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What is Oyster Stew?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Oyster stew is a simple, rich soup with the star ingredient of oysters. It can be made with either fresh or canned oysters, depending on what is available, and the key to oyster stew is minimal cooking, making it very easy and fast to prepare. This dish is especially popular along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, although it can be found in other regions as well.

It may surprise you to learn that oyster stew was once a poor man's food. In the early days of oyster stew, oysters were so abundant that they were extremely cheap, and even the poorest of families could afford a few dozen oysters, especially for a Sunday treat of oyster stew. The same was true of other now coveted seafood like lobsters and crabs, which were once much larger and more abundant, before heavy fishing and an increased population of people made them more scarce and expensive.

Oyster stew sometimes includes shallots.
Oyster stew sometimes includes shallots.

The beauty of oyster stew lies in its simplicity. To make oyster stew, cooks saute 12 ounces (340 grams) of oysters in butter for just a few moments, before adding one quart (one liter) of milk, cream, or half and half and more butter. The stew is cooked over low heat for a few minutes, just until the oysters start to curl, and then it is removed from the heat and served in wide bowls, classically with oyster crackers.

Milk, which is used to make the base for oyster stew.
Milk, which is used to make the base for oyster stew.

Most people like to add a dash of salt to their oyster stew, along with cracked black pepper and sometimes paprika as well. Adventurous cooks may throw a few shallots or slivers of green onion in the saute pan with the oysters as well, and in some regions cooks may also add sliced bacon. However, too much interference with this milk-based soup is not recommended, because the goal is to allow the flavor of the oysters to shine through, and the flavor can be quickly overwhelmed with added ingredients.

Bacon can be added to oyster stew to enhance the flavor.
Bacon can be added to oyster stew to enhance the flavor.

When cooking oyster stew or any sort of stew or sauce which uses shellfish, the important thing to remember is that shellfish turns rubbery when it is overcooked. In the case of canned shellfish, the shellfish is typically cooked already, so your goal is simply to warm it. With the right amount of cooking, the oysters will be tender and flavorful; too much cooking will turn them into rubbery little pencil erasers, and pencil eraser stew is usually not a hit at the dinner table.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon294294

When I make oyster stew all I use are canned oysters, mainly because fresh oysters are just too expensive. I have a family of eight, so attempting to have enough fresh would cost me quite a bit. Canned oysters work great!

nextcorrea

I have a great oyster stew recipe Emeril Legasse made on his show one night. When I saw it all put together at the end of the episode I knew that I had to make it myself it looked so good.

It is kind of complicated but it's worth it. It is one of the richest and most satisfying stews I've ever had.

ZsaZsa56

I love oyster stew and would like to make it in my own home. Unfortunately, I live in Missouri and we do not have access to the best seafood.

I have seen a few easy oyster stew recipes but I am kind of leery. Would it be bad to use an oyster stew recipe with canned oysters? I know that some people are real purists when it comes to canned seafood. If anyone has tried to make oyster stew with canned oysters and had a good result I would love to know.

whiteplane

I used to live on the coast of Maine and there was a little restaurant close to my house that served the best seafood I have ever had. All of their stuff was great from the lobster to the fish, but their signature dish was an amazing oyster stew.

Honestly, I could have eaten a bowl of it every single day it was that good. On a cold and damp night it really hit the spot. You felt like your body temperature rose by ten degrees.

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    • Oyster stew sometimes includes shallots.
      Oyster stew sometimes includes shallots.
    • Milk, which is used to make the base for oyster stew.
      By: picsfive
      Milk, which is used to make the base for oyster stew.
    • Bacon can be added to oyster stew to enhance the flavor.
      By: sparkia
      Bacon can be added to oyster stew to enhance the flavor.
    • Oyster stew can be made with fresh or canned oysters.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Oyster stew can be made with fresh or canned oysters.