Oyster Stew Recipe
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Oyster Stew is the perfect thing to knock the chill off on a cold day.
On a chilly day before lunch hits, I start craving a warm bowl of something. Soup, stew, chili … they are all just fine with me! One of our favorites is Oyster Stew. Oyster Stew has been something that both Randy and I grew up eating. If it was during a month with an “R” in it, then it was prime time for Oyster Stew.
If you’ve never had Oyster Stew, there’s nothing quite like it. Although our kids have yet to acquire the taste, Randy and I still enjoy it a couple of times a year, especially during the holidays.
Oyster Stew is easy to prepare, and pretty quick too. Being watchful to not allow the milk to come to a simmer, and not overcooking the oysters is about as difficult as it gets. This is easy cooking, y’all. I promise! So, what are you waiting for? Go get cooking and warm up to a bowl of this scrumptious soup.
Ingredients for Oyster Stew
- butter
- diced onion
- garlic cloves
- ground red pepper
- paprika
- salt
- ground black pepper
- whole milk or half and half
- dried parsley
- fresh raw oysters
How to Make Oyster Stew
- Begin by melting butter over medium heat in heavy bottom 3-quart saucepan.
- Once butter has melted, add diced onion. Saute the onion for about 5 minutes, until tender.
- Add garlic, and continue to saute onions and garlic for another 1-2 minutes. Be careful to not burn the garlic.
- Stir in the ground red pepper, paprika, salt, black pepper and continue to stir to toast the seasonings for about 1 minute.
- Drain oysters and reserve liquid (oyster liqueur).
- Reduce heat to low, add milk, parsley and oyster liqueur.
- Cook over low heat until mixture is hot and beginning to steam, and bubbles just start to appear around the edge. Do NOT allow to come to a boil.
- Add oysters and continue to cook over low heat until oysters begin to curl on edges.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
A few Oyster Stew Recipe tips:
- I have found some Oyster Stews to be bland. This Oyster Stew recipe is well-seasoned. If spiciness is a concern, adjust accordingly.
- A double boiler is helpful in avoiding scorching the milk, but it isn’t totally necessary. The most important thing is to be mindful while waiting for the milk to heat up. Don’t wander off and decide to start re-caulking your bathroom or change the oil in your car while you wait for it to slowly heat up. Just be patient. Once the milk has been added it should only take about 15 minutes or so on a low temp for it to begin to show bubbles around the edges.
- Fresh shucked oysters are the best. The rule of thumb is that fresh oysters are best in the United States during the months that contain an “R.”
- If fresh shucked oysters are not an option, look for shucked oysters that are NOT smoked and have been packed in water.
- Shucked oysters can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. So grab a couple of pints when you find them fresh and at a good price to enjoy at a later date.
Check out these delicious soup recipes:
- Coconut Chicken Soup Recipe
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Oyster Stew Recipe
Oyster Stew Recipe
This savory oyster stew is the perfect food for a cold night.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 cups whole milk or half and half
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 16 ounces fresh raw oysters, undrained
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium heat in heavy bottom 3-quart saucepan.
- Add diced onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add in garlic, continue to saute for another 1-2 minutes, being watchful to not burn garlic.
- Stir in ground red pepper, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue to stir for about 1 minute to toast the seasonings.
- Drain oysters and reserve liquid (oyster liqueur).
- Reduce heat to low, add milk, parsley and oyster liqueur.
- Cook over low heat until mixture is hot and beginning to steam, and bubbles just start to appear around the edge. Do NOT allow to come to a boil.
- Add oysters and continue to cook over low heat for just a few minutes until oysters begin to curl on edges.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm. Enjoy!
I used left over salmon and walleye with some fresh spinach. I also added celery. It was very good. will make again.
I’m hoping someone can help me with this. Perhaps I missed something in the recipe… Why am I saving the oyster juice? Is it used at some point? I was expecting to maybe add it in at the end but I don’t see any further instruction about it. Please help!
See step #6.
I don’t understand about reserving the liquid – – it doesn’t say what to do with it?
Step #6 states to add the oyster liquid (liqueur) along with the milk and parsley.
DELICIOUS 😋
I adjusted my liquids:
1 cup Milk
2 Cups Half n Half
1/4 cup of Veggie Broth (as needed to thin)
1 Large potatoe diced small
All other ingredients the same.
Of course season more or less as you wish
This recipe is a KEEPER
So happy I found it/you THANK YOU!!🙏🏽
I followed the recipe but I did add celery to give it a little more texture….it is an AMAZING stew
this stew is my all time favorite..no matter what base u use these ingredients are great together. I like to add other seafood also. always a winner and an acquired taste..
This is delicious and brings back a childhood memory for me. If I had to stay home from school sick, my dad would make this for lunch because he and I were the only ones that liked it. Ours was simply oysters, oyster liquor, butter and milk. Your recipe improves what I had considered perfection.
OMG! I made it.It was simple yet so delicious and satisfying. My family loved it.
Will definitely be making it again.
Please explain “red pepper.”
That is not very clear, is it? It should read “ground red pepper” which typically refers to ground cayenne or ground chili peppers. I published that recipe years ago and no one ever pointed that out to me. Thank you bunches! Edited the recipe to read “ground red pepper.”