Best Ways To Enjoy Oysters

Whether you like them fresh, stewed, or fried, oysters are a delicious seafood treat for many. Perhaps it’s the fact that they are both sweet yet salty at the same time, or maybe it’s due to the many ways you can prepare them to draw out their unique flavors. Whatever the case, here are some of the best ways people choose to prepare and enjoy their oysters.

Fresh on the Half Shell

For oyster purists, this is the way to go! The best way to truly taste an oyster in all of its glory is ice cold and fresh out of the shell. Hot sauce, mignonette, horseradish, and lemon optional!

You can shuck fresh, live oysters at home, but do use gloves and be careful when shucking oysters, as the shells can be pretty sharp. Always wash the outer shells before you open them. If this is the way you typically like to eat oysters, you may want to invest in an oyster knife. This will help you sever the oyster’s top flat side from the bottom. Detach the muscle from the shell, encouraging the juices to pool inside. Add your chosen condiment, tilt the shell to your lips, and sip the oyster and juices. If you don’t want to sip, use a small fork for oyster extraction.

Roasted/Steamed  Oysters

If slurping raw oysters isn’t appealing to you, try steaming some fresh oysters or roasting them on the grill. It only takes about three to five minutes to open up the shells. Add a sauce of your choice, or lay them on a bed of garlic and butter linguini for a hearty meal.

Broiled Oysters

Oysters Rockefeller is the first recipe that comes to mind when thinking of broiled oysters. Top broiled oysters on the half-shell with fragrant herbs, butter, and breadcrumbs. Bake or broil them briefly, then serve with fresh lemon wedges as a garnish and to taste.

Oyster Stew

If you’re in the mood for a hearty oyster stew, enjoy this dish of oysters cooked with cream, milk, sherry and aromatics. Add some oyster crackers to the side for an extra touch and enjoy on a chilly night to warm up.

Fried Oysters

Fried oysters are always a popular tasty treat, and are a staple in many seafood restaurants. Try them on a sandwich or po boy for an extra hearty meal. To make them at home, you will need to shuck the oysters first or buy them pre-shucked, bread them, and add to the deep fryer. Place cooked oysters on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Add the oysters to half a baguette with remoulade, hot sauce, and pickled slaw.