If you love Indian food and seafood, then you will love this Goan clam curry! It’s made with fresh clams, flavorful spices, and just the right amount of creamy coconut milk. It’s so good and easy to make!
Tender, briny, and slightly chewy clams coated in flavorful Indian spices – what’s not to love?!
This clam curry will make any meal feel extra special – mainly because clams aren’t an everyday protein. It’s a recipe that’ll impress without all the work – my favorite kind of recipe! And like all seafood, it’s quick to cook! Cleaning the clams is the only thing that takes a while, and even most of that time is downtime (soaking ’em).
Aren’t clams so pretty? I mean… talk about a curb appeal meal. Oh? No one says that? Well, we’re in the middle of home renovations, so I’ve clearly got construction and food on my mind. You get what I’m saying. And if not – translation: this dish looks goooooood (emphasis on the ooooo).
Don’t forget to add a little sprinkle of minced cilantro on top… you know, to boost that curb appeal. Yes, that is officially a thing I say now to describe food. And doors. And porches.
How to clean clams
Most seafood lovers are comfortable cooking fish at home, but I think people get intimidated when it comes to mussels or clams. I know I did at first, but they are just as easy to cook with!
This clam recipe doesn’t call for shucking clams (I’ll be honest, the idea of having to do that intimidates me). All you have to do to make this clam curry is soak the clams in cold water for 20-30 minutes. Remember to add a big pinch of salt to the cold water. Soaking the clams helps them get rid of any sand that might be inside the shell. And no one wants to eat a sandy curry. Once the clams are done soaking, lift them out individually, and rinse them under cold water.
Serve this clam curry with a piece of warm toasty bread like naan or with some aromatic steamed basmati rice!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 2 large shallots or 4 small ones finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1- inch knob ginger minced
Spices
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or Indian red chili/cayenne if you like it spicy!
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup coconut milk canned and full-fat
- 2 pounds small clams littlenecks, cleaned
- 1 lime wedge plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- To clean clams, soak in cold water for 20 minutes with a big pinch of salt. Lift each clam out of the bowl, and individually rinse with water.
- Melt ghee in a dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, then add shallots, garlic and ginger and sauté for 6-7 minutes.
- Add the spices and stir, then add the coconut milk and bring to a gentle boil. Add clams, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until clams are opened, 6 to 8 minutes (discard any unopened clams).
- Serve clams in bowls with cooking liquid and squeeze lime wedge overtop. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
Radha says
Have made this multiple times and it’s absolutely delicious. So quick and easy to make.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Radha, that’s so great to hear 🙂
Kay says
I’m allergic to coconut, any chance there’s an alternative to coconut milk that can be used for this recipe?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Kay! I haven’t tried this with another type of milk but if I were going to I would use fresh cashew milk! Cashews are popular in other Indian dishes so I bet fresh cashew milk would work well in this one too. I say fresh because it’ll have a nuttier flavor than what you’ll find it stores.
Kat says
Can I substitute mussels for clams? Looks delicoisb
My Heart Beets says
I’m sure that’d be just fine 🙂 I also have a tasty mango mussels recipe if you want to try that too!
Mimi says
Holy cow, Ashley, this looks amazing! I cannot wait to try it.
My Heart Beets says
lol thanks Mimi!! I hope you love it!