Servings
Font
Back
4.4 from 279 votes

Oyster Stew

Rich, creamy, and full of wonderful seafood flavor, Oyster Stew is easy to make and comes together quickly. It's perfect for a special holiday dinner (it's our Christmas Eve tradition!) but simple enough to whip up anytime.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 324 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pint fresh raw oysters (shucked), with their juice
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 large clove garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • a few dashes hot pepper sauce (We like Frank's Redhot)
  • 1 quart whole milk
  • Freshly ground black pepper, optional
  • minced fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Drain oysters and reserve their liquid. If the reserved liquid is gritty, strain it through a double layer of cheese cloth.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium to medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the top and whisk to incorporate. Then whisk in salt, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce. Cook for 1 minute, whisking gently all the while.
  3. Whisk in reserved oyster juice. Then slowly add milk, whisking constantly to incorporate. Cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring regularly, until mixture is steaming and bubbles just start to appear around the edge of the saucepan. Do not let mixture come to a boil. Turn heat down to low, and let cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Add oysters and cook for 2 more minutes, or until oysters start to curl. Taste test and add a bit more salt if you like. Black pepper and fresh chopped parsley are optional.
  5. We like to eat oyster stew with oyster crackers. Saltines are also good.

Notes

  • Note: Fresh shucked oysters are always the preferred choice for oyster stew. Otherwise look for shucked oysters (not smoked) packed in water. The third best choice would be canned or jarred oysters - just know that their flavor and texture is not nearly as good as fresh oysters.
  • From Mom's recipe box, originally from her mom.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 324kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 112mg (37%) Sodium 478mg (20%) Sugar 13g (26%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 324

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 324kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Cholesterol 112mg 37%
Sodium 478mg 20%
Sugar 13g 26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.