I bet you’re not often faced with ten open cans of canned clams. I’m not, and I taste stuff for a living. So, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this taste test. I’ve made the occasional clam pizza or clam chowder, so I’ve purchased canned clams before. But I had no idea there were so many types of canned clams out there—and that canned clams definitely don’t all taste the same. Some are briny, some are sweet, some are smoky. There’s a real rainbow of canned clams out there. But we were only interested in the best canned clams.
We ate samples from all ten cans of canned clams straight off a fork. We looked for firm clam flesh (the name of my prog rock band), clean, oceanic flavor, and good, salty brine (when present). And we found five brands of canned clams that passed our tests and stood above the rest—yes, including the best canned clams for chowder, but also some incredible canned razor clams and even some canned cockles that deserve a spot on your next tinned fish board. Here are the best canned clams you can buy at the grocery store or online. Let’s get clammy.
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- Jose Gourmet Razor Shell in Brine
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These canned razor clams are not for beginner canned clams eaters. They are BIG. And they look seriously phallic. They will make a statement if you put them on your next seacuterie board, which you should. Because they taste like the ocean—sweet and slightly salty, minerally and earthy. They almost taste like a West Coast-style oyster (sweet rather than briny). It’s a nice piece of sea meat with a unique flavor. If you are at all intrigued by razor clams, I highly recommend you try these canned clams.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Matiz Wild Cockles in Sea Salt Brine
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These tiny, itty-bitty canned cockles might be minute, but they pack so much flavor. They are rich and super duper savory. They almost taste like bacon. And they’re cute. They’re so cute. While these would add a ton of flavor to a chowder or spaghetti sauce, I think they deserve to be the main focus. Plop them onto a tinned fish board or make a fancy cockle toast with some really good mayo, these canned cockles, and some chopped herbs.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Geisha Smoked Baby Clams in Sunflower Oil
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If you’re looking for smoked clams, these canned whole clams are the best canned clams for you. They’re super smoky and firm. They’re very similar to canned smoked oysters, but not quite as fishy. The sunflower oil is mild, providing just the right amount of silky texture and softening up the canned clams. This is another good option for the best canned clams to eat on toast. They’re also the best canned whole clams we tried if you want a standard clam, rather than a cockle or razor clam.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Snow’s Chopped Clams
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Both these canned chopped clams and our official number one best clams are nearly equal in quality. The main difference is that these canned chopped clams are smaller and not as brinyy as our number one pick. They have a good, firm texture, and a super mild, sweet flavor—almost like mussels. If you’re looking for canned chopped clams that aren’t crazy briny, these are the best canned clams for you.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Bar Harbor Chopped Clams
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Bar Harbor makes some of the best canned clam chowder around, so it’s no surprise they make the best canned clams. Their canned chopped clams are seriously briny and seriously chonky, which makes them the best canned clams for chowder. They won’t get lost in the mix. And the brine is so good, too. It’s rich and cloudy with lots of seafood flavor, perfect for enhancing a chowder or pasta sauce. Everyone, bow down to the best canned clams.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Best Canned Razor Clams
Best Canned Cockles
Best Smoked Clams
Best Not Super Briny
Best of the Best
Other canned clams we tried: La Narval Galacian Razor Clams in Brine, Geisha Whole Baby Clams, Espinaler Razor Clams, Crown Prince Smoked Baby Clams Hand Packed in Olive Oil, Snow’s Minced Clams
