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Clambake on the Grill
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Clambake on the Grill

This Clambake on the Grill feeds a crowd and is an easy, casual summertime meal. And the mound of food in the middle of the table is impressive!
Change the quantities of the components per your taste. We do more clams and fewer mussels.
Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Clambake, Clambake on the Grill
Servings: 8 Servings
Author: Anna

Ingredients

  • pounds red new potatoes
  • 3 to 4 1-¼ pound lobsters
  • 2 sweet onions, peeled and cut into 4 wedges each
  • pounds chorizo or andouille or polish sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces, your choice, pick your favorite
  • 4 ears of corn cut crosswise into 3-inch pieces
  • pounds raw shrimp
  • 48 small mussels
  • 48 small clams, we like to use Manila clams from Costco
  • 3 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 16 sprigs parsley
  • 4 lemons
  • cups drawn butter or melted ghee, optional for serving

Instructions

Par-Cook the Potatoes:

  • If the new potatoes are large, cut them into halves or quarters. If they are small, leave them whole. Put the potatoes in a pot and cover with water by 1-inch. Add a Tablespoon of salt. (I love the little new potatoes. Because they are whole, they are easy to grab with your fingers, dip in the butter and pop in your mouth!)
  • Bring the potatoes to a boil then reduce heat to simmer and cook until just starting to get tender. This should take about 7 to 10 minutes. The potatoes will cook more in the clambake, so don't overcook them here!
  • Drain and set aside.

Par-Cook the Lobster:

  • At the same time as you are cooking the potatoes, bring a large pot of water to a boil. This pot will have to be big enough to accommodate all the lobsters (unless you use two pots).
  • When the water is boiling put each lobster into the pot head first. When all the lobsters are in the pot, return the water to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. If you use a lid, the water will come back to a boil faster. Just be sure to watch it so it doesn't boil over!

Assemble the Clambake:

  • Pre-heat your grill on high. 
  • Place the par-boiled potatoes in a single layer in the bottom of a large roasting pan. 
  • Layer the onions, sausage, and corn, then the shrimp, mussels and clams.
  • Mix the Old Bay Seasoning into the water and pour the water and wine over the contents of the roasting pan.
  • Lay the sprigs of parsley on top.
  • Then set the lobsters on top of this mixture. Don't worry if the mixture is mounded up above the top of the pan.
  • Cover the roasting pan TIGHTLY with heavy-duty foil and set the pan on your pre-heated grill. (I use two fairly large pieces of heavy-duty foil crimped together. This makes a large enough piece to have plenty of overhang to get the seal tight so the food can steam.)
  • Close the lid and cook for 20 to 30 minutes over high heat. The food is done with the clams and mussels have opened.

To Serve:

  • Cut each lemon in half and set one-half on each plate.
  • Divide the drawn butter or melted ghee into 8 small ramekins and give one to each guest for dipping. Or two guests can share one ramekin. 
  • When the clambake is cooked, empty the contents of the roasting pan into the middle of the table. (I don't dump it, I use a large spoon and tongs. I like to retain the broth.)
  • Pour the remaining broth into small bowls and serve for dipping. This is delicious for dipping bread!
  • Dig in!!!

Notes

Gr8 Do Ahead Idea:
If you are using the small red potatoes, you can boil them a couple of hours ahead of time. You can also pre-cook the lobster in the morning. Keep refrigerated until ready to put on top of the clambake.
Here's a secret: I actually par-boiled the potatoes and lobster the night before I was serving this for lunch. And everything was perfect!
Gr8 Serving Ideas:
Wrap some thickly sliced bread in foil and put it on the grill with the clambake to heat up when you have about 10 minutes of cooking left. Delicious dipped in the leftover broth!
The "napkins" in the photos are actually colorful dish towels that I found on clearance. The perfect size and weight for a casual, sort of messy meal!
 
Tried this recipe?Mention @Great8Friends or tag #gr8food!