Canned oysters are delicious eaten straight from the can, dipped in tartar sauce. But today we're going to go the extra mile and transform this simple ingredient into a superstar dish that'll impress!We've compiled five canned oyster recipesthat are all simple to prepare but the end result will dazzle your friends and family!
Keep in mind that there are two common types of canned oysters: smoked or natural. Depending on what you're cooking, you may prefer the natural option so that the flavor isn't too overwhelming in the dish. In saying that, a nice smoked oyster will work wonders in a paella!
Table of Contents
- 5 canned oyster recipes
- Quick Tip
- Common types of oysters
- A quick video about oysters
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 canned oyster recipes
1. Seafood pasta
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Oysters combined with a creamy pasta, prawns and fish makes a "restaurant quality" looking meal. No-one needs to know anything has come from a can.
For bonus points, toss in a handful of octopus and any mild flavored white fish. A sprinkling of caviar is another tasty garnish you can add before serving.
2. Korean oyster broth
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A delicious salty broth filled with umami flavor and surprisingly nutritious. An exotic starter made from budget ingredients - perfect!
The amount of kelp you choose to use comes down to personal preference. Feel free to reduce the kelp for less salt and umami flavor.
3. Paella
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Create an exciting dish that's packed with flavor, heat and color. The best part about this paella is that it's simple and everything is made in one large pan meaning less dishes to wash afterwards.
With this recipe, it has mussels and shrimp added. For a more "budget conscious" meal simply remove the shrimp and mussels. A cheaper option you could add is chicken.
4. Oyster stew
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This stew is a little different from some of the traditional beef stews that have a thick gravy and lots of vegetables. This dish is close to a soup texture but the milkiness combines beautifully with the milk.
5. Oyster chowder
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We've all heard of clam chowder. A thick, creamy soup that is packed with seafood flavor. Did you know that oysters also make an excellent addition to chowder?
The best part about this recipe is that using canned oysters means there is no seafood preparation involved. Simply, open the can and toss in those tasty morsels.
Quick Tip
While cooking most ingredients will improve their flavor, oysters do not benefit from prolonged cooking or excessive heat. It is best, in most cases, to add the oysters towards the end of the cooking process to avoid turning them rubbery and tasteless.
Common types of oysters
Pacific
Pacific oysters have a varied flavor depending on where they are cultivated around the world. They will often have a less salty taste than most other common oyster types.
European
An over-fished type of oyster that is, generally, only found in Europe. European oysters are mild in flavor with a distinctive texture that is borderline crunchy.
Atlantic
The Atlantic oyster is farmed in the U.S. and have a salty, savory flavor with a unique, crisp texture.
Kumamoto
A small oyster that originates from Japan; they're the mildest in flavor with a soft texture. Kumamoto oysters are now commonly found all over the world.
A quick video about oysters
Frequently Asked Questions
Are canned oysters cooked or raw?
Canned oysters are cooked and can be eaten directly from the can. They are commonly smoked or boiled then canned in olive oil or cottonseed oil.
Are canned oysters healthy?
One cup of canned oysters offers around 17.5 grams of protein and 169 calories. However, fresh oysters are a healthier option with few calories and a higher calcium component.
Are oysters an aphrodisiac?
There is no conclusive evidence to support this myth. Oysters do contain zinc, aspartic and NMDA which help create sex hormones; however, consuming an excess of zinc can have the opposite effect and dampen the libido.
How long to canned oysters last?
If you store canned oysters, unopened in a cool dry area they will last three years. Once opened, they should be stored, in the refrigerator, in an airtight container and are best consumed within three days.
Do you chew oysters?
It comes down to personal preference whether to chew oysters or swallow them whole. By chewing the oyster, it allows the taste receptors on your tongue to further sense the delicate flavors of this seafood.
FAQs
Canned oysters go great as a dip (chopped up with chives and cream cheese), or mixed into pasta (with lemon and butter and parsley). Put them on a pizza, or bake them into a savory pie, or fold them into an omelette. You can do almost anything with smoked oysters that you do with any seafood.
Should you rinse canned oysters? ›
Preparing the Oysters
The first step in cooking canned oysters is to drain and rinse them thoroughly. This helps remove any excess brine or liquor from the can.
Can you eat canned oysters right out of the can? ›
Canned oysters are a popular seafood option for many individuals. They can be used in various dishes, including soups, stews, and even eaten straight out of the can.
How many canned oysters should you eat? ›
Like with any type of food, it's still best to enjoy oysters in moderation and include them in a balanced diet. Most experts recommend eating no more than a dozen oysters a day. As you now know, oysters are a great source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, like zinc.
What can I do with unopened oysters? ›
Second, there are five things that can be done with unshucked oysters.
- Shuck or open them fresh.
- Bake them in the oven, ready to eat.
- Barbecue them, ready to eat.
- Steam them open, ready to eat.
- Steam them open partially cooked then finish by preparing by stewing, frying, etc.
Canned versions are pre-cooked, so they don't need to simmer in the stew pot in the same way that raw, fresh oysters do. Seafood is notoriously delicate and cooking those already-cooked crustaceans too aggressively can cause them to lose their tenderness and become rubbery.
What kind of sauce goes with oysters? ›
Mignonette is a classic sauce for serving with oysters. A classic, proper one is made with just red wine vinegar and eschalots (called shallots in the US). No messing around with oil, no sugar, no salt. It's meant to be clear and pink and pure, not sweet, oily and brown.
What is the green stuff in canned oysters? ›
Green or blue or brown colouring is usually filtered matter - it's what they've been eating. Green is supposedly the most highly prized for taste. The green-coloured organ in the interior of bivalve molluscs (oysters, mussels, clams, scallops) is the hepatopancreas.
Can you eat whole oysters out of the can? ›
Canned oysters are either smoked or boiled, then packed in oil or water. These variables affect the taste, but canned oysters are generally salty and only slightly fishy, easy to bite into and not slimy at all — unlike their raw counterparts. They're fully cooked and safe to eat right out of the can.
How do you eat canned oysters at home? ›
Honestly, however you want. Think of them like any other tinned fish, like sardines or clams. Canned oysters go great as a dip (chopped up with chives and cream cheese), or mixed into pasta (with lemon and butter and parsley). Put them on a pizza, or bake them into a savory pie, or fold them into an omelette.
Fried canned oysters strike the perfect balance of these requirements. The recent tinned fish fad taking over social media has led to new, creative ways to use this ready-made ingredient. You can transform canned oysters with a simple deep fry. This creates addictive, salty bites perfect to serve with your next meal.
Do canned oysters taste good? ›
The best canned oysters are plump, firm, smoky, and briny. They are good for chowder, dips, stuffing, and eating on their own, speared onto a toothpick. They aren't too fishy and they don't taste like a straight-up campfire.
How healthy are canned oysters? ›
Canned oysters are a great source of various micronutrients necessary to keep our vital organs and immune system functioning properly. For instance, 1 cup of drained, canned oysters is rich in vitamin B12, containing over 1,400 percent of our daily recommended intake.
How long do canned oysters last in the fridge? ›
On average, Wandering Waders Jarred Oysters will last about 2 weeks when properly refrigerated and unopened. Once opened, they're good for about a week. The easiest way to tell if they're still fresh is to give them a smell, just like milk.
How long do canned raw oysters last? ›
How long is an unopened jar good for? Your oysters are fresh shucked the day they are jarred. The seal of the jar is stamped with an 'eat by' date. On average, the oysters are good for 3 weeks from the shucking date.
Can you eat raw oysters out of a can? ›
Fresh oysters are often eaten raw, but the ones in the cans (or jars) are certainly not going to taste the same as the ones that have just been shucked. They're not necessarily dangerous to consume, but it's probably best to save them for cooking.
Can you use canned oysters for frying? ›
Canned oysters come in a thick liquid that isn't necessary for frying, so be sure to drain them and give them a thorough rinse before using. You can discard the liquid or save and freeze it to thicken seafood stock. —Pat the oysters super-dry.
Written by Nate Teague · Updated on 
