No Matter How You Wash Clams, There’s Still Grit Inside? Top Chef Reveals 2 Ingredients to Soak Them in for Surprisingly Clean Results

This chef revealed that using the following two ingredients to soak clams can help remove any remaining grit and sand.

Clams, also known as Venus clams, are a type of bivalve mollusk from the family Veneridae. They have round shells, white or pale yellow in color, and usually live in coastal areas with high salinity where there is plenty of sand, silt, and gravel. Clams are a popular, nutrient-rich food source used in many delicious dishes.

Since clams live on the seabed where there is a lot of sand and silt, improper cleaning before cooking can leave grit inside.

Many people wash clams repeatedly yet still find sand inside when eating, which reduces the enjoyment of the dish. For a more effective cleaning method, you can try the tip below from a top American chef.

How to Clean Clams and Remove Grit

In an appearance on the TV show Today, famous American chef Adam Richman shared some of his favorite summer seafood recipes along with professional tips for cleaning and prepping clams before cooking.

First, Adam explained how to check if clams are fresh. He said,
“Live clams will respond to outside stimulation. If you bring them home and see them open, tap them lightly on the counter or firmly tap them with the back of a wooden spoon. Live clams will immediately close their shells when touched. If they don’t close, they’re dead.”

For effective cleaning, Adam said that shellfish like clams act like filters, so you need to help them expel any debris by soaking them in a basin of cool water with a bit of salt or cornmeal for about 20–30 minutes.

“You don’t need much—just about 1/4 cup of each, or around 1/3 cup of salt for 3 liters of water is enough,” Adam noted.

Soaking clams before cooking stimulates them to release sand and dirt from inside their bodies, making the dish cleaner and tastier. This process mimics their natural environment and encourages them to purge their digestive systems.

After soaking, transfer the clams by hand into another container. Never pour the whole soaking basin into a strainer, as this will cause the sand to cling back onto the clams. At this point, you’ll notice plenty of grit settled at the bottom of the basin. Rinse the clams several times in clean water until the water runs clear.

Finally, Adam recommended using a stiff brush (like those used for scrubbing potatoes) to clean the shells of seaweed and dirt. If you’re planning to grill clams over a fire, this step isn’t necessary since the outer layer will burn and peel away.

Clams are a nutrient-rich seafood, and eating them properly provides plenty of protein, minerals, and essential vitamins. Specifically, clams are rich in vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin B1, vitamin A, and minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and iodine. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.