How to Cook Oysters

When learning how to cook oysters, you will find there are many techniques. There are also many different recipes for each way of cooking them. Many people love good quality fresh oysters served raw. (I do not eat them raw and do not recommend it. Supposedly you only eat them raw in months without an “R” in it. I am No expert in this area.) To cook oysters, they can be broiled, grilled, fried, sautéed and steamed. They are used in recipes like stuffing, stews, scalloped, barbequed, in salads, for sandwiches and so many other ways.  

How to Cook OystersHow to Cook Oysters

Most people will express either their love or hate for oysters; no in-between. Much of the “love for oysters” comes from the regions you are talking to. Coastal regions have access to very fresh ones which are delicious when prepared. Quality is important when preparing oysters and other seafood due to quick deterioration.


When learning how to cook oysters, you should know there are over a hundred varieties. From these different types, there are only five species. The different species depend on the location of harvesting. The ones I usually purchase are Crassostrea Virginia. They come out of the Atlantic Ocean along the North American coasts. These are a little larger and the only indigenous oyster in North America. Because of the size, these make a beautiful presentation when battered and deep fried, grilled or broiled. Great for appetizers!


Along the U.S. Pacific coastal area, the Crassostrea Gigas are harvested. These are not indigenous to America but were brought into these waters. The shells of these oysters are prettier in colors and ruffled on the edges. When learning how to cook oysters, for the most part they are interchangeable in recipes. However true this is, this type of oyster offers a pretty presentation when serving them in the shell. These are known to be sweeter and less briny than the Atlantic oysters.


Also from the west coast of the United States is the Olympia Oysters (Or Ostrea Conchaphila). This is the only indigenous oyster to our west coast. If learning how to cook oysters, this flavorful oyster is the smallest of all the species. It is known for a strong sweet celery flavor and a creamy texture.


The European flats or Ostrea Edulis from Europe have smooth flat shells. With a meaty texture, many describe them as having a crunch when eating. The Asian Crassostrea sikameafrom or kumamoto oysters are known for their bowl shaped shells. They are small and have a sweet nutty flavor; good for soups and stews, if you are learning how to cook oysters. Although I have cooked oysters successfully for decades, I must admit that I am no professional when it comes to oysters. I mostly use them all interchangeably except I like larger ones for appetizers or presentation.

HOW TO CLEAN OYSTERS?

Scrub each oyster shell with a stiff brush under running cold water.

To open (known as shucking) place rounded side down on cutting board.

Cover oyster with clean cloth to protect your hands.

Hold oyster with cloth; cautiously pry open with a short strong knife.

Slide knife along inside of upper shell to cut muscle and release oyster.

Try to reserve as much of the juice as possible.

NOTE: When serving raw in the bottom half shell, juice is served also.

PREPARING OYSTERS ON HALF SHELL

Use the larger bottom half of oyster shells; discard tops. Using a shallow serving bowl fill with crushed ice. Place the half shell in the ice and arrange a little container next to the shell in the ice. Fill the small container with seafood sauce. Place 6 to 8 small oysters in the half shell. Garnish with lemon wedge.

HOW TO COOK OYSTERS BATTER DIPPED 

Batter Dipped OystersBatter Dipped Oysters

Learn how to cook oysters by dipping in batter and deep frying.

  • 1 Quart oysters (I like larger oysters for presentation)
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Cup flour
  • Cooking oil

Look over oysters and remove any bits of the shell.

Combine baking soda and buttermilk in small bowl; beat with fork.

Beat in the flour and salt until smooth.

Heat 1 ½ inches of cooking oil in heavy saucepan.

Dip oysters in batter; drop in hot oil.

Brown on both sides turning once; drain on paper towels.

Serve with favorite seafood sauce.

OYSTER STEW RECIPE 

Oyster Stew RecipeOyster Stew Recipe

How to cook oysters in a creamy stew.

  • 24 Fresh oysters (With liquid)
  • 2 Cups half and half cream
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (PLUS for topping)
  • ¼ Teaspoon paprika
  • Dash celery salt

Heat oysters in saucepan just until edges start to curl.

Add the cream, 2 tablespoons butter, pepper, paprika, salt and celery salt.

Heat gently just until hot (Not boiling).

Serve hot in hot bowls; top with pat of butter.

