Ina Garten’s Sun-Kissed Clams, Sausage & Corn Skillet Recipe

Summer breezes and sizzling skillets call for Ina Garten’s summer skillet with clams, sausage & corn that promises pure coastal comfort.

Fresh ingredients dance together in one spectacular pan, creating a melody of flavors.

Coastal charm meets rustic cooking with this simple yet elegant dish.

The hearty combination of sweet corn, tender clams, and savory sausage delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Each bite transports you to a seaside retreat, where relaxed dining meets gourmet excellence.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques shine through in this effortless recipe.

Dive into this delightful summer feast that celebrates seasonal ingredients with maximum flavor and minimal fuss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Pantry List for Ina Garten’s Clam, Corn & Sausage Skillet

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and build a rich, smooth cooking foundation with a hint of Mediterranean warmth.
• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base that adds depth and complexity to the entire dish.

• Sausage, Clams: Delivers hearty protein with a robust, ocean-fresh taste that creates a delightful surf-and-turf experience.

• Corn, Tomatoes: Bring summer's vibrant sweetness and juicy texture, creating a colorful and light meal sensation.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a zesty kick that elevates the entire dish with subtle heat.
• Fresh Basil: Offers a bright, herbal note that refreshes and balances the rich ingredients.

• White Wine: Introduces a sophisticated, tangy flavor that helps steam the clams and blend all ingredients.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a silky, luxurious sauce that unifies the dish's flavors.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and harmonize all the ingredients' natural flavors with classic, essential seasoning.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Summer Skillet

• Cast Iron Skillet: Large 12-inch heavy-duty pan crucial for cooking and serving the dish.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and breaking sausage without scratching the skillet.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions and cutting sausage into bite-size pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Essential for accurately adding salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Measuring Cups: Helps measure wine and olive oil precisely.
• Ladle: Great for serving the skillet contents into shallow bowls.
• Kitchen Tongs: Useful for arranging clams and turning ingredients while cooking.

Cooking Guide for Ina Garten’s Coastal Summer Dish

• Onion Foundation

Warm a robust cast iron skillet and drizzle olive oil, gently coaxing diced onions into a soft, translucent state over gentle heat.

• Sausage Introduction

Crumble sausage into the skillet, allowing it to dance and brown, releasing rich flavors and transforming from pink to golden.

• Vegetable Symphony

Tumble vibrant corn kernels and juicy tomatoes into the pan, sprinkling red pepper flakes and seasonings for a zesty kick.

• Wine and Butter Magic

Stream white wine across the skillet and dot with luxurious butter, creating a silky base for the upcoming seafood performance.

• Clam Placement

Carefully nestle fresh clams into the colorful mixture, arranging them like edible jewels with hinged sides pressing into the fragrant landscape.

• Steaming Finale

Cover the skillet, reduce heat, and let the ingredients meld and transform, waiting until clams dramatically pop open their shells.

• Elegant Serving

Spoon the colorful medley into wide bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and accompany with crusty French bread for a perfect summer feast.

Swap & Season Tips for Ina Garten’s Summer Skillet

• Select live, tightly closed clams from a reputable fishmonger. Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking, as they might be dead and unsafe to eat.
• Experiment with different sausage varieties like spicy Italian, chorizo, or chicken sausage to change the flavor profile and match your taste preferences.
• Add zucchini, bell peppers, or summer squash to boost the vegetable content. Ensure chopped vegetables are similar in size for even cooking.
• Control heat by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes. Add a dash of smoked paprika for deeper complexity without overwhelming spiciness.
• Substitute white wine with chicken broth, seafood stock, or dry vermouth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. Each liquid will bring a unique depth to the dish.

Plating Guide for Ina Garten’s Skillet Delight

• Pair with Fresh Crusty Bread: Slice a warm baguette or rustic French bread to soak up the delicious broth and capture every savory drop from the skillet.
• Enhance with Chilled White Wine: Select a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the briny clams and rich sausage, creating a perfect summer dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped basil or parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the dish's fresh flavors.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve alongside a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty skillet and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory ingredients.

Meal Planning & Storage for Ina Garten’s Summer Combo

• Refrigerate Promptly: Store any leftover skillet in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of white wine to prevent drying. Discard any clams that didn't open during the initial cooking.
• Freeze Wisely: Avoid freezing this dish, as seafood and corn lose texture and quality when frozen. Fresh ingredients are key to maintaining the recipe's vibrant flavors.
• Prep Ahead Strategically: Chop vegetables and slice sausage in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to streamline cooking process.

Vibrant Ina Garten Summer Skillet With Clams, Sausage & Corn Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s summer skillet blends succulent clams, spicy sausage, and sweet corn into a coastal-inspired feast. Coastal ingredients mingle perfectly, creating one delicious dish you will savor with friends.

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Ingredients

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• 0.75 lbs (340 g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 32 fresh littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 3 cups (450 g) fresh corn kernels, cut off the cob (4 to 5 ears)
• 1 lbs (450 g) vine-ripened tomatoes, 0.5-inch diced
• 1.5 cups (240 g) small-diced yellow onion (1 large)
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
• 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter, large-diced
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) julienned fresh basil leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• French bread, for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Gently cook chopped onions until translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Build Flavor Base: Add sausage to the skillet, breaking into bite-sized pieces. Cook until meat browns and loses pink color, creating a rich flavor foundation.
3. Layer Ingredients: Introduce corn kernels, diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Combine and sauté for 3 minutes to meld flavors intensely.
4. Create Liquid Foundation: Deglaze skillet with white wine, then dot surface with butter, creating a glossy, flavorful liquid base for the seafood.
5. Steam Clams: Arrange fresh clams in tight concentric circles, hinged sides down. Increase heat to bring mixture to a boil, then immediately cover and reduce temperature.
6. Finish and Serve: Steam clams for 8-12 minutes until shells open completely. Transfer to shallow bowls, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve alongside crusty French bread for a complete summer feast.

Notes

• Sauté Smartly: Gently cook onions until translucent to build a flavorful base without browning, releasing natural sweetness.
• Sausage Secrets: Break sausage into small pieces for even cooking and maximum caramelization, ensuring no pink meat remains.
• Clam Cooking Technique: Position clams with hinged sides down to promote uniform steaming and prevent uneven cooking.
• Wine Deglazing Magic: Use white wine to lift browned bits from skillet, creating a rich sauce that enhances overall dish depth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg