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I almost didn’t tell you guys about these, but…

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

That BUTTAH…it’s just too good not share.

This is one of those recipes that’s barely a recipe. I mean, basically the recipe is for the butter. It’s literally clams and butter. Simple as that, but the clams?? They could not be better.

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Personally, I think the only way I can handle clams is one, if they are covered in cheese – like on a seafood pizza, two, served with pasta in a creamy and or buttery sauce, or three, just completely covered in butter.

I know, sounds so healthy right?? Right.

No but, see, I really only made clams for the first time last year and I really enjoyed them…in pasta, but I kind of needed something to drown out their fishiness, or maybe claminess is the right word. Does that make sense?? I grew up with a fish and seafood hating mom, so I always thought that fish and seafood were BAD. It wasn’t until I started cooking myself that I realized that fish is actually GOOD! But, I still have a little bit of a hard time with the fishy, fishy, fish and the slimier of the seafoods. I feel like some of you may understand this?? No?

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

The point here is, I need butter, and a lot of it, with my clams. Also, I would prefer to pair it with some delicious sweet corn for chomping on, and some nice crusty bread for dipping!

Yeah, sounds like the perfect cookout meal to me.

Ok and speaking of cookouts, Father’s Day is coming up. Ahhh, gift suggestions for a guy who doesn’t like gifts…or really even Father’s Day?

I know, what?! I have a hard one to shop for, I mean you guys, he’s not even into golf. What dad isn’t in golf?? Well, he used to play, a long long time ago, but seven kids kind of put the kibosh on that one.

Back in Ohio he used to play handball everyday after work, but living in the mountains, there are not many people who play, so that means I can’t even get him those special gloves, shoes or bouncy blue balls. He’s really just a simple guy. Basically he gets excited about planting me a garden, going to the gym to lift and fixing things. Yeahhh.

Dads are odd, am I right?? Each one is different, but it seems like every story I hear about dads and their daughters are quirky ones.

But really, what do I get him? Maybe a book on gardening? That just seems so lame…

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

The good news for me is that I shared some of these clams with him and he did say they where incredible. So maybe I’ll just remake them and call it a day? Yeah, these clams and these pops OR these bars (cause he loves them both so much).

I do always say that food is the very best gift you can give. Money buys a lot, but if you have a happy stomach, you are golden.

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

This recipe requires only eight ingredients (including the salt) and takes maybe 10 minutes to prep. You only need to use the grill – no inside cooking, yes!! This also means that dirty dishes are minimal, like so minimal… double yes!

If you do not have a grill, the clams can just as easily be cooked in a skillet or steamed, and the jalapeños for the butter can be charred under the broiler.

Oh, and before I go, I just have to say that the butter can not only be used for these clams, but can also be used for so many other dishes as well. Think corn, steak, any seafood, bread, veggies, almost anything, it’s SO GOOD!

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 807 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

  • 2-4 pounds littleneck clams rinsed + scrubbed
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, 8 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2-4 ounces blue cheese crumbled

Instructions

  • To make the Jalepeno Basil Butter, preheat the grill or grill pan to high heat.
  • Once the grill is hot, add the jalapeños and charr all over, about 2 minutes per side. Once charred, remove from the heat and place in a bowl to cool, cover with a dish towel. Once cool enough to handle slice the jalapeños in half, remove your desired amount of seeds and then finely dice.
  • To a bowl mix together the softened butter, jalapeños, honey, basil, zest of 1 lemon and a pinch of salt. Mix until combined and then fold in the blue cheese (if using). The butter can be store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Before serve, leave the butter on the counter to soften or lightly melt over the stove.
  • To make the clams, preheat the grill to high. Once hot, add the clams in a single layer, cover and cook until the clams open, about 5-10 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Toss the hot clams with the jalapeño butter and serve with more butter, toasted bread and corn. Enjoy warm!

Notes

*If you are making 4 pounds of clams, you might want to think about doubling the butter. You do not need to, but if you, or whoever you are serving, likes a lot of butter with their clams than doubling the butter recipe might be wise. **If you do not have a grill, the clams can just as easily be cooked in a skillet or steamed. The jalapeños for the butter can be charred under the broiler.
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Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

So tonight? This weekend?? Backyard BBQ? Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter – do it.

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Comments

  1. Really Nice for me.I hear you on days off, they go by too fast for me trying to cram in everything I need and want to do. This looks wonderful and the sauce sounds amazing, thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    Hello there i am on diet now a days will you please tell me should i eat it or not? because it is very delicious.

    1. Hi Mickey! I believe everything in moderation! I think you should enjoy what you like but also balance it with vegetables or foods filled with vitamins. I hope you do try these clams! Thank you!

  3. Ive never tried clams on the grill but after reading this im going to give it a try. I prefer to cook over charcoal – do these clams need to be directly over the heat or am I better off cooking using indirect heat with the lid on?

    1. Hi Will!

      I like to cook mine directly over the charcoal. The clams hold up well because they have their shells to protect them. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love the clams. Thanks!! 🙂

  4. Interesting post!! and enticing photos. I;ve never tasted mussels. Grandpa J. trapped them, brought them home, boiled them and ate them all by himself. Grandma wouldn’t get near a mussel and we followed her lead. Bad choice. These look good.

  5. Made this last night and it was really amazing! We added some sweet onion to butter sauce. Would highly recommend to anyone that loves seafood! Thank you for sharing!

  6. Yaaasss!! Score score score! Was just pondering over what to do with these gorgeous littlenecks I dug up and this is IT. I can pull everything else from the fridge or garden and no dishes to clean. HUGE BONUS! Thanks lady 🙂

  7. I’m SO glad that you decided to share these clams with us! I’m drooling over here. I love that you used the newspaper as part of the background, too.

  8. Bocce ball is a family fun yard game and a great gift idea.

    Your photos are always amazing and unique. I wish you had more confidence in your talents.

  9. whoah this weblog is great i like studying your articles.
    Stay up the good work! You already know, a lot of individuals are looking round for
    this info, you could help them greatly.

  10. I live in small town in Maine where we actually have an annual three day Clam Festival! At low tide, there are often clammers out digging in the flats, which is pretty much my backyard. What I’m saying is – I know clams. And these look fantastic! I’ve grilled them before (so easy), but next time I will be adding this butter, and lots of it. Thanks!