When it comes to summer celebrations, we can’t get enough of a classic clambake on the beach. These seaside soirees make use of freshly caught seafood, and as more casual affairs, they’re a great way to bring friends and family together. So grab your favorite New England-style recipes and start planning your summer clambake today.
What Is a Clambake?
Quite simply, a clambake is a celebration of seafood and all that summer has to offer. Most clambakes include clams, of course, but also a bounty of other seafood like crab legs and lobster. You’ll also find steamed potatoes, corn on the cob, fresh lemon and all the melted butter you could possibly ask for.
Clambakes are most popular on the coasts where fresh clams, lobster and crab are plentiful, though you’ll find similar traditions all over the country like low country boils in the South and fish boils in parts of the Midwest. Whatever you serve up, we love clambakes and boils because they’re casual and fun—spread your dishes across the picnic table or on platters and you’re ready to go (no fussy placesetting needed).
How to Prepare a Traditional Clambake
Traditionally, a clambake is prepared by digging a hole in the ground—if you’re near the beach, even better. The bottom of the hole is layered with large stones and a fire is lit on top. This fire blazes for a few hours allowing those rocks—what’s really going to cook the clams—to get nice and hot. Once the stones are ready, rake your coals and layer on all of your clambake ingredients. Bundle clams, corn and more in cheesecloth, mesh baskets or foil packets and place on top of the rocks. This is traditionally covered up with seaweed to keep some of that heat in. When everything is done—this can take about two hours—serve it all up with toasted bread, butter and plenty of iced tea.
Make These Recipes for Your Clambake
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Dad's Famous Stuffies
The third of July is almost as important as the Fourth in my family. We make these stuffed clams on the third every year, and it's an event in and of itself! —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island
Don't miss the ultimate guide for hosting a clambake anywhere!
Buttery Horseradish Corn on the Cob
For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California
Grilled Clam Bake
With clams and crab legs, this grilled entree looks impressive but is quite easy to prepare on the grill. The addition of corn and potatoes makes it a meal in one.—Lisa Reuter, Hilliard, Ohio
Summer Macaroni Salad
When we grill, my mother asks me to make this summer pasta salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
Cherry Pudding Cake
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Oysters Rockefeller
My husband and I are oyster farmers, and this classic dish always delights our guests. It's deliciously simple! —Beth Walton, Eastham, Massachusetts
Zesty Marinated Shrimp
These easy shrimp look impressive on a buffet table and taste even better! The zesty sauce has a wonderful spicy citrus flavor. I especially like this recipe because I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Jane Guest, Alamosa, Colorado
Macaroon-Topped Rhubarb Cobbler
Crumbled macaroons are a surprising addition to this cobbler’s topping. We love that you can make the sweet treat in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lobster Rolls
Mayonnaise infused with dill and lemon lend refreshing flavor to our Test Kitchen's super sandwiches. Try toasting the buns for something special. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garden Tomato Salad
For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Dill Bloody Marys
With a nice level of pepper, and just enough dill from the pickle, these Bloody Marys are sure to please. To make Contrary Marys simply leave out the vodka. —Jay Ferkovich, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Herbed Potato Salad
Calcium-rich cheese, and potatoes and peppers packed with vitamin C make this picnic-and-potluck favorite something to smile about! —Judy Grebetz, Racine, Wisconsin
Lemony Shrimp & Tomatoes
I created this recipe for my family because they love grilled shrimp. I love it because it's quick, delicious and good for us. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Broccoli Slaw
Here's my favorite twist on broccoli salad. It's so easy to make and has an irresistible tangy crunch. —Konny Thomas, Citrus Heights, California
Crab Boil
With sausage, seafood, corn and potatoes, this crab boil can feed a crowd for a picnic, tailgate or other outdoor celebration. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Avocado Crab Boats
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Down East Blueberry Buckle
This buckle won a contest at my daughter’s college. They shipped us four lobsters, but the real prize was seeing the smile on our daughter's face. —Dianne van der Veen, Plymouth, Massachusetts
