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5.0 from 24 votes

Virginia Oyster Stew

Fresh oysters are a big deal on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, so a classic oyster stew recipe has become a Christmas Eve tradition in this part of the country!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people (1 cup per serving)
Calories: 288 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, at room temperature
  • ½ cup half-and-half or heavy cream, at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pint shucked oysters, liquor included
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • For garnish: chopped fresh chives, sliced green onions, or a dash of paprika

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place milk, cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a medium saucepan or soup pot. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, just until hot (about 10 minutes). Do not boil.
  2. In a separate skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add the oysters, liquor and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté until the edge of the oysters just begin to curl (2-3 minutes). Transfer the oyster mixture to the pot of milk, and cook over medium-low heat for about 2 more minutes. Do not boil.
  3. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chives or paprika, if desired.

Notes

  • Crock Pot Oyster Stew: If you're hosting a party and you'd like to have your stew on the counter for your guests to help themselves, you can prepare the stew in the slow cooker. To do so, place the milk, cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a slow cooker on HIGH for 1 ½ hours. Cook the oysters in the skillet as instructed in the recipe below, and then transfer the oyster mixture to the slow cooker. Reduce the heat to LOW and continue cooking (stirring occasionally) for about 1-2 more hours.
  • Recipe slightly adapted from the cookbook Dishing Up Virginia

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 288kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 14.2g (5%) Protein 11.9g (24%) Fat 20.3g (31%) Saturated Fat 12.1g (61%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g Monounsaturated Fat 4.3g Cholesterol 99.2mg (33%) Sodium 629.7mg (26%) Potassium 215.7mg (6%) Sugar 5.6g (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people (1 cup per serving)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 288kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 14.2g 5%
Protein 11.9g 24%
Fat 20.3g 31%
Saturated Fat 12.1g 61%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g 8%
Monounsaturated Fat 4.3g 22%
Cholesterol 99.2mg 33%
Sodium 629.7mg 26%
Potassium 215.7mg 5%
Sugar 5.6g 11%

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