How to Eat Oysters

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Oysters are considered a great delicacy in many parts of the world. They're not only a healthy and sustainable seafood option, but they also make a delicious and elegant meal. If you've never had oysters before, you may be a little intimidated about the prospect of eating them for the first time. However, by simply knowing how to buy fresh oysters, open the shells , and eat them properly, you can be enjoying oysters in no time!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Consuming Oysters Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. The oyster will need to be loosely sitting in the shell before you can slurp it and eat it. To detach it, hold the shell with your non-dominant hand and use your other hand to apply gentle pressure to the oyster until it's no longer attached to the shell. [1]
    • Alternatively, if you're embarrassed about slurping the oyster, it's also acceptable to spear it with your fork and eat it that way.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    If you don't think you'll like the taste of raw oyster, you can squeeze some lemon juice onto your oyster for flavoring, or spoon a sauce such as shallot vinegar onto it. Of course, if you like salty, buttery tastes, you can also simply eat it as is! [2]
    • Other traditional condiments served with oysters include grated horseradish, cocktail sauce, wasabi, and mignonette.
    Advertisement
  3. The liquid in the shell, called the “oyster liquid,” is what gives the oyster much of its flavor. Hold the shell so that the smooth edge is facing towards you to make it easier to eat the oyster. [3]
  4. Some people like to give the oyster a light chew, while others prefer to simply swallow it whole. Both methods are acceptable, although some will argue that chewing the oyster as you eat it allows you to experience more of its flavor. [4]
    • Don't be embarrassed about slurping the oyster; this is also perfectly acceptable!
    • If the oyster doesn't slide into your mouth, this probably means it's still attached to the shell. Set the oyster back down and use a fork to gently detach it before going to slurp it again.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    A good oyster should look opaque and meaty, rather than translucent and little. It should also have a salty ocean scent. If it has a strong, fishy odor, it's probably bad. [5]
    • If you suspect your oysters are bad, ask your waiter if they can be replaced. It's not worth it to potentially eat bad oysters.
    • You should discard oysters whose shells have opened because they've died in storage.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Buying Fresh Oysters

PDF download Download Article
  1. Visit local fish markets to buy the freshest oysters . Oysters that are sold at supermarkets have usually been out of the water for a few weeks, meaning they're not as fresh. A local fishmonger or farmer's market with a high turnover rate will be your best bet for finding the freshest oysters for sale. [6]
    • If you do buy your oysters from a supermarket, ask the person at the fish counter how long ago the oysters were delivered to know how relatively fresh they are.
    • Some fishmongers also offer to deliver oysters directly to your door. Look online to see if there are any providers in your area who offer overnight oyster deliveries.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    Since dead oysters can harbor dangerous bacteria, you should only buy and eat oysters that are still alive. Live oysters will either have a closed shell or snap their shell shut when you touch them. [7]
    • When live oysters are refrigerated, they may be a bit slow to respond to taps on their shells. Wait a few minutes to see if the shell fully closes before immediately tossing out the oyster.
  3. Good oysters should smell like the sea, with a mild, salty scent. Before buying a large number of oysters, have the provider open 1 in front of you and give it a smell test. If it has a strong or unpleasant odor, move on to a different bunch of oysters. [8]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning and Opening Whole Oysters

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    If necessary, use a scrub brush or an old toothbrush to scrub off any mud or debris on the shell. Make sure you've gotten the oysters fully cleaned before opening and eating them. [9]
    • If possible, put the oysters in a colander while you're washing them and put crushed ice on top of them. This will keep the oysters even colder and fresher while you clean them.
    • You can also arrange them in a single layer and hose off that single layer before shucking them.
  2. Put on a pair of oyster gloves to protect your hands and hold the oyster shell in your non-dominant hand. Then, use your dominant hand to insert the knife into the small hole where the top and bottom shells come together. Wiggle the knife and push it all the way inside the shell to break the hinge. [10]
    • For maximum safety, use an oyster knife that has a hand guard attached to it.
    • If you don't have an oyster knife, use a short knife with a strong, blunt blade.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    Angle the knife upwards as you push it in, then twist it until the shells snap apart. Run the knife back and forth so that you cut the muscle that holds the top and bottom shells together. [11]
    • The shell will be very tightly closed as you do this; use a firm grip when handling the knife to make sure it doesn't slip away from you.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Eat Oysters
    Keep the bottom shell flat as you remove the top shell so that you don't spill any of the oyster juices inside. Then, cut the abductor muscle holding the oyster onto the bottom shell so that it is lying loose on the shell, ready for serving. [12]
    • The abductor muscle is the last bit of tissue on the bottom of the oyster still connected to the shell. Slide the knife back and forth underneath the oyster to cut it.
    • Open the oyster over a bowl or sink, just in case you do accidentally spill some of the juices inside the shell.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is the oyster then chewed before swallowing?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Usually. You want to release the flavor and taste it. Swallowing it whole is, like a pill, tasteless.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
  • Question
    Are oysters eaten when they are alive?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Yes and no. If you're going to eat oysters raw, they need to be alive at the time you open the shell. Once the shell is opened, though, the oyster is no longer alive. You've effectively killed it. As with many crustaceans and shellfish, oysters will start to decompose very, very rapidly and become inedible within a matter of hours.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
  • Question
    How much Oyster can I eat in a day?
    Community Answer
    Uncooked seafood, as in raw oysters, always has a slight risk of some kind of contamination. A fried oyster is much safer. Eat your fill.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 12
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • When you're out buying oysters, go straight home after you buy them so that you can put them in the refrigerator as soon as possible and prevent them from going bad.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • While oysters are very healthy, the downside is that they're often expensive. However, if you live near a reef, you can go out to harvest your own oysters for free. Just make sure you get a shellfish license first and that you follow all harvesting regulations.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Oyster glove
      • Oyster knife

      You Might Also Like

      Is Your Fish Good to Eat? Signs of Spoilage & Storage Tips
      How to
      Eat Mussels
      Easy Ways to Store Mussels in the Refrigerator & Freezer
      The Best Methods to Cook Frozen Sea or Bay Scallops
      How to
      Clean/Gut a Fish
      How to
      Cook Smoked Haddock
      How to
      Eat Sea Urchins
      The Best Ways to Cook Catfish
      How to
      Store Fresh Oysters
      3 Delicious Ways to Cook Wahoo (Ono)
      How to
      Cook Fish Roe
      The Best Way to Peel and Eat Boiled Crawfish
      How to
      Clean Octopus
      How to
      Poach Fish in Milk
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners/dinner_etiquette/seafood/oysters.html
      2. ↑ https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/02/the-right-way-to-eat-a-raw-oyster
      3. ↑ http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/06/30/how-to-clean-and-shuck-oysters/
      4. ↑ https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/02/the-right-way-to-eat-a-raw-oyster
      5. ↑ https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/02/the-right-way-to-eat-a-raw-oyster
      6. ↑ https://guide.michelin.com/hk/en/hong-kong-macau/dining-in/how-to-buy-and-store-oysters/news
      7. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-oysters-like-a-pro-article
      8. ↑ https://guide.michelin.com/hk/en/hong-kong-macau/dining-in/how-to-buy-and-store-oysters/news
      9. ↑ https