Long skewers displaying an array of glossy clams, vibrant chunks of bell peppers, and delectable bacon weave amidst each other while sitting upon a rustic wooden serving plank. The skewers are dazzled with fresh sprigs of thyme and parsley, adding pops of color to the browned, grilled bits. Smoky tendrils hover around them.

Hickory-Smoked Clam Skewers

Name: Hickory-Smoked Clam Skewers
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 large clams scrubbed clean; 16 slices of bacon no preparation needed; 4 small, colorful bell peppers cut into 2-inch chunks; 2 lemons cut into wedges; 1/4 cup your preferred smoky spicy rub no preparation needed; 2 tablespoons olive oil no preparation needed; to taste salt no preparation needed; as needed hickory wood chips soaked in water for 15 minutes; as needed Fresh Parsley and Thyme for garnish

A flavorful, smoky spin on clam BBQ

Category BBQ

Prep 45 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style American

Technique Grilling

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily recipe · March 07, 2025

A little about this dish

This twist on a typical BBQ meal integrates the rich flavor of clams, bringing a bit of the sea to your backyard barbecue. The smoky essence derived from a spicy rub and hickory wood chips pairs harmoniously with the sweet and salty undertones of the clams, providing a unique spin on a classic.

Ingredients (for 4)

Large clams — 24 — scrubbed clean
Slices of bacon — 16 — no preparation needed
Small, colorful bell peppers — 4 — cut into 2-inch chunks
Lemons — 2 — cut into wedges
Your preferred smoky spicy rub — 1/4 cup — no preparation needed
Olive oil — 2 tablespoons — no preparation needed
Salt — to taste — no preparation needed
Hickory wood chips — as needed — soaked in water for 15 minutes
Fresh parsley and thyme — as needed — for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 — 💦🔥🍢

Soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prior to use to prevent them from burning on the grill.
Step 2 — 🔥🍂⏳

Turn your BBQ grill to medium heat and add the pre-soaked hickory chips for a smoky flavor.
Step 3 — 🥓🍋🌶️

Thread the clams, bell peppers, bacon, and lemon wedges onto the skewers in your preferred order.
Step 4 — 🖌️🌶️🍽️

Brush the skewers with olive oil and then apply your selected smoky spicy rub liberally to add zing.
Step 5 — 🍢🔥⏲️

Place the skewers on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until the clams have opened and the bacon and peppers are slightly charred. This could take around 15 minutes.
Step 6 — 🧂🍀🌿

Remove the skewers from the grill, season with additional salt if necessary, and garnish with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme to enhance the flavors.

A final fox tip

You can easily switch up the flavour profile by using a different rub, trying maple-glazed bacon, or even adding more sea fare, like shrimp or scallops, to the skewers. And don't forget, fresh grilled bread is the perfect vehicle to help soak up all those delicious juices left on your plate!