Planning a clambake? We've got the sides covered.
A clambake is nothing without its trusty sidekicks. Our picks will make your spread unforgettable. Starting with a classic corn on the cob, charred to perfection, adding that smoky sweetness. Then, there's the potato salad - we swear by grandma's recipe, which could start world peace.
We always include a fresh, zesty coleslaw. It's like a crisp high-five to your taste palette.
Truth? The right sides elevate a good clambake to legendary. We'll prove it. Stick with us for the scoop on pairing your feast with the best dishes.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Clambake?
Clambake is a festive dish that people serve on various occasions.
So, while it's a delicacy on its own, it isn't practical to serve a lone dish.
You will have plenty of hungry guests. So, one dish won't be enough, no matter how tasty.
You need several side dishes to go along with clambake so that everyone has a sufficient amount of food during the event.
Else, you'll only have one dish, and the whole occasion can be ruined.
But not to worry because we have lined up the ten best sides you can cook and serve with a clambake.
What to Serve with Clambake? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Clambake is compatible with multiple items, and below we are listing the ten best sides which you can serve alongside the seafood.
1 - Asian Summer Slaw
Let's start the list with a fresh and palate-cleansing dish that's delicious and complements a clambake.
Asian summer slaw is a yummy salad like a typical slaw but with a unique dressing.
Unlike a traditional slaw, where you use vinaigrette or mayonnaise dressing, this variety of slaw uses a dressing that consists of Asian flavors.
A peanut or a zesty dressing with sesame and ginger are two popular varieties that go with Asian slaw.
Adding a little maple syrup provides a sweet and sour flavor which is popular in Asian cuisine.
2 - Tomato Bisque
Clambake and tomato soup? Yes, they pair up well together, and you can have a complete meal even with these two items.
The classic tomato soup becomes bisque when you add shellfish stock.
Since you're making clambake, you could use the shells from the seafood used in the dish to make the stock.
With the addition of heavy cream, you have a smoother, creamier, and richer version of tomato smooth ready to be served with the clambake.
If you feel that milk, cream, or butter will make the dish too heavy, you can add bone broth and add basil for a bright, fresh flavor.
3 - Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms, Spinach, and Caramelized onions
How about a pasta dish that not only complements clambake but tastes lovely as well? It will also add variety to the menu, and everyone can enjoy the meal.
Farfalle pasta with mushrooms, spinach, and caramelized onions is a dish you can also include seafood.
Hence, it will pair nicely with the clambake.
There are different kinds of pasta, but farfalle can hold the creamy sauce much better than pasta with other shapes.
So, it makes the dish more flavorful and appealing to the eyes.
4 - Garden Tomato Cucumber Salad
No doubt, it's a very simple but fresh and delicious dish.
You get a taste of crunchiness and freshness every time you eat a spoonful.
Tomato cucumber salad is easy to make, and both veggies are readily available.
It also makes a great combo with a clambake.
With just a few ingredients, you can create a lovely salad that everyone can enjoy with the seafood dish.
Make a large batch so that it's sufficient for everyone gathered there.
Tomato and cucumber are both nutritious, with the latter containing a good amount of water and soluble fiber.
Hence, you get not only taste but also goodness from the ingredients.
5 - Crack Carrots
Carrots are often overlooked, but they're delicious and versatile.
You can enjoy them raw as a snack or in salads, steamed, fried, roasted, or boiled, and each type of cooking will provide wonderful flavors.
Have you tried crack carrots? It's a roasted carrot dish that complements clambake perfectly.
So, we added it to the list.
It's pretty simple to make crack carrots, but it will bring great satisfaction when you notice your guests enjoying the food.
You need only a handful of ingredients to make crack carrots.
The primary item is, of course, baby carrots along with garlic powder, vegetable or canola oil, salt, pepper, fresh parsley, and ranch seasoning (dry).
6 - Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
Most vegetables taste good with other dishes, no matter how you cook them.
But there must be nothing like grilled veggie skewers.
The smoky, crunchy, sweet, and sour flavors and texture make you want to take one more bite.
Moreover, the slightly charred veggies combine nicely with a clambake.
Grilled veggie skewers are not only yummy but also simple to make because you can choose what to add.
Onions, zucchini, red, green, and yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant make a nice combo.
Coat with a fresh herb garlic sauce, and your veggies will char to perfection.
7 - Lemony Shrimp and Tomatoes
Shrimp and clambake? Yes, why not? Both are seafood but cooked in different ways, so they work together nicely.
Shrimp, like most seafood, cooks very fast, so you have to be precise about the timing.
Else, your dish will get ruined.
The shrimp and tomato combo provides you with tangy, juicy, crunchy, and sweet flavors and textures, which help to cleanse your palate as you enjoy the clambake and other items on the table.
Serve with a sauce made of yogurt, arugula, vinegar, milk, mustard, green onions, and salt combo.
8 - Cheesy Garlic Bread
How about some bread to go with clambake? It's simple, but the pairing is ideal.
Moreover, you can make plenty of bread depending on the number of guests.
Cheesy garlic bread is one of the easiest dishes to make, and it also complements a lot of other items.
That's why you will see it on many side-dish lists.
The crusty bread with the aroma of garlic butter sauce with cheese makes it a tasty addition to a clambake.
Though there are many types of bread, baguette, traditionally made in France is the usual choice for cheesy garlic bread.
It's popular so it's available in many places so you won't have a problem finding it.
9 - Classic Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs usually make excellent appetizers, but you can also serve them as a side dish alongside clambake.
The creamy and soft texture of the eggs combines nicely with the smoky and salty flavor of the seafood.
So, you have a balance, and though distinct, the dishes don't overpower each other.
You can find plenty of recipes, but you don't need to overcomplicate them.
Just make the filling with a combination of mayo, mustard, vinegar, and egg yolks.
Put a generous amount in each deyolked egg white and top it off with paprika or chili powder.
Eggs contain high-quality protein and vitamins, so you will enjoy the taste and receive the nutrients.
10 - Tangy Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed
We'll complete the list with a sweet and sour fruit salad with a twist.
Clambake is a versatile dish, and fruits will also complement the dish.
Besides, many of your guests may be looking for some sweet, sour, crunchy, juicy, and fresh food.
So, make and serve a fruit salad with poppy seeds to add that extra flavor.
Put prepped and chopped pineapple chunks, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, blueberries, and oranges in a big bowl.
Make a dressing with lime zest and juice, honey, and poppy seeds.
Once you mix them all, pour over the fruits and toss to coat, and serve.
