Fresh Oyster Stew Recipe: How to Make Oyster Stew
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Dec 30, 2023 • 1 min read
Learn how to make oyster stew by cooking fresh oysters in aromatics and cream.
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What Is Oyster Stew?
Oyster stew is a dish consisting of oysters cooked with aromatics, milk, cream, and sometimes sherry. Oyster stew is typically served with tiny crackers known as oyster crackers, which may have been named after the stew. If you like clam chowder, you'll love oyster stew.
Origins of Oyster Stew
Indigenous peoples of the United States stewed oysters in precolonial times, and in the 1600s, colonists in Virginia harvested and cooked oysters. Oysters became especially popular in the United States during the nineteenth century, which is probably when the modern oyster stew—rich with heavy cream or milk and flavored with sherry—originated. Today oyster stew is popular in the South and in the Chesapeake Bay region. The tradition of eating oyster stew on Christmas Eve began with Irish immigrants.
Fresh Oyster Stew Recipe
makes
prep time
1 hrtotal time
1 hr 35 mincook time
35 minIngredients
- 1
Shuck the oysters, reserving the oyster liquid.
- 2
Refrigerate the oysters until ready to use.
- 3
In a large pot over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil.
- 4
Add the onion to the pot and sauté over medium heat until translucent, about 6 minutes.
- 5
Add the garlic and celery and continue to sauté until celery is translucent, about 4 minutes.
- 6
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the flour and the milk and whisk until smooth.
- 7
Add the flour mixture to the pot and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
- 8
Simmer until the mixture has thickened and no longer tastes like raw flour.
- 9
Add the black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, sherry, and reserved bacon, and simmer until the bacon is warm and the flavors come together, about 5 minutes.
- 10
Add the reserved oyster juice and cream and season to taste with hot sauce and salt.
- 11
Add the reserved shucked oysters and butter, and simmer while stirring constantly until the butter is incorporated and the oysters are cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- 12
To serve, ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with chopped herbs and oyster crackers.
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