3 Quick and Delicious Ways to Steam Clams in Just 5 Minutes

Steamed clams are a very familiar and beloved dish for every Vietnamese, especially those living in coastal areas. Clams are known as a gentle seafood, containing many beneficial nutrients for health. Have you mastered the art of steaming clams to perfection and what ingredients are needed to prepare steamed clams? Check out this article.

3 Simple Ways to Steam Delicious Clams

Steamed clams are a dish that is very easy to prepare, with many ways to create delicious steamed clams. On cold winter days, enjoying hot and fragrant steamed clams is an irresistible suggestion. This article will share with you how to steam clams to perfection, making them delicious and irresistible at first sight.

1. Lemongrass-Infused Steamed Clams

Lemongrass-infused steamed clams is an incredibly easy dish to prepare at home, with readily available ingredients and just 5 minutes needed to create delicious, fragrant steamed clams without worrying about hygiene or food safety issues, ensuring the same authentic taste as in restaurants.

Ingredients for Lemongrass-Infused Steamed Clams for 3 people

- 500g live clams

- Lemongrass: 4 stalks

- Fresh chili: 4 fruits

- Salt: 3 tablespoons

- Sugar: 2 tablespoons

- 200ml Filtered water

Ingredients for delicious lemongrass-steamed clams

How to make delicious lemongrass-steamed clams

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients for steaming clams

- After purchasing clams, wash them thoroughly and soak them in water for 2 hours along with 2 finely chopped chili peppers to help remove sand and impurities

- Clean the lemongrass, removing the tough outer layers, then wash and cut it into pieces. Line the bottom of a pot with the lemongrass. Wash and finely chop the remaining 2 chili peppers

Preparing ingredients for lemongrass-steamed clams

Step 2: Steam the clams with lemongrass

- After soaking, pour out the clams, rinse them thoroughly, then put them in a pot to boil with 1 tablespoon of chili, 1 tablespoon of salt, and add 500ml of water to the pot.

- Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Once the clams in the pot have all opened, use chopsticks to stir evenly, then turn off the heat.

Steamed clams with lemongrass

Finished product: delicious lemongrass-steamed clams

Steamed clams with lemongrass are perfect when served with sweet and spicy fish sauce. Steamed clams with lemongrass have the spicy taste of chili combined with the fragrant aroma of lemongrass and the distinctive sweetness of clam meat, offering your family a very enticing and mouthwatering meal.

Delicious steamed clam dish

2. Spicy and delicious Thai-style steamed clams

Thai-style steamed clams are a dish with a spicy taste of chili, the sweet and sour flavor of tamarind sauce, the aroma of coriander, and the intense fragrance of lemongrass, representing the essence of Thai cuisine. You must try making Thai-style steamed clams for your family at least once. The method of making Thai-style steamed clams is not too difficult, just follow the recipe shared below to succeed right from the first experience.

Ingredients for making Thai-style steamed clams for 4 people

- 1kg live clams

- 3 fresh chili peppers

- 1 clove of garlic

- 2 stalks of lemongrass

- 7 ripe tamarinds

- 1 bunch of cilantro

- Seasonings: Sugar, chili paste, cooking oil, salt, MSG, bouillon powder

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Thai-style Steamed Clams

How to Steam Delicious Thai-Style Clams

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

- When buying, clean the live clams thoroughly, then soak them in diluted saltwater with 5 chopped chili peppers for 1 hour. You can use rice washing water instead of filtered water to help clams release sand and dirt. Then rinse the clams again with water and drain. Be careful not to soak the clams for too long as it may cause them to die.

- Wash and pound the lemongrass roots, then finely chop them. Cut the lemongrass stems into sections and set aside.

- Rinse the cilantro thoroughly and let it drain. Peel and finely mince the garlic.

- Peel the tamarind, then soak it in a separate bowl with warm water for 10 - 15 minutes to soften. Mash the softened tamarind with a spoon, then strain to extract the tamarind juice and discard the pulp.

Preparing Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Thai-style Steamed Clams

Step 2: Prepare the sweet and sour sauce

- Mix the sauce ingredients according to the following recipe: 2 tablespoons of bouillon, 1/2 tablespoon of MSG, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of chili sauce. Then add the strained tamarind water and stir well to dissolve the spices.

Making the Sweet and Sour Sauce

Step 3: Steam the sliced clams

- Place the pot on the stove, add a little cooking oil, chopped lemongrass, minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Then add the prepared tamarind sauce from step 3, along with sliced lemongrass. Bring this mixture to a boil and add the cleaned clams, stirring well. Cover and simmer for about 5 - 10 minutes until the clams open up completely, then stir gently to allow the clams to absorb the tamarind sauce.

- Next, add a pinch of bouillon, sugar, and finely chopped chili to the pot. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

- Cover and simmer for an additional 2 - 5 minutes to ensure the clams are evenly cooked. Then turn off the heat and remove the clams from the pot.

Steamed Clams with Thai Sauce

Delicious Sweet and Sour Steamed Clams

Once the Thai-style steamed clams are ready, transfer them to a plate or a large bowl. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top and drizzle the remaining tamarind sauce from the pot. You can also add some crushed roasted peanuts for extra aroma and flavor. Enjoy the dish while the steamed clams are still hot.

Delightful Sweet and Sour Steamed Clams

Thai-style steamed clams have a natural sweetness, complemented by the sweet and sour tamarind sauce, with a hint of spiciness from the chili and the fragrant aroma of lemongrass. They are perfect for enjoying on cold winter days, paired with a glass of wine.

3. Steamed Clams in Coconut Sauce

Steamed clams in coconut sauce offer a novel and delicious flavor profile. The blend of fragrant lemongrass, sweet coconut, and creamy milk enhances the dish, making it more flavorful and satisfying. This dish is also incredibly easy to prepare, taking just 5 minutes.

Ingredients for Steamed Clams in Coconut Sauce (serving 4)

- 1kg fresh clams

- 1 coconut

- 5 stalks of lemongrass

- 1 pack of fresh milk

Ingredients for Steamed Clams in Coconut Sauce

Steamed Clams in Lemongrass Coconut Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

- Clean the clams thoroughly and soak them in diluted saltwater with some finely chopped chili to remove sand and impurities.

- Wash the lemongrass stalks and cut them into pieces. Finely chop the chili.

- Extract fresh coconut water by chopping open a coconut and collecting the liquid in a bowl.

Prepare Ingredients for Steamed Clams in Lemongrass Coconut Sauce

Step 2: Steam the Clams with Lemongrass and Coconut Water

- Heat a large pan on the stove, then bring the clams, lemongrass, and coconut water to a boil.

- After 5 minutes of boiling, add half a packet of milk and continue boiling for 2 - 3 minutes until the clams are fully open. Season with some more seasoning powder and chopped chili to enhance the flavor. Stir well to ensure all the clams are fully open, then turn off the heat.

Steam Clams with Lemongrass, Coconut Water, and Fresh Milk

Finished Product: Steamed Clams in Lemongrass Coconut Milk Sauce

Irresistibly Delicious Lemongrass Coconut Milk Steamed Clams

Steamed clams with lemongrass and coconut water have a naturally sweet taste from the clams. After steaming until fully cooked, you can transfer the clams to a plate, a large bowl, or for a beautiful presentation, serve them in coconut shells. To enhance the flavor of the steamed clams with lemongrass and coconut water, you can serve them with sweet and tangy fish sauce and enjoy them while still hot.

Above are 3 delicious, fragrant, and sweet ways to steam clams in just 5 minutes right in the comfort of your beloved kitchen.
Wishing you all the success with these cooking methods.