Baked Stuffed Clams Recipe (2024)

Growing up at the Jersey Shore one of my favorite appetizers was Baked Stuffed Clams. Somehow they got the name of Deviled Clams which helped their popularity at shore restaurants.

Seafood appetizers were always popular during my restaurant days at the Jersey Shore and my version of Baked Stuffed Clams was always a clear winner when it came to appetizers.

The biggest difference between baked stuffed clams and clams casino is the amount of bread crumbs that are used to make the stuffing. Other than that and a little added extra heat (optional) the ingredients are the same,

Ingredients to make Baked Stuffed Clams

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Baked Stuffed Clams. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

How to make Baked Stuffed Clams

The first step in making Baked Stuffed Clams is prepping the clams. That means thoroughly rinsing the clams in cold running water. This process usually takes about 5 minutes to make sure you’ve gotten as much of the residue off the clams as possible.

After cleaning the clams, you’re ready to steam them open. Over high heat In a medium to large pot add 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ cup water. Add the clams to the pot and cover, allowing the clams to cook for 6-10 minutes or until the shells have all opened.

Once the clams have steamed open, you can remove the clams from the pot to let them cool until you can comfortably handle them.

Remove the clam meat from the clams (not the clam foot which is attached to the shell) and chop into small pieces.

**Save the clam broth that you don’t need for this recipe for later use in soups or sauces.

Pick 12 of the best clam shells for stuffing. Break apart the clamshells from their hinges removing the foot from the shell. Rinse the shells in cold running water until clean. Set aside until needed.

How to make the stuffing for the clams

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bacon, onion and peppers; saute for 2 minutes then add the garlic and continue to saute for another minute.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the minced clams, bread crumbs, parsley, lemon juice, seasonings, and clam juice.

Stir until the stuffing mixture is completely moistened. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy. Add more clam juice if too dry or more bread crumbs if too wet.

Stuff the clam shells with the deviled clam mixture and place them on a baking sheet.

*You can freeze the deviled clams at this point on the baking sheet. Then store them in an airtight container until you want to bake them.

Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees F. Or until the tops start to brown.

Serve the baked stuffed clams with lemon wedges and enjoy!

More Recipes You’ll Love!

More Seafood Appetizers