In the early 19th century, oysters were widely consumed by the working class. As demand for oysters increased, their supplies began to deplete, resulting in rising prices. Today, oysters are considered a high-end delicacy. Most varieties of oysters can be eaten, and many can be enjoyed raw or on the half shell. Generally, smaller oysters are best served raw, while larger varieties, like Pacific oysters, are better cooked. Oysters can be steamed, grilled, and more. In the southern United States, fried oysters are particularly popular. In this article, you will find the most common methods for cooking oysters.
Steamed Oysters
Step 1. Prepare the oysters for cooking.
Clean the outer shell of the oysters under cold running water with a brush. Discard any open or cracked shells, as these indicate a dead or unsafe oyster.
- Do not wash oysters too far in advance of eating. Washing them several hours before cooking can kill them. Chemicals such as chlorine and other toxins can alter the flavor of the oysters significantly.
Step 2. Prepare the steaming liquid.
Pour about 2 inches of water into a pot. Add half a cup of beer or a glass of wine to give the water a light flavor and aroma. Place a steaming rack or colander in the pot. Arrange the oysters on the rack or colander. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover the pot with a lid.
Step 3. Steam the oysters for about 5 minutes.
Steam the oysters for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-high and leave the oysters for 5-10 minutes (5 for medium doneness, 10 for well done). By this time, most oysters should have opened. Discard any that remain closed.
Step 4. You can also steam oysters using a grill pan.
You can also steam oysters using a grill pan. Arrange the oysters evenly in the grill pan and add a small amount of water. Turn the heat to medium, cover the grill, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
- Oysters are ready when their shells have opened. Discard any that remain closed.
Grilled Oysters
Step 1. Prepare the oysters for cooking.
Clean the outer shell of the oysters under cold running water with a brush. Discard any open or cracked shells. Let the oysters sit in water for a short while, then remove and let the water drain.
Step 2. Prepare the grill.
You can use either a gas grill or charcoal. Place the oysters flat side down on the grill.
Step 3. Decide whether to cook the oysters whole or on the half shell.
Decide whether you want to cook the oysters whole or on the half shell. This depends on how you want to eat them: adding seasonings beforehand or just before serving. If you want to add seasonings in advance, you will need to shuck the shells. If you prefer to add them before eating or not at all, cook them whole.
- How to shuck oysters? Wrap the top of the oyster in a towel or wear thick gloves for protection. Insert an oyster knife into the hinge at the back of the oyster. Twist the oyster knife, making a motion with your wrist as if you are turning a car ignition key. Slide the knife along the shell edge to the top of the mollusk and twist the knife to open the shell. Remove the top shell and release the oyster from the shell using the knife.
Step 4. Prepare the topping for half-shell oysters (optional).
Prepare the topping for half-shell oysters (optional). Oysters are delicious raw or cooked in brine, but toppings can enhance their flavor. Choose toppings to your taste. For inspiration, try the following:
- Garlic butter
- Soy sauce butter
- Butter, shallots, fresh parsley, cheese (Pecorino), cayenne pepper, paprika
- Barbecue sauce
Step 5. Cook the oysters.
Close the grill lid for 5-6 minutes. Open the lid and check the oysters. The doneness of the mollusks will vary depending on how you cook them:
- Whole oysters should open. At first, you may only see a small gap. Inside, you should see bubbling oyster juice. Discard any oysters that do not open after 5-10 minutes of cooking.
- Half-shell oysters need to be checked before and after shucking to ensure they are edible. If an oyster opens before you attempt to shuck it, or if it offers no resistance upon opening, discard it. Half-shell oysters will slightly contract, and their juices will bubble and aid in cooking for 5-10 minutes.
Step 6. Carefully remove the cooked oysters to retain the juice.
Remove the cooked oysters very carefully to retain the juice. Serve with melted butter, lemon, or as is.
Fried Oysters
Step 1. Prepare the fryer.
Heat the fryer to 190 °C (375 °F).
Step 2. Shuck the oysters.
Wrap the top of the oyster in a towel and carefully insert the oyster knife into the hinge at the back of the oyster. Twist the knife to widen the opening. Slide the knife along the shell edge to the top of the mollusk and twist the knife to open the shell. Insert the knife under the oyster and cut it away from the shell.
Step 3. Coat the oysters for frying.
Mix flour, salt, and black pepper. Lightly beat 2 eggs in a separate bowl. Drain the liquid from 350 grams of shucked oysters and dip them in the egg mixture. Then coat in the dry mixture. Ensure the oysters are evenly and thoroughly coated, removing any excess flour.
Step 4. Fry the oysters.
Fry the oysters, placing 5-6 at a time in the fryer. Cook for about 2 minutes until they are golden brown.
Step 5. Serve hot.
Serve hot. Enjoy your meal!
Traditional Roasted Oysters
Step 1. Thoroughly wash the oysters.
Put on gloves to avoid scratching your hands with the rough shell while cleaning them. Wash the oysters in a place where dirty water will cause no harm.
- Again, wash the oysters right before cooking. If you wash them in advance, it can kill them, making them inedible.
- Oysters are often washed before sale, but it does not hurt to do it again. Better safe than sorry.
Step 2. Start a fire that matches the size of a sheet of metal.
To cook oysters traditionally, you need a good fire and a large piece of sheet metal. If you don’t have that, you can use a metal grate (just ensure the oysters don’t fall through the holes).
- Place four cinder blocks around the fire. They should be positioned to hold a piece of sheet metal over the fire.
- Once the fire starts to die down, place the sheet of metal on the cinder blocks and wait for it to heat up (make sure to wash it first). If you drop water on the metal surface and it sizzles, you can start cooking.
Step 3. Lay the oysters in a single layer on the metal sheet.
Arrange the oysters on the metal sheet in a single layer. Make sure you have enough oysters. Estimate about 6-16 oysters per person.
Step 4. Cover the oysters with a wet burlap sack or a wet beach towel and wait for the oysters to finish cooking.
Cover the oysters with a wet burlap sack or a wet beach towel and wait for them to cook. A burlap sack works better for this than a towel, but either will do.
- It will take about 8-10 minutes for one batch of oysters to cook. If you prefer less cooked oysters, fry them for 8 minutes. If you want them well-cooked, leave them under the burlap sack for a couple more minutes.
- Discard any oysters that do not open within 10 minutes.
Step 5. While you wait for your sheet of metal to heat up again, share the first batch of oysters with friends.
While waiting for your sheet of metal to heat up, share the first batch of oysters with friends. The metal will need a few minutes to heat up well. Repeat the process once the sheet of metal is heated again.
