A Surprisingly Simple Trick to Remove Sand from Clams in Just Minutes

It turns out that with one simple trick, clams can release sand incredibly fast, making them ready for cooking in no time. Clams are a familiar and popular type of seafood, loved for their fresh, sweet flavor and high nutritional value. They are rich in protein, minerals, and essential vitamins, making them a healthy choice for family meals. However, one step that often frustrates home cooks is removing the sand trapped inside the clams before cooking.

Traditionally, clams are soaked in saltwater and left to sit for hours so they can gradually expel sand. Unfortunately, this method is time-consuming and not always effective, often leaving unpleasant grit behind. Today, I’m sharing a small but powerful tip passed down by a fisherman with more than 10 years of hands-on experience. This method requires no salt and no oil—just 5 minutes for the clams to release sand completely, while still preserving their natural sweetness and freshness.

1. How to Choose Fresh Clams

Selecting fresh clams is an extremely important step before cleaning them. Fresh clams usually keep their shells tightly closed. When you gently touch or tap them, they will react by opening slightly and then quickly closing again. If you notice clams with shells wide open that do not respond to touch or close very slowly, they are likely dead and should not be purchased.

It’s also best to choose clams with smooth shells and bright, natural colors. These clams are not only fresher but also tend to release sand more easily during cleaning, ensuring better texture and flavor after cooking.

2. A Super-Fast Sand-Removing Trick

Ingredients Needed:

• Fresh clams

• High-proof white rice wine (or strong clear alcohol)

• Clean water

• A stainless steel bowl with a tight-fitting lid

Steps to Follow:

Step 1: Rinse the clams
Rinse the clams thoroughly under running water to remove dirt, mud, and sand stuck to the outer shells. This step helps prevent outside debris from mixing back into the water later.

Step 2: Use alcohol to stimulate the clams
Place the clams into the stainless steel bowl and add a small amount of strong white alcohol—about 15 ml for every 500 g of clams. The strong aroma of the alcohol stimulates the clams’ survival instinct, causing them to open their shells to breathe. As they do so, the sand inside is quickly expelled. Additionally, alcohol reduces the surface tension of the water, allowing the sand to be released more efficiently.

Step 3: Shake gently
Cover the bowl with another bowl or a tight lid, then gently shake for about 5 minutes. Avoid shaking too hard, as this may crack the shells. This motion further encourages the clams to release sand more effectively.

Step 4: Let the clams rest
After shaking, remove the lid and you will notice that the clams have already begun releasing sand. Add clean water until the clams are fully submerged, then let them sit undisturbed for another 10 minutes so they can expel any remaining sand.

Step 5: Final rinse
Remove the clams and rinse them one last time under clean running water. At this point, most of the sand will have been completely removed, and the clams are ready to cook with confidence.

Delicious Dish Ideas Using Clean Clams

Once the clams are sand-free, you can easily turn them into a variety of delicious and satisfying dishes:

Garlic Stir-Fried Clams

Ingredients:
Clams, minced garlic, sliced ginger, scallions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, salt, sugar, and cooking oil.

Method:
Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add clams and stir-fry over high heat until the shells open. Season with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Add scallions, toss well, and turn off the heat.

Steamed Clams with Egg Custard

Ingredients:
Clams, eggs, clam cooking liquid, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions.

Method:
Beat eggs with strained clam cooking liquid at a ratio of 1 egg to 1.5 parts liquid. Skim off bubbles for a smooth texture. Pour into a bowl and steam for 4 minutes, then add clams on top and steam for another 6 minutes. Finish with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped scallions.