New England Iced Tea
While growing up in Massachusetts, my family spent summers at our cottage. These cocktails for the adults were a regional variation on Long Island iced tea, and they always showed up at clambakes on the beach. —Ann Liebergen, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad
I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
Steamed Mussels with Peppers
Use the French bread to soak up the deliciously seasoned broth. If you like food zippy, add the jalapeno seeds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Traditional New England Clam Chowder
I left a cruise ship with a great souvenir...the recipe for this splendid chowder! It's a traditional soup that stands the test of time. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Tangy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad
For a fruit salad that’s delightful, we combine berries and citrus with a honey-lime dressing flecked with poppy seeds. —Carrie Howell, Lehi, Utah
Lauren's Bouillabaisse
This golden-colored soup is brimming with an assortment of seafood and is topped with savory and colorful sourdough croutons.— Lauren Covas, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Creamy Coleslaw
For me, this is the best coleslaw recipe because a package of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts down on prep time. This creamy coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois
Crab Cakes with Chesapeake Bay Mayo
I placed my personal stamp on my Aunt Ellie's crab cake recipe by changing up some of her ingredients. They're served with a tart and tangy creamy sauce. You can serve them on an appetizer spread or as a terrific first-course at a formal dinner.—Michelle Critchell, Moon, Virginia
Blackberry Beer Cocktail
This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Sweet & Sour Squash Salad
This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas
Clams Casino
Your guests will be impressed with our home economists' version of a classic upscale appetizer. Cayenne pepper nicely seasons the bread crumb topping.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Scored Potatoes
These well-seasoned baked potatoes are a fun alternative to plain baked potatoes. It's easy to help yourself to just the amount you want, too, since the potato halves are scored into sections. — Barbara Wheeler, Sparks Glencoe, Maryland
Chesapeake Crab Dip
Many of the Maryland Green School students work to improve the health of our local treasure, the Chesapeake Bay. Crab stars in this creamy dip that highlights the importance of their efforts. —Carol Brzezinski, Marriottsville, Maryland
Green Bean and Potato Salad
For family reunions, my mom would make everybody's favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I'm the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas
Potato Clam Chowder
I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Crumb-Topped Clams
In my family, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without baked clams. They're easy to make and always a hit. —Annmarie Lucente, Monroe, New York
Apple Cornbread Crisp
With its hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a smart dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
How to Host a Clambake Anywhere—Not Just Seaside
You don’t need to be summering on the cape to enjoy a clambake. Seafood lovers coast to coast can enjoy this summer tradition—no digging required.
To enjoy a clambake wherever you call home, you can skip digging in the sand and instead fire up the grill. Using all the classic clambake flavors plus a few disposable roasting pans, you can create a clambake easily with this recipe. All you have to do is layer the clams, onion, potatoes and corn along with all your favorite seasonings (we recommend a little Old Bay) and grill. In about 45 minutes, you’ll have a New England-style clambake ready. Just be sure to serve it up alongside your favorite summer sides and maybe even a signature beverage.
With all the butter, lobster shells and corn cobs, clambakes can be wonderfully messy affairs. Stock up on some disposable lobster or crab bibs for laughs (and to protect your summer party attire).
Check Out Our Clambake Party Planning Tips
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Host a clambake to celebrate summer
Summer is the time for seafood! Turn your get together around a bounty from the ocean into a memorable event with these easy tips. Don't miss the ultimate guide to hosting your own clambake this summer. Can't get enough seafood? Here are 50 of our most irresistible recipes.
Send a real, paper invitation
Mail from friends is so rare! Get your guests excited by sending a nautical-themed invitation. They're easy to find on Etsy, like this one here, or Amazon. With invites so cute, you'll be pinned to your guests' refrigerators all summer!
