Seafood | Pescatarian Gluten Free

Steamer Clams

Mercenaria mercenaria Allergens: Shellfish
Steamer Clams

Sourcing & Taxonomy

  • Family Veneridae
  • Primary Cuisine Coastal American
  • Seasonality Spring, Summer
  • Source Clams

The Forktionary Angle

""

Definition

Edible bivalve mollusks known for their tender texture and sweet, briny flavor, often steamed and served with broth.

Sensory Profile

TasteBriny, Sweet, Umami
TextureTender, Chewy
AromaOceanic, Mineral
AcidityLow

Technical Metrics

Nutrition Facts

Per 150g (1 serving)
Calories80 kcal
Total Fat1 g
Saturated Fat0.2 g
Trans Fat0 g
Cholesterol35 mg
Protein14 g
Total Carbohydrate4 g
Dietary Fiber0 g
Total Sugars0 g
Calcium100 mg
Iron15 mg
Potassium250 mg

Chef’s Secret

Purge steamer clams in cold, salted water (or plain cold water) for 30-60 minutes before cooking to remove sand and grit.

Substitutions

Best Match

Mussels

1:1

Similar preparation, sweet flavor, slightly different texture.

Cockles

1:1

Smaller, similar briny taste, good for pasta dishes.

Littleneck Clams

1:1

Firmer texture, can be steamed or used in pasta, similar flavor.

Scallops

1:1 (by weight)

Different texture, but sweet, delicate seafood flavor for similar dishes.

Buying Guide

Buy live clams with tightly closed shells. Discard any open clams that don't close when tapped. Store in the refrigerator in an open container covered with a damp cloth.

Flavor Pairings

Garlic Butter White Wine Herbs (Parsley Thyme) Crusty Bread Linguine Beer