Serve with crackers

HOW TO COOK OYSTERS SCALLOPED  

Oysters Scalloped RecipeOysters Scalloped Recipe
  • 2 Cups coarse toast crumbs
  • ¼ Cup melted butter (PLUS for dishes)
  • 2 Dozen raw oysters (Drain and RESERVE liquid)
  • ¼ Cup oyster liquid
  • 2 Tablespoons cream
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Dash cayenne
  • 1 Tablespoon sherry

Preheat oven to 425F degrees; butter 4 ramekin dishes.

Combine crumbs and ¼ cup of melted butter.

Divide crumb mixture in half; use half to line 4 dishes.

Arrange 6 oysters in each of 4 dishes over crumbs.

Combine remaining ingredients and mix well.

Divide liquid mixture spooning over oysters in 4 dishes.

Top with remaining crumbs divided equally.

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

CORNBREAD OYSTER DRESSING   

Cornbread Oyster DressingCornbread Oyster Dressing

Learn to cook oysters in this delicious cornbread stuffing. Start by making the cornbread (Can be made ahead of time).

Cornbread Recipe

Cornbread for Oyster DressingCornbread for Oyster Dressing
  • 2 Tablespoons bacon grease
  • 1 Cup flour
  • 1 Cup yellow cornmeal (I prefer the coarse ground)
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 5 Ounces Cheddar cheese (Dice in small cubes)
  • 1/4 Cup green chopped onions

Preheat oven 375F degrees.

Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in bowl.

In small bowl stir together milk and egg; add to flour mixture.

Stir mixture just to blend all dry ingredients; stir in cheese and onions.

Place bacon grease in 10 inch iron skillet (Or baking pan).

Place skillet in oven until hot and grease melts.

Tilt skillet to coat bottom evenly; stir hot grease into batter.

Pour batter into hot skillet; bake for 20 minutes until done.

Oyster Cornbread Stuffing

Oyster Cornbread StuffingOyster Cornbread Stuffing
Oyster Cornbread StuffingOyster Cornbread Stuffing
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ¾ Cup chopped green bell pepper
  • ½ Cup chopped celery
  • 2 Teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 Bay leaves
  • 12 Ounces fresh oysters (NOT drained)
  • 1 Cup chicken broth
  • ¼ Cup chopped green onion
  • ½ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ Teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 Teaspoons salt
  • 2 Teaspoons hot sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 ½ Cups milk
  • 1 Recipe baked cornbread

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat.

Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and bay leaves.

Cook and stir 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Drain oysters and reserve liquid; set oysters aside.

Add oyster liquid, broth and green onion to skillet; bring to boil.

REDUCE HEAT and simmer 5 minute stirring occasionally; reduce from heat.

Stir in oysters, black pepper, white pepper, parsley, salt, hot sauce and thyme.

REMOVE BAY LEAVES.

Beat eggs and milk in large bowl; crumble cornbread into bowl.

Add oyster mixture to bowl; stir until well blended.

Pour stuffing into greased deep 11X7 baking dish.

Bake 45 to 60 minutes until golden brown; serves 8 to 10.

BROILED OYSTER RECIPE

  • 1 Cup fine cracker crumbs
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Pint oysters
  • ½ Cup vegetable oil

Drain oysters; dry on paper towels.

Combine cracker crumbs, salt and pepper; set aside.

Dip oysters in oil; dip in crumb mixture.

Broil in hot oven until brown; turn over and brown on other side.

Serve hot with seafood sauce; serves 4.

GRILLED OYSTERS MORNAY

Learn how to cook oysters on the grill.

  • 24 Oysters in shell (Scrub, open, free meat and discard top shell; see above for instructions)
  • 1 Shallot (Minced)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (Melted)
  • ½ Pound country ham (Minced)
  • ½ Pound fresh lump crabmeat (Drain)
  • Mornay Sauce (Recipe below)

Sauté shallot and garlic in butter for 2 minutes.

Over low heat stir ham into mixture; cook 2 minutes.

Spoon 1 tablespoon ham mixture onto oyster in each shell bottom.

Top each with a portion of the crab meat; top with 1 tablespoon Mornay Sauce.

Cook oysters in covered grill over hot coals 8 minutes.

NOTE: Can also be baked at 350F degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 24.


Mornay Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 Cup milk
  • ½ Cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • ½ Cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • ½ Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat.

Stir in flour until smooth; cook and stir another minute.

Gradually stir in milk; cook and stir over medium until thickened.

Stir in all cheeses until smooth; makes 1 ¼ cups.

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

Learn how to cook oysters fit for a king.