Sweeten up the tea
Nothing says clambake like ice-cold lemonade and sweet tea. Let your guests customize their beverages with these fun sweet tea add-ons.
Try clams, crab and crawfish
If you live on the East Coast, you'll definitely want clams at your clambake (obviously!), but you can add other seafood, too! Those in the South might want to add crawfish. Just check out this simple low country boil recipe. Otherwise, try a nice crab boil!
Have less mess with lobster rolls
For a party with cleaner hands and less mess try a lobster roll bar. Start with our favorite basic recipe and give your guests toppings and sauces to customize their roll.
A little kitsch goes a long way
Who can dig into any kind of butter-slathered seafood without thinking of the classic plastic bibs handed out old-school steak and lobster joints? Luckily you don't need to be a restaurant owner to snag this fun party accessory. Order some here and your guests will be giggling with delight as they tie one on for the meal.
Add pops of citrus
Any seafood soirée needs plenty of citrus both for adding brightness to a seafood bounty and for hands that smell lemon fresh.
No sticky fingers
Sticky fingers are not pleasant! Don't leave guests to wipe their hands on the tablecloth or worse, their pants! Make sure to have lots of napkins and wet wipes available. To make clean up a little more fun, you can order custom pictures or words on the wipe envelope by planning a few weeks ahead.
Round out the feast
Seafood is the star of this show but don't forget to make it a meal by adding sides. It's best to have items that guests can eat with their hands or while standing. Try hush puppies, corn on the cob, or one of these make-ahead finger foods.
Create a custom cocktail
Surprise guests with a signature big-batch cocktail instead of the tired ice chest full of beer! This batch-made party drink saves you from having to play bartender all day while giving your guests something unique! Be sure to include a tasty mocktail for younger guests and designated drivers. Adding lemon or mint will make an excellent drink to pair with sweet, rich seafood.
Keep dessert light and fresh
After an afternoon of filling up on salty seafood, a heavy dessert is not always the most appetizing proposition. Prepare something refreshing and unbaked for your group to end the day on a lighter note. We have more than 25 suggestions of no-bake dessert that will make enough to feed a crowd!
Plan your party favors
Give to-go boxes a memorable twist with personalized stickers or tags to match your nautical theme. Attach them to paper bags, to-go containers and more. You can find customizable options on Etsy (like this one) or on sites like Amazon or Zazzle. [skyword_tracking]How to Shop for the Best Seafood
With the right clambake recipes and the best seafood, folks will be talking about your party all summer long. Learn how to find the freshest seafood for your shindig.
- Shopping for clams: If you live near the coast, opt for fresh, live clams at a local fishmonger or reputable grocer. Their shells should be tightly closed. If not, give the shell a tap. Clams that close up after a tap are still good—ones that remain open should be discarded. If live clams aren’t available near you, you can opt for frozen. Chat with your grocer about the brands they prefer.
- Shopping for crab legs: Consider yourself a seafood expert? Feel free to cook fresh, live crabs humanely. Otherwise, you can purchase fresh or frozen crab legs. Be sure the meat inside looks pure white (avoid any with a gray hue).
- Shopping for lobster: You can find live lobsters at many supermarkets and fishmongers. Ask an expert there about which lobsters look best. You can also opt for frozen lobster tails as we did in this recipe. Like crab, look for pure white meat inside and if you see any ice crystals inside—skip it.
- Shopping for fish: Fish of any kind can be a welcome addition to a clambake. Avoid fish that has an unpleasantly fishy smell. Instead look for firm flesh, clear eyes and healthy looking gills. You can consult our complete checklist for fish shopping, too.
The Tools You Need to Prep and Cook Seafood
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Wooden Seafood Mallet
This is an absolute dream if you're preparing to eat something with a hard shell, like crab or lobster. (And it's the perfect tool for hosting a clambake this summer.) This wooden seafood mallet ($8) doesn't require too much force to crack the surface, which is perfect, because we don't like to get too messy when eating crab. (Actually, who are we kidding? That's half the fun!) Purchase here.
Crab Crackers
If you're prepping crab or lobster, you'll be nearly brought-to-tears grateful for this set of crab crackers ($20). The stainless steel set comes with two built-in crackers—a small set and a large set, meaning you'll be well-equipped for crabs of any size. Plus, it comes with seafood picks, which allow you access to those hard-to-reach meat pockets. Purchase here. Learn how to make crab legs four different ways.
Clam Bake Bags
Summer is the perfect time to throw a clam bake—whose face doesn't light up when they hear they've been invited to one? These clam bake bags ($13) are easy to tie and toss in the pot. Just add your favorite shellfish, summer vegetables and meat, then get to bakin'! Purchase here.
Seafood Bibs
This is another must-have. Even if you're not throwing a seafood party, it's a pantry essential if you're planning on having hard-shelled crustaceans anytime soon. Use the seafood bibs ($10) to keep your shirt dry while you crack and dip the shellfish of your choice. Keep napkins handy, though—the bib won't protect your face. Purchase here.
Oyster Set
Love 'em or hate 'em, we can all agree that eating oysters is a lot easier when you have the right tools. This 9-piece oyster set from Kohl's ($28) comes with an oyster knife—which is essential for prying open this mollusk—a lemon press and five stainless steel picks. Purchase here. See what surprising facts about oysters you probably didn't know.
Butter Warmer
You don't need much to make fresh seafood taste better than it already does. But melted butter is something we'll never turn down, especially when we're eating warm lobster and cooked shrimp. This butter warmer set ($10) is great for keeping the butter melted throughout the meal—we love not having to run to the microwave halfway through to re-melt butter. Purchase here.
Ceramic Grill Lid
Love the taste of grilled shrimp? We do too—which is why we're into this grill lid from Sur La Table ($40). The ceramic lid stays hot and prevents delicate seafood from falling through the cracks. It's great for skewered seafood—like swordfish and shrimp—or shellfish classics, like lobster tail and soft-shelled crabs. Purchase here.
Lemon Press
Seafood and freshly squeezed lemon are a match made in crustacean heaven! Eating shellfish is an inherently messy endeavor, but that doesn't mean we have to be equally messy with the lemons. We love this lemon press from Macy's ($29), which gives us the juice but leaves out the seeds. Hopefully, this keeps the lemon juice from getting into our eyes (not that it happens to me every single time I squeeze a lemon). Purchase here.
Seafood Fork Set
Even with our favorite set of crab crackers, you're going to have small pieces of meat nestled away in the far corners of your shellfish. A set of seafood forks ($33) allow you to dig into those hard to reach places and claim what's rightfully yours—that last piece of juicy lobster tail. Purchase here.
Paring Knife
A high-quality paring knife can work wonders in your kitchen. Our favorite use? Deveining shrimp. This moderately dreadful process becomes a breeze with a sharp Wusthof paring knife ($50). Simply grip the shrimp, find the dark vein, make a firm slice down the belly and use the tip to remove the intestine. Now throw it away and never think about it again. Purchase here. Learn how to clean, devein and prep your shrimp.
Graniteware Steamer
Steamed shellfish is so delicious and such a breeze to make with a large steamer ($110) like this one from Kohl's. Perfect for whole lobsters, clams, mussels, crabs and clam bake bags, this steamer will become a summer staple for when you prepare fresh seafood. Purchase here. Looking for something to do with all that steamed lobster meat? How about a classic—our favorite lobster rolls.
Seafood Scissors
For delicate outer shells—or days when you don't feel like making a big mess—opt for opening up that delicious lobster with a set of seafood scissors ($20). We love the easy gliding provided by this pair, which is lightweight even though it delivers a powerful punch. Purchase here. Check out how we use scissors in this easy lobster recipe. [skyword_tracking]With these recipes and a few tips, you’re well on your way to hosting a cool and casual clambake.
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Lisa Kaminski