Clam Juice

LiquidSeafoodMolluskAllergen: ShellfishNot vegetarianBrinyOceanicSavoryUmamiSaltyMineralClean

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories: 6
Protein (g): 1.1
Fat (g): 0.1
Carbs (g): 0.4
Fiber (g): —
Sodium (mg): 550

Mostly water with high salinity; provides savory amino compounds and trace minerals from clams.

Storage

Room temp: up to 365 days
Refrigerated: up to 5 days
Frozen: up to 90 days

Clam juice is the clear, briny liquid obtained from cooking or pressing clams and then straining. It tastes clean and oceanic with a saline snap; it concentrates umami for soups, chowders, risottos, and seafood sauces, and is sold filtered and lightly salted in bottles or cans. As a shellfish-derived product, it is not vegetarian.

It developed from coastal shellfish cookery, especially New England chowders and Italian-American sauces, and spread via seafood canning and processing hubs in the 20th century. Modern production steams clams and strains the liquor for consistent salinity.