Picture this, the decade is the 50’s in New York, a Sheath dress, topped with a cropped bolero jacket was the fashion among younger women, TV’s had dials, not remotes, radio shows were popular, and many fans tuned into the New York’s, Kraft Music Hall show, where on one fateful night the show would air a recipe for “Clam Dip” within 24 hours that recipe would cause stores everywhere in listening distance to sellout of tins of clams. Can you believe it?
This simple recipe for Clam Dip was once a popular dip served with either salty Ruffle chips or veggies at some of the swankiest parties you can think of from the ’50s, up till it managed to die off sometime during the ’70s. The original Clam Dip recipe from the Kraft Music Hall show was made with simple ingredients such as minced canned clams, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. 
Today, I decided to bring a little Sexy back, have a little fun, and enjoy a recipe that was so popular at one time they actually made mass quantities of manufactured Clam Dip to sell at local markets around the country. I don’t know about you but when a recipe becomes a hit that big with people for 20 years, I need to try it out with the family and friends immediately to see what all the fuss was over back in the day.
I have to be honest, I’ve never purchased a tin of clams in my life before the other day, we always make freshly steamed claims when recipes call for claims, however, I felt the need to replicate the recipe as much as possible to form an honest opinion on this retro recipe. So down the Tuna fish and tinned meat aisle, I headed in my local market. There were only two brands to choose from so I crossed my fingers as I made my decision picking up two tins of clams, humming Justin Timberlake’s song “Sexy Back”
Organic Veggies of all types were going to be drowned in this Retro Clam Dip, so of course, I picked up organic rainbow carrots, grape tomatoes, spring onions, radishes, celery, and so forth. Heck for shits and giggles, I even bought some kettle chips to dip in this Retro concoction. I know, I know Ruffles were what they used back in the day, please forgive me for my Kettle Chip fetish, I can’t help myself.
After picking up my shopping list I headed home to whip up a batch of this Clam Dip, I won’t lie I made a few changes, just small ones to add a bit more Southern character and flavor to the Clam Dip I was surprising my significant other and a few close friends with tonight. You will find that the additions will be marked optional in the recipe card below in case you’d rather not add additional ingredients.
This simple recipe for Clam Dip was once a popular dip served with either salty Ruffle chips or veggies at some of the swankiest parties you can think of from the 50’s up till it managed to die off sometime during the ’70s.
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1-8- ounce Can minced clams, drained, 1/4 of clam juice reserved
- 1-8- ounce Cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup Finely chopped parsley optional
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 dash Hot sauce optional
- ½ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning optional
- Freshly ground black pepper
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Combine diced clams, softened cream cheese, chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, dash of hot sauce, Cajun Seasoning, and pepper to taste, stirring until well blended. Add the reserved clam juice to reach desired consistency.
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place in a plastic lidded container; refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Fresh steam claims may be added to replace the tinned clams.
The Parsley may be omitted as it was not used in the original recipe
The Cajun seasoning may be replaced with salt if desired.
Adapted from Kraft Music Hall Show Clam Dip Recipe
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© Heidy L. McCallum and The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch, 2019-2013 unauthorized use and/or duplication of content/ material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heidy L. McCallum and The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch with proper and specific direction to the original content.
You brought a WHOLE LOTTA Sexy back with this classic! Wow – it sounds delicious – perfect with chips for sure!
Ha Ha, that song was stuck in my head all day lol!!!
I love recipes from the 50’s and earlier ! Lol… unbelievable that the stores sold out their clams within 24 hours ! Will try your recipe soon 🙂
Morning, Linda, you have to love vintage and retro recipes…just good fun! Thanks for being here.
I’ve never tried clam dip before but I definitely feel like I should – yours looks incredible!
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it. Have a wonderful day and thank you for coming by the blog.
Oh my goodness! Clam dip is still a holiday staple in our family. It comes out at all of our big extended family gatherings. Yours looks great!
Hey there, Carlee, definitely will out at our house on the holidays too after making it. Thanks for dropping by.
Yum, nothing quite like sinking some fresh veggies into some dip! Such a fun classic recipe!
Good Morning, thanks for stopping by with sweet comments.
Clam Dip was a staple at every party and family gathering we ever had growing up in the 60s. Since there was no internet to contradict, we grew up thinking it was a “Family” recipe!
My dad was the master of this recipe.
Thank you for sharing this!
Good morning, So glad you enjoyed the clam dip. I think we all grew up thinking the same.