New England Clambake (Stovetop)

A whole New England clambake layered in one big pot: red potatoes, onions, sausage, corn, lobsters, steamers and mussels, steamed together and served with melted butter. Serves 4.

New England clambake spread with lobsters, clams, mussels, corn, potatoes and sausage
  • Prep 30 min
  • Cook 40 min
  • Purge clams 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 40 min
  • Yield 4 servings

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A traditional New England clambake is cooked in a sand pit on the beach under layers of seaweed. This stovetop version layers the same ingredients in a large pot so everything steams in the briny juices and finishes at the same time.

Dump it all onto a paper-covered table, set out bowls of melted butter and lemon, and dig in.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds small red potatoes
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, cut in 2-inch pieces
  • 4 ears corn, halved
  • 4 (1 1/4 pound) live lobsters
  • 2 pounds steamers or littleneck clams, scrubbed and purged
  • 2 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 1 (12 ounce) bottle lager or 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Start the pot. In a very large stockpot (at least 20 quarts), put the beer, salt, potatoes and onions. Cover, bring to a boil and cook 12 minutes.
  2. Add the sausage and corn. Add the sausage and corn, cover and cook 5 minutes.
  3. Add the lobsters. Lay the lobsters on top, cover and steam 8 minutes.
  4. Add the shellfish. Add the clams and mussels, cover and steam 6 to 10 minutes, until the shells open and the lobsters are bright red. Discard any shells that stay closed.
  5. Serve. Lift everything onto a platter or paper-covered table and serve with melted butter and lemon. Strain the broth for dipping.

Tips

  • A lobster is done when the meat reaches 140°F and an antenna pulls out easily.
  • Soak clams in salted cold water for 30 minutes to purge sand.

Questions about this recipe

What goes in a New England clambake?
Lobsters, clams, mussels, corn, potatoes, onions and sausage.
Can I make it without lobster?
Yes; use extra clams and shrimp, added for the last 4 minutes.

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