I’ve never met a dip I didn’t like, but more than a French onion or spinach and artichoke, there’s one that speaks directly to my New England-loving heart — a classic New England Clam Dip.
Our favorite, easy New England Clam Dip recipe. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
“Dips” as we think of them today (meaning vehicles for potato or corn chips at parties) didn’t become popular until the 1950s and 60s, shortly after the chips themselves became mass-produced and mainstream. Clam dip, made with chopped canned clams and either sour cream or cream cheese (or both!) was just one of many to emerge.
We call this an easy New England clam dip recipe because it calls for just six ingredients — clams, sour cream, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and lemon juice. Made according to the recipe instructions, the dip will be more thick than thin, with a noticeable sour cream tang and hint of lemon.
Clam Dip essentials include minced clams, sour cream, cream cheese, and a shake of Worcestershire sauce. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
If you prefer, you can increase the amount of cream cheese for a thicker clam dip (one standard package will give you more than enough), and adjust the lemon to suit your taste. I also sometimes skip grating the onion (the only way I know how to get “onion juice”) in favor of just mincing the same amount of onion as fine as I can get it.
After mixing everything together to your liking, just be sure to chill the dip for several hours — preferably overnight. This is one of those cases where the overall flavor benefits from a nice, long nap in the fridge.
Cool, creamy, clam dip — a New England classic! Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
When the party starts, you can accompany this classic clam dip with crackers, corn chips, or fresh veggies, but I can’t imagine serving it with anything other than a big bowl of ridged potato chips (Lay’s Ruffles if you want me to be specific). The salty potato chip and clam dip, like Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter, are a match made in New England party food heaven.
Are you a fan of New England clam dip?
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
Aimee Tucker is Yankee Magazine’s Senior Digital Editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
I’m a huge fan of New England clam dip. My favorite, growing up in Connecticut, was store bought clam dip. I live in Florida now, and it’s nowhere to be found. I’ll be making my own very soon.. ?
I have made this dip for years. But my daughter had bought some store brand cream cheese and sour cream; DON’T! It ruined the dip, be sure to use Philadelphia cream cheese and Daisy sour cream. Ugh, won’t do that again!
I’m a huge fan of New England clam dip. My favorite, growing up in Connecticut, was store bought clam dip. I live in Florida now, and it’s nowhere to be found. I’ll be making my own very soon.. ?
I have made this dip for years. But my daughter had bought some store brand cream cheese and sour cream; DON’T! It ruined the dip, be sure to use Philadelphia cream cheese and Daisy sour cream. Ugh, won’t do that again!