrast to the rich sauce.

Serving Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce

Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce can be served in a variety of ways, depending on the occasion and your preferences. For a simple and elegant presentation, serve the clams directly in the cooking pot or Dutch oven, garnished with the fresh herbs. This method allows the sauce to stay warm and provides a rustic, casual feel to the meal.

For a more formal presentation, serve the clams individually in shallow bowls with some of the sauce ladled over them. This method is ideal for dinner parties or romantic dinners. The sauce can also be served with a side of crusty bread, which is perfect for dipping into the rich, creamy sauce and soaking up all the delicious flavors. Alternatively, you can serve the clams over a bed of pasta, like linguine or spaghetti, to make the meal more substantial.

Nutritional Profile of Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce

Despite its rich flavors, Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce is relatively moderate in calories, with approximately 310 calories per serving. The dish offers a good amount of protein, thanks to the clams, and contains 24 grams of protein per serving. The fat content is also considerable, with 20 grams per serving, primarily coming from the butter and heavy cream. While this dish is indulgent, it is balanced by the presence of clams, which provide essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and selenium.

The dish contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates (8g), making it a good option for those following a low-carb or keto diet. The sauce is rich but not overwhelming, making it a great choice for a special meal without being too heavy.

Customizing the Dish

If you’re looking to add a personal touch to this dish, there are several ways to customize it. For a stronger flavor, you can add a splash of brandy or a little bit of dijon mustard to the sauce. You can also experiment with different herbs, such as thyme, basil, or tarragon, to enhance the dish’s aromatic qualities. For a twist on the classic, try adding sautéed spinach, kale, or mushrooms to the sauce for additional depth and texture.

For those who prefer a lighter version, consider using a lighter cream or even a dairy-free alternative to make the dish more suitable for different dietary preferences.

Conclusion

Garlic Butter Clams with White Wine Cream Sauce is a refined and flavorful dish that combines the natural sweetness of clams with the richness of butter, garlic, and cream. With the addition of white wine, the sauce reaches new heights of depth and complexity, making this a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to recreate at home. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a cozy night, or impressing guests, this dish is sure to be a standout. Serve it with a side of crusty bread or over pasta for a complete, satisfying meal that is as delicious as it is elegant.