This is the best Instant Pot clams recipe ever.
Have a great dinner in only 10 minutes total using simple ingredients 🙂
Clams are usually something you eat at your favorite restaurant or on holiday at a seaside resort, but you can also easily cook them at home, especially with the help of your Instant Pot.
Try them with a delicate dressing made with white wine and lemon juice to enjoy a gourmet dinner at home anytime you want!
Serve as an appetizer or over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
This recipe can serve 8 people (or 4 hungry ones).
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
Steamed clams in an Instant Pot are an excellent choice because they cook quickly, ensuring tender and juicy clams. The pressure cooker traps the steam and flavors, enhancing the taste of the clams. Plus, it's a one-pot meal, making cleanup a breeze.
The combination of butter, garlic, white wine, and lemon juice creates a rich and zesty sauce that complements the natural sweetness of the clams. This recipe is great for both seafood lovers and those trying clams for the first time, as the flavors are both familiar and delightful.
Ingredients
Melted butter - Provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce; substitute with olive oil for a healthier option.
Garlic cloves - Adds a fragrant and savory touch to the dish; use more or less depending on your preference.
White wine - Enhances the flavor and deglazes the pot; substitute with chicken or vegetable broth if needed.
Clams - The star of the dish, ensure they are fresh and properly cleaned before cooking.
Lemon juice - Gives the sauce a tangy kick; can be substituted with lime juice for a slightly different taste.
Tips
- Ensure clams are properly cleaned to remove any grit or sand.
- Discard any clams that do not open after cooking, as they may not be safe to eat.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and lemon juice to suit your taste preferences.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it after cooking.
- Serve the clams immediately after cooking for the best flavor and texture.
Can I half the recipe?
Sure. You can make 1 lb of clams instead. Use ¼ cup of butter, ¼ cup of lemon juice and ½ cup of wine.
Same cooking time.
How to Serve
Serve your Instant Pot Steamed Clams in a large bowl, spooning the delicious sauce over them. Make sure to have some crusty bread on hand to soak up the flavorful liquid.
Serve as an appetizer: Offer small bowls of clams with sauce and bread for dipping.
Make it a main dish: Pair the clams with a side of pasta or rice, drizzling the sauce over the top.
Create a seafood feast: Combine the steamed clams with other seafood dishes like shrimp scampi or grilled fish for a mouthwatering seafood platter.
Instant Pot Seafood Recipes
More ideas? check out the Instant Pot seafood recipes page.
Instant Pot Steamed Clams
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup white wine melted
- 2 lb clams
- ½ cup lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Press "saute" and add butter.
- Add garlic and saute for 1 minute until brown.
- Add white wine and saute for another 2 minutes.
- Add clams, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir.
- Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 3 minutes.
- When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
- Serve and enjoy 🙂
I also put pasta in the instant pot
And has fresh clams with it
Delicious
Best clams I’ve eaten!!!! Seriously, thank you for sharing this recipe!!!!
Absolutely delicious. Just as if we’re made the Italian way like my SIL does. Broth can be used to dip bread in or anything else you’d prefer. 2nd x using this method. Thks
Thank you! Yes I love to save the broth too, perfect for dipping bread.
Delicious! Ate the whole thing!
Broth great for French hot baguette!
Yay! Perfect with a baguette, yum!