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 5 Ounces chopped spinach (Fresh or frozen then thawed)
  • 1 Tablespoon instant minced onion
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 Bay leaf (Finely crumbled)
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ Cup dried bread crumbs
  • Rock salt
  • 18 Large oysters (On half shell)
  • 2 Bacon slices (Diced)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 18 Lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 425F degrees.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add spinach, onion, parsley, bay leaf, salt and cayenne pepper.

Cook stirring occasionally until spinach wilts and mixture is hot.

Toss in breadcrumbs; set aside off heat.

Layer ROCK salt in bottom of shallow baking pan.

NOTE: Use enough to keep oysters in shells and from tipping over.

Place oysters in half shell a little down in the salt.

Spoon spinach mixture on the oysters; sprinkle with bacon and Parmesan.

Bake 10 minutes or until bacon is crisp; garnish with lemon wedges.

EASY BAKED OYSTERS

  • 1/3 Cup melted butter
  • 1 Large egg
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 Teaspoon pepper
  • 10 Ounces large oysters (Drain)
  • ½ Cup fine dry breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/8 Teaspoon paprika

Preheat oven to 425F degrees.

Pour melted butter into 11X7 inch baking dish.

In small bowl combine egg, milk, salt and pepper; beat to blend.

Dip each oyster in egg mixture; dredge in breadcrumbs.

Place in baking dish turning to coat with butter.

Top oysters evenly with cheese, parsley and paprika.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned; serves 4.

BARBEQUED OYSTERS

Learn how to cook oysters with this delicious recipe.

  • 1 Pint oysters (Was, drain on paper towels)
  • Flour
  • ¼ Cup PLUS 3 tablespoons butter (No substitute; Divided)
  • ½ Cup sherry
  • ½ Cup A-1 Steak Sauce

Melt 3 TABLESPOONS butter in skillet; brown oysters.

Remove oysters from skillet; add ¼ CUP butter, sherry and steak sauce.

Add oysters back into skillet; simmer until oysters are tender.

Serves 2 to 4.

LOUISVILLE ROLLED OYSTERS

Learn how to cook oysters like in Louisville Kentucky. (Supposedly was copied from the local newspaper.)

  • ½ Cup flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • ¼ Cup milk (Or more)
  • 18 Medium size oysters (Drained)
  • Enough white cornmeal or cracker meal for rolling
  • Lard or vegetable oil for frying

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

Beat egg and milk together; stir into flour mixture.

NOTE: Mixture should be stiff to form into croquettes; if too stiff beat in more “drops” milk.

Stir oysters into egg milk mixture to coat well.

Take 3 batter coated oysters out at a time.

With hands shape into a croquette; quickly roll into meal to cover completely.

Coat again with the batter and roll in meal again.

NOTE: Repeat with all oysters; place croquettes on parchment lined tray.

Heat lard or oil to 375F degrees (No hotter; need to thoroughly cook).

Place croquettes in basket without crowding; lower into hot fat.

Cook about 3 to 4 minutes until browned all over; drain on paper towels.

NOTE: Key is to keep the oysters from separating from the croquettes.

Serves 6.

SMOKED OYSTER AND CORN CASSEROLE

Learn how to cook oysters in casseroles.

  • 1 Egg
  • ½ Cup milk
  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) cream corn
  • 1/8 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon minced onion
  • 4 Soda crackers (Crush coarsely)
  • 1 Can smoked oysters (Drained)

Preheat oven to 325F degrees.

In baking casserole beat egg lightly with fork.

Add milk, corn, salt, soy sauce and onion; mix well.

Scatter oysters over the top; top with cracker crumbs.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until set; serves 4 to 6.

OYSTERS AND WILD RICE RECIPE

Learn how to cook oysters with wild rice.

  • 3 Cups wild rice
  • ½ Cup chopped onion
  • 2 Cups chopped celery
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ Cup milk
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon sage
  • ¼ Teaspoon thyme
  • 1/8 Teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Pint oysters (Drained)
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • Cracker crumbs

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Cook rice according to package directions.

In large skillet brown onion and celery in ¼ cup of butter.

Remove from heat; add milk, flour and spices.

Stir drained rice into skillet mixture.

Pour into greased 2 quart casserole baking dish.

Soak drained oysters in ½ cup melted butter 5 minutes.

Pour oyster and butter over casserole spreading out the oysters.

Top casserole with cracker crumbs; bake 45 minutes.

Serves 8.