18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (2024)

These oyster recipes are destined to shine on your table throughout the year — not just in months ending in "r". Oysters are spectacular when served on the half-shell with a squeeze of citrus, but also make the meal when grilled, fried, stirred into soup like this Smoky Oyster Chowder with Bacon, Rosemary, and Fennel, or even dried then softened, as for these Lettuce Wraps with Dried Oysters. We've got loads of ways to cook and serve the briny delicacies; scroll on for more oyster recipes to celebrate the mollusk.

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Poached Oysters with Pickled Cucumber and Caviar

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (1)

At The Sportsman in England, chef Stephen Harris celebrates the restaurant's close proximity to the beach and some of the best oyster beds in the country. Here he poaches the oysters in their own liquor before putting them back in the shells and topping with creamy beurre blanc, tangy pickled cucumber, and briny caviar.

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Oysters on the Half Shell with Rosé Mignonette

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Great oysters are delicious "naked," as Island Creek founder Skip Bennett says, but sometimes chef Jeremy Sewall dresses them up with a mignonette (vinegar sauce) like this one, made with sparkling rosé.

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Grilled Oysters with Spicy Tarragon Butter

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (3)

Chef Bobby Flay tops his oysters with a blend of butter, tarragon, and hot sauce, then returns them to the grill so the butter melts into little pools in the shells.

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Shrimp and Smoked Oyster Chowder

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There are several tricks to this terrific chowder from chef Linton Hopkins of Holeman and Finch Public House in Asheville, North Carolina. He adds potato chunks to the broth for thickness, then pours in a little naturally low-fat buttermilk for creamy tanginess. And instead of fatty bacon, he uses smoked oysters to give the chowder a slightly woodsy flavor.

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Barbecued Oysters with Smoky Uni Butter

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (5)

Briny uni and acidic lemon combined with smoky paprika and rich butter make an extraordinary flavored butter to top oysters before roasting. If shucking oysters isn't your thing, ask your fishmonger to do the job for you.

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Oysters with Yuzu Kosho Mignonette

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (6)

This simple chilled appetizer combines citrusy and slightly spicy yuzu kosho with briny oysters on the half shell. Yuzu kosho is an intensely flavored fermented Japanese condiment that’s made with yuzu, chiles, and salt. When mixed with mild rice vinegar and shallot, it’s transformed into a mignonette-style condiment that complements both East and West Coast oysters.

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Oysters Rockefeller

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First created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in 1899, this famous baked oyster dish was named for the Rockefeller family because of its incredibly rich sauce. Try making it at home with star chef Emeril Lagasse's expert recipe.

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Oyster Casserole with Cracker Crumbs

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (8)

In this quick, simple recipe from Marion Cunningham's iconic The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, tender and juicy oysters are drizzled with a bit of cream and hot sauce, then baked under a sumptuous, buttery crumb mixture for a bit of crunch. Serve this dish as an appetizer for a dinner party, or as a side dish with ham or turkey. For individual servings, the mixture can be divided among four ramekins instead of a large baking dish.

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Andouille, Crab, and Oyster Gumbo

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This sensational seafood-packed gumbo comes from TV personality and F&W contributor Andrew Zimmern. It's terrific in its simplicity, with a foolproof roux (the mix of fat and flour that is the basis for all gumbos) that requires just 15 minutes of stirring instead of the usual hour.

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Grilled Oysters with Chorizo Butter

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (10)

No shucking necessary: Once the oysters open on the grill, simply top them with chef David Kinch's smoky, tangy butter.

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Oyster Tartare Sauce with Potato Chips

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (11)

This ingenious, briny sauce couldn't be simpler: Chef René Redzepi purees raw oysters with a little of their liquor, plus rice vinegar and oil. He adds diced blanched vegetables for texture, then serves the dip with potato chips.

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Taiwanese Oyster Omelet

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (12)

Chef Ruth Reichl discovered that this wonderful combination of flavors tastes even better made with small, freshly shucked oysters. If you want to save a little time, pick up some sweet chile sauce from your local Asian market. Or, follow her recipe, which makes more than what you need for these omelets and keeps for months in the refrigerator.

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Clam and Oyster Pan Roast

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (13)

This brothy, aromatic seafood dish from chef Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, North Carolina, weaves steamed clams with traditional New Orleans creamed oysters. It's hearty but not heavy, and the winter greens make it a full meal. Crusty bread is a must for sopping up the coveted broth.

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Lettuce Wraps with Dried Oysters

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"The Chinese love to play on the sound of the words, and the sound of the word 'oyster' is similar to the term 'good business,'" says cookbook author Kei Lum Chan. "So an oyster dish is popular to start Chinese New Year."

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Steak Tartare with Smoked Oyster Aïoli

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For her steak tartare, 2018 F&W Best New Chef Kate Williams uses tender beef scraps rescued from butchering rib eyes. Dark green leek tops, often discarded, become the base of her punchy gremolata. The smoked oyster aïoli adds muscle and brightness, and it’s easy to make (it takes about a minute in a blender).

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Smoky Oyster Chowder with Bacon, Rosemary, and Fennel

18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (16)

This velvety chowder from chef Dylan Fultineer is thickened with a classic flour and butter roux. He packs it with plump oysters and tender fingerling potatoes and adds a kick of heat from dried red chiles. For extra flavor, he uses bacon from Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams in Tennessee, which is famous for its intense smokiness.

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Fried Oysters with Remoulade

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These crunchy fried oysters are an elegant, fun appetizer. They're served with a creamy remoulade made with mayonnaise, horseradish, capers, hot sauce, and Creole mustard — the perfect dipper for the crispy oysters.

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Montauk Scallop and Oyster Pan Roast

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Scallops and oysters are an ideal briny, oceanic duo, and this recipe marries them perfectly."In larger portions, it's a meal-in-a-bowl dinner that your whole family will love. For parties, I make a large batch and serve it out of coffee mugs," says chef Andrew Zimmern.

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18 of Our Favorite Oyster Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many oysters for 40 people? ›

Here are our guidelines: Oysters: Appetizer Engagements: 3-4 oysters per person. As a second or third course (where other items are being served with the oysters): 5-6 oysters per person. For a main course (including an Oyster Roast or a Bull & Oyster Roast), figure 6-8 oysters per person.

What is the name of the famous oyster dish? ›

Oysters Rockefeller

First created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in 1899, this famous baked oyster dish was named for the Rockefeller family because of its incredibly rich sauce. Try making it at home with star chef Emeril Lagasse's expert recipe.

Can diabetics eat raw oysters? ›

You should not eat raw oysters if you have chronic liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, peptic ulcers, immune deficiency (such as that caused by AIDS or cancer chemotherapy), kidney failure, cancer, or if you engage in chronic heavy alcohol use, because you could develop a serious, life-threatening blood ...

How many oysters is normal to eat? ›

Like with any type of food, it's still best to enjoy oysters in moderation and include them in a balanced diet. Most experts recommend eating no more than a dozen oysters a day. As you now know, oysters are a great source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, like zinc.

How many oysters do I need for 20 people? ›

A bushel of oysters will typically feed 4-6 people. If your guests are heavy oyster eaters, or if you will not be serving other food, you probably want to do 1 bushel for every 4 people. If your guests are light oyster eaters, or you are serving other food, you should be fine with 1 bushel for every 6-8 oyster eaters.

How much is 12 oysters? ›

Market prices on oysters generally range from $36-$54 per dozen, depending on current selection and availability. We do offer half price select oysters during happy hour, which is all day Monday and Tue-Fri 3p-6p. We currently have Gulf oysters featured during happy hour, regular price $36/dz, happy hour price $18/dz.

How long do oysters last in the fridge? ›

When properly cared for live oysters will live in your refrigerator for 10 to 21 days. Are they alive? When oysters are dead in their shells they are no longer suitable to eat. To see if your oysters are alive, the shell should be closed or close when tapped lightly.

Can you eat oysters raw? ›

Every year millions of Americans eat molluscan shellfish, especially oysters and clams. While many people can enjoy these foods in either raw or cooked form, certain people are at risk of illness from eating them raw and need to be sure to eat these foods only if they are cooked properly.

Are oysters healthy? ›

Oysters are highly nutritious shellfish that offer a wide array of health benefits. They're packed with high quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants — all of which benefit health. Still, raw oysters can contain potentially harmful bacteria. To avoid getting sick, enjoy oysters cooked instead.

What to avoid when eating oysters? ›

You can become ill by eating raw or undercooked oysters or clams. If the oysters or clams are cooked thoroughly, the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria are destroyed and there is no risk of infection. Eating raw oysters or clams with hot sauce or while drinking alcohol does not destroy the bacteria.

Is oyster good for high blood pressure? ›

The presence of magnesium and potassium also help to lower blood pressure and iron helps carry oxygen to blood cells. Oysters are also high in potassium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce the overall risk of stroke and heart attack. They are also effective at lowering blood pressure.

What fish is not good for diabetics? ›

Limit fish like shark, swordfish, and tilefish, as these have a higher risk of mercury contamination, advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) echoes these recommendations for people with diabetes.

Is it better to chew or swallow oysters? ›

We're often asked, “Are you supposed to chew oysters?” and we're here to tell you that despite what you may have heard, it's not recommended to swallow an oyster whole. Biting into the oyster allows flavorful juices to escape and enhances the overall savoring experience.

Why are oysters so expensive? ›

Making oysters environmentally safe and ethical to grow came at a cost, as the shellfish take a lot of work to produce. And now when oysters are raised, the environment they're grown in is one of the main considerations.

What is the rule for eating oysters? ›

Rule of thumb is at least 4,000 years old. Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters in months with the letter “r” – from September to April – to avoid watery shellfish, or worse, a nasty bout of food poisoning. Now, a new study suggests people have been following this practice for at least 4,000 years.

How many oysters do I need for a party? ›

Oysters are an incredible social eating experience. Being able to provide your guests with a limitless shuck and slurp session during your event is sure to keep everyone happy. If that's the case, we recommend ordering a dozen per person.

How many oysters are in a 50 lb bag? ›

One bushel of oysters weighs approximately 45 to 60 pounds and contains between 100 and 150 oysters. A bushel of oysters yields approximately 7 pounds of meats (with liquor). A peck of oysters is 1/4 bushel.

How many oysters per person as a main? ›

As an appetizer, about 6 to 9 oysters per guest. As a main course, 12 oysters if you are serving them with a side or 20 if you are not.

What is the average serving of oysters? ›

A serving of 3 oysters (approximately 85 grams) provides 69 calories, 8 g protein, 2 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 90 mg sodium, 42 mg cholesterol, is an excellent source of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, and a source of magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C. They also contain some calcium.

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