Last Updated on June 25, 2025
This creamy clam dip recipe is a family favorite! Made with 5 simple ingredients, it’s the perfect party dip for game day, tailgates, and get-togethers.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, game-day party, or casual get-together, this easy clam dip pairs perfectly with rippled potato chips for the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
This is the appetizer our family always has when we get together. Clam dip is easy to make and quite tasty with rippled chips. Or any kind of potato chips for that matter, but wrinkled chips hold up best to the slightly thick dip.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick and easy: It is ready in minutes with basic pantry ingredients.
Family tradition: This is a tried-and-true recipe passed down through my family and improved along the way.
Perfect for parties: Ideal for family gatherings, tailgates, and potlucks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 16 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 4 cans of minced clams, drained (reserve some clam juice)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Grated onion
- Salt
Full measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.
Making the Clam Dip Recipe
The recipe has evolved somewhat over the years. Cans of minced clams seemed to contain more clams, way back when, than they do now. Today, we put in two cans of clams per 8 ounces of cream cheese, and it used to be just one.
The easiest way to make the dip is to use a hand mixer, but I have even used a stand mixer in a pinch. It’s also important to have the cream cheese at room temperature when you start.
Reserve some of the clam juice so you can thin the dip. Don’t overdo it, though. Sometimes just 1 or 2 teaspoons is enough. If it gets too runny, it will not stick to your chips very well. You want it to be similar to guacamole.
Once it is mixed up, taste and add more Worcestershire sauce or salt if desired. It should taste of clams, grated onion, a bit of saltiness, and some Worcestershire.
You can serve the clam dip right away or refrigerate it for 1 or 2 hours, and the flavors will blend nicely.
Tips for Making Perfect Clam Dip
- Use quality, canned clams and buy “minced” for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t skip softening the cream cheese — it ensures a smooth dip.
- Add reserved clam juice carefully. Too much will make the dip runny.
- Serve with sturdy, rippled potato chips or fresh-cut veggies.
This recipe has been a staple in our family for over 40 years, handed down by my dad. This clam dip delivers the same nostalgic taste I’ve grown up with, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as our family.
The Best Ever Clam Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz. cream cheese, Philadelphia Original, at room temperature
- 4 6.5 oz. cans minced or chopped clams, (like Bumble Bee brand) , drained and the liquid reserved
- 1 small white onion , grated, 2 or 3 tbsp
- 3 shakes Worcestershire sauce , approx. 1 tsp or to taste
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Place cream cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, drained minced clams, and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer.
- Add 2 teaspoons of reserved clam juice and mix it in. Add more juice in small amounts until the dip has the consistency of guacamole.
- Serve right away or chilled for 1 or 2 hours with potato chips
Notes
- Reduced fat cream cheese is not recommended. It makes a thin tasting dip.
- Consistency: When adding the reserved clam juice to thin, go slowly as it is easy to make the dip too runny.
- Calories are based on 2 tablespoons of the clam dip without chips.
Nutrition
Terri
Love love love this!!!
Josie and Katy
Thanks for posting this recipe, Dad! We’re making it right now for snacks during the Super Bowl at Amy and Karen’s house!
don keelin
This is the best clam dip in the world. You can’t just taste it, you will finish it all and look for more. Thank you Joe and Maryjo for this recipe.
MaryJo
This is required to be served at all Boyle Family functions, large or small. =0)