Clams and Chorizo Rice
Updated Aug. 18, 2025
- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 30 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 2tablespoons olive oil
- 1small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- Salt
- 1pound cherry tomatoes
- ½cup/70 grams chopped dried chorizo
- 1¼ cups jasmine rice
- 1½cups chicken broth
- 1(4-ounce) can whole clams in brine and olive oil, brine reserved
- 1cup cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
638 calories; 41 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 28 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 57 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 10 grams protein; 813 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
In a large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed skillet or pot, heat oil over medium. Add the onion and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, slice about half of the tomatoes in half.
- Step 2
Add all of the halved and whole tomatoes and the chorizo to the skillet and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and blister in spots, about 4 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for another minute. Stir in the broth and clam brine. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, sprinkle the clams evenly over the top, cover and cook for 15 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer but avoid scorching, until the rice is just tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Step 3
Remove from the heat, season to taste with salt and stir in the cilantro. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and topped with more cilantro.
Private Notes
Comments
There are clams and then there are clams...if I had to guess, I would say Samantha had canned berberechos aka cockles which depending on where they're canned will certainly have both brine and olive oil...whereas most of what one may find here in the States are whole clams in either water or brine...the olive oil, and the fact that she mentioned how many dozen are in the can is what had me thinking this screams berberechos from Galicia especially as they are super small but flavor bombs
Matiz Espana Wild Cockles - I found them on Amazon.
Splurged on some high quality Spanish chorizo and cockles (berberechos) and the dish was phenomenal. Now I am going back to order more cockles - they were so good I just want to eat them straight from the can! Not something I ever thought I would say about canned clams.
This came out wonderfully. I added smoked paprika, a bit of coriander, a teaspoon of cumin, and red pepper flakes. I would have liked more clams, but I had just one can of Bar Harbor whole clams. I'm intrigued by cockles, as recommended by others, but as it was, it was easy and absolutely a keeper.
Could only find clams in water. I added some olive oil--and another can with brine. The recipe needed more liquid to get the rice tender.
Does anyone know where to get whole clams in brine and olive oil? I tried all over the internet as well as Trader Joes, Whole foods and Wegmans. Nothing even close to that available. Ended up using chopped clams with their juice and some olive oil. It was good, but I would rather have had more clam flavor. Thanks!
@Dave from Delaware Per comments on this site, I bought the clams packed in brine (no olive oil) on Amazon. Matiz Wild Cockles ~$12/4 oz can. Second time I made this I used the 4 oz can of wild cockles and added a 10 oz can of baby clams from the grocery store …better. I might try subbing clam juice for some of the chicken broth next time. Tasty recipe for minimal effort