One dish that speaks directly to my nostalgic heart and brings me right back to feeling the warmth of my grandmother’s presence is her famous clam dip. It sat proudly on any family gathering table and helped keep our rumbling bellies satisfied as we inhaled the scent of the roast in the oven cooking slowly. Grandma’s clam dip is a must have now in my home, especially for Thanksgiving. But in all honesty it is so well received any time of the year.
It is just a little different than the average classic dips that are brought to the party and you can make a batch and let it marinate in the fridge because it only gets more delectable with each hour it chills.
One thing you must have on hand is ruffle chips – yes ruffle only…don’t ask why- or fresh cut veggies to dip away, and make sure you have extra because you will be refilling the plate a couple of times. Trust me on this one.
There are a lot of variations of clam dip all over the web and over the years I don’t think I’ve ever done a batch that tastes exactly the same. I play with the ingredients a lot. Add a touch more this or a dash more that.
I sometimes will add a little more of something in after it has sat for a day and I do the inevitable taste test. So feel free to tweak this recipe a bit to satisfy your taste buds.
Grandma’s Clam Dip
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. block of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Half of a lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1, 6.5 oz can of minced clams – drained but reserve the juice for later
- 1 dash of hot sauce
Directions:
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until well combined.
- Add in squeezed lemon juice then minced clams.
- Once combined add in clam juice until you reach desired consistency.
- Cover and chill for a couple of hours before serving.
Here are some other amazing dips to give a try..
- Poolside dip – Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip by The Recipe Critic
- Mexican Street Corn Dip by The Foodie Dietician
- 3 Ingredient Everything Bagel Dip by Snug & Cozy Life
- Spinach Artichoke Dip by Mom on Timeout
Grandma's Clam Dip

A nostalgic dip straight from Grandma's kitchen. This hearty and savory dip will help those searching fingers stay satisfied as an appetizer before any meal!
Ingredients
- 8 oz. block of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Half of a lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1, 6.5 oz can of minced clams - drained but reserve the juice for later
- 1 dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until well combined.
- Add in squeezed lemon juice then minced clams.
- Once combined add in clam juice until you reach desired consistency.
- Cover and chill for a couple of hours before serving.
You typically don’t have to put a lot of work into preparing it and ingredients are simple.
If you put all those things together and whatever comes out of that bowl is a sought after and chatted about dish then you, my friend, have something worth passing down to generation after generation just like my family.
Get out grandma’s favorite mixing spoon, tie up your apron and whip up this classic dish today.
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Love, light and a little grace…
-Olivia

Olivia Whalen is mama to three young girls who is devoted to creative learning, exploration and free range imagination. Olivia enjoys thinking outside of the box when it comes to preparing homemade baby food or meals for her family. She most enjoys allowing the little minds in her life to flourish and with that you will see her write about creative kid crafts, recipes that fit a family budget and keep everyone asking for more, tips and tricks for a tiny babe, and beginner homesteader fun! Some of her hobbies include gardening, hiking, reading, cooking or just basking in motherhood.