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clam cakes with tartar sauce

New England Clam Cakes

Diana Rattray
These amazing clam cakes are very easy to fix with canned or fresh minced clams, saltines, and eggs. Old Bay Seasoning adds flavor, and they are fantastic with tartar sauce.
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Servings 4 servings
Calories 194
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams, or about 12 to 14 ounces of fresh chopped clams
  • 1 sleeve saltine crackers, finely crushed (about 1 cup crushed)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 3 to 4 tbsp butter, for frying
  • ½ cup tartar sauce, mayonnaise, or remoulade sauce (optional)
  • lemon wedges
  • chopped parsley (optional), for garnish

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and drain the clams. Squeeze gently to remove as much moisture as possible. Discard the liquids or freeze and use later in a seafood soup.
    2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams
    • The key to clam cakes that hold together is draining the clams as thoroughly as possible. Press them firmly in the sieve and even pat them with paper towels if needed — excess moisture is the main reason clam cakes fall apart. If the mixture seems too wet to shape, add a few more crushed crackers a tablespoon at a time until it holds together.
  • Combine the drained clams in a bowl with the crushed cracker crumbs, onion powder, lemon juice, and Old Bay. Mix well.
    1 sleeve saltine crackers | 1 tsp onion powder | 2 tsp lemon juice | 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • Add the beaten eggs to the clam mixture, stirring until moistened.
    2 large eggs
  • Shape the mixture into 4 to 6 clam cakes.
  • Heat the butter over medium-low heat. When the foaming subsides, add the clam cakes to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and cooked through.
    3 to 4 tbsp butter
  • Serve with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley for garnish, if desired.
    1/2 cup tartar sauce, mayonnaise, or remoulade sauce (optional) | lemon wedges | chopped parsley (optional)
    clam cakes with lemon and tartar sauce on a plate

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 493mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 451IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword clam burgers, clam cakes, clams, crackers, old bay, tartar sauce
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