This vegan clam dip is amazing! It has fooled many people into thinking that it is the real deal. However, it's 100% plant-based and gluten-free! Made with king mushrooms for the clam texture and kelp granules to give it the authentic seafood taste. If you like clam dip, but no longer eat seafood, this is a must try!
Clam dip was one of those things that we would have on special occasions like New Year's Eve or at a Super Bowl party. I used to love the taste of seafood, and clam dip was my absolute favorite.
Jump to:
A few years ago, I ate my first king mushroom. With the first bite, I knew that I could make amazing mock seafood recipes with them. I first made some vegan linguini with clam sauce, which came out delicious! Then I had the idea of making clam dip with these mushrooms. I was thrilled when it came out incredibly similar to the dip I remembered my mom making as a child!
🍄 How do you prepare king mushrooms?
To prepare these king mushrooms, simply wash them and cut off the bottom inch or 2 where it begins to get a harder texture and cut of the top brown cap as well. Then simply dice them into small cubes for this recipe.
👩🏻🍳 Tips for cutting king mushrooms
- The cap has a strong mushroom flavor that you don't want in this dish. The middle stem portion has a very mild flavor and soft seafood like texture.
- I cut the mushroom into small pieces about 1 cm. cubed. They will get a little smaller once they have cooked and be the same size and similar texture as pieces of diced clams.
🥄 Instructions
- Wash the king mushroom, cut off and discard the brown cap and bottom 1 ½ inches.
- Dice the mushroom into small bite-sized pieces (about 1cm cubes).
- Add oil to the bottom of a skillet.
- Add mushrooms and sprinkle with salt and ½ tsp of kelp granules.
- Fry in oil on medium heat until they release their juices and become slightly translucent.
- While mushrooms are cooking, mix hot water, salt, garlic powder, and the other ½ tsp kelp granules in a bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Add vegan cream cheese and cooked mushrooms to the bowl of broth mixture and mix well.
- Chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to mix.
❓Frequently asked questions
I find these kelp granules at Whole Foods or my local Asian Market, but you can also order it from Amazon if you don't live near one of these stores. If you don't eat meat, but love that seafood taste, you won't regret getting some of this stuff! I also use it to make my vegan "tuna" salad and my linguini with clam sauce which are both amazing)!
I get mine at a local Asian market. They seem to consistently have them at most Asian grocery stores. If you can't find them near you and your feeling ambitious, you can order the spores through Amazon and grow your own.
👩🏻🍳 Pro tips
- This recipe works great to make up a day ahead of a party!
- Serve with pretzels or chips.
🌟 More vegan seafood recipes
- Vegan Shrimp
- Linguini with Mock Clam Sauce
- Vegan Scallops in Garlic Cream Sauce
- Vegan Tuna
- Mock Tuna Melt
- Vegan Fried Shrimp
- Vegan Fish Fry
📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
Vegan Clam Dip
Ingredients
- 1 large king mushroom diced about 1 cup of diced mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon neutral flavored oil like canola
- 1 teaspoon kelp flakes
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoon hot water
- 1 8 oz. package vegan cream cheese like Toffuti or Trader Joes brand
Instructions
- Wash the king mushroom, cut off and discard the brown cap and bottom 1 ½ inches.
- Dice the mushroom into small bite-sized pieces (about 1cm cubes).
- Add oil to the bottom of a skillet.
- Add mushrooms and sprinkle with salt and ½ tsp of kelp granules.
- Fry in oil on medium heat until they release their juices and become slightly translucent.
- While mushrooms are cooking, mix hot water, salt, garlic powder, and the other ½ tsp kelp granules in a bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Add vegan cream cheese and cooked mushrooms to the bowl of broth mixture and mix well.
- Chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to mix.
Notes
- You can eat this dip immediately, however, the flavors mix better if it is allowed to sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
- Perfect to make a day ahead and have it ready for a party.
Nutrition
*This recipe was originally published on December 13, 2017. It was updated on February 28, 2022, to include new images and more detailed information.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Click the stars above or leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you!
You should wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth or kitchen towel as they absorb a lot of water. Just a thought.
O. M. G. This is fantastic!! We were so excited for the taste, that we ate 1/2 bag of Kettle chips! 🙂 I did add 1 T of my tangy, soy yoghurt. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you!
I'm so happy that you liked it! Clam dip has always been a favorite of mine. I'm so happy that I can have that flavor again! 🙂
This looks great, as do many other recipes on your site. Having a hard time pinning them. Am I missing something? Thanks!
Thanks, I'm not sure why you would be having an issue. I'll look into it further. I think that sometimes Pinterest acts funny. You should be able to click on any image on the page and my Pin will pop up. If it's glitching, you can go to the top bar (or the bottom if you're on a mobile and click the little P to take you to my Pinterest page. My Hidden Veggies board has every recipe I've ever made! 🙂
Thanks!
This stuff is seriously crazy! It really tastes like clam dip! Thanks so much for this recipe! I've missed that taste of seafood!