Christmas Eve Oyster Stew
Celebrate the cozy warmth of the holiday season with this luxurious Christmas Eve Oyster Stew, a cherished tradition that brings refined flavors to your festive table. Made with tender, briny fresh oysters and their rich liquor, this creamy stew combines the velvety textures of whole milk and heavy cream, perfectly balanced with the subtle aromatics of sautéed onion and celery. A dusting of white pepper and a pop of fresh parsley elevate the dish, while optional paprika adds a hint of smoky color. Ready in just 45 minutes, this elegant yet simple recipe is a timeless way to mark the occasion. Serve it piping hot with crackers or crusty bread to soak up every decadent drop. Perfect for holiday entertaining, this seafood classic is sure to delight family and friends alike.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 24 pieces Fresh oysters (shucked, with liquid reserved)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 medium Yellow onion (finely diced)
- 2 stalks Celery (finely diced)
- 4 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Oyster liquor (liquid from the oysters)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon White pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- optional Crackers or crusty bread (to serve alongside)
Instructions
Rinse the shucked oysters under cold water, removing any shell fragments. Set aside the oysters and reserve 1 cup of oyster liquor for the stew.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly pour in the whole milk, heavy cream, and reserved oyster liquor. Stir gently to combine.
Season the mixture with salt and white pepper. Bring it to a gentle simmer, making sure not to allow the milk to boil (to prevent curdling). Stir occasionally.
Once the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, add the oysters to the pot. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the edges of the oysters begin to curl. This is a sign that the oysters are cooked through.
Taste the stew and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
Ladle the oyster stew into bowls and garnish with a light sprinkle of paprika (if using) and chopped parsley.
Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
626 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.9 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.5 g | 127% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 186 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 1149 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.3 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.9 g | ||
| Protein | 22.4 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 16.7 mcg | 84% | |
| Calcium | 413 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 12.1 mg | 67% | |
| Potassium | 728 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
