Fresh Live Geoduck
Fresh Geoduck is the king of clams. Chefs-Resources’ Geoduck page shows when fresh Geoduck is available, what it’s flavor profile and taste is like, the yield % from whole live Geoduck so you can determine your plate costing. You’ll also find a nutrition table, the Flavor Scale, and links for further research.
Geoduck Flavor Profile and Taste
Geoduck have a sweet flavor with a light brininess. The flesh is smooth and cream colored after the the tough skin has been removed. The texture is firm and crunchy.
Alternate Names
Elephant Trunk Clam, King Clam
Geoduck Description

Geoduck are the largest burrowing clam, have an elongated shell and can grow to a shell length of 7″ with a siphon up to 3 feet long. They have a long siphon which extends well beyond the shell and it’s appearance is often associated with an elephant trunk or with certain male anatomy. The average market weight of live Geoduck is about 2 pounds. They can live to be 100 years old, but typical harvest age is 8-9 years. The siphon is the edible portion. It is covered by a tough skin which can be easily removed by soaking for a few minutes in warm water. Geoduck spawn in the winter. Their spawning material does not affect the quality of the meat except that shelf life will be shorter.
Range & Habitat
Geoduck are available commercially only in the Pacific Northwest from Washington to southern Alaska.
Typical Wholesale Products
Whole Live, Fresh Siphon Meat, Frozen Siphon Meat, Dried Body Meat
Fresh Geoduck Availability
Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh. Frozen available all year long.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Geoduck Yield % and Recovery
Item | To Useable Meat | To Steaks | To Necks |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Live Geoduck | 33% | 22% | 12% |
For detailed butchering yield % and recovery see Geoduck Yield Percentage |
How to Cook Live Geoduck
This video shows how to prepare a geoduck by removing it from the shell, removing the tough skin on the neck, and how to clean the geoduck.
Geoduck Sustainability Information
Name | Alternate Names | Catch Method | Catch Region |
SeafoodWatch | Blue Ocean |
Ocean Wise |
Sea Choice |
Mercury Concerns |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geoduck, Panopea generosa | Giant Clam, Horseneck Clam, Mirugai |
Wild | US, Canadian Pacific | ![]() |
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n/a |
Farmed | n/a | n/a | ![]() |
n/a | ||||
Disclaimer: The sustainability info above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, each program randomly updates their information without our knowledge. We therefore recommend that you verify the current accuracy of this information. | ||||||||
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Updated August 2013 |
Nutritional Informationbased upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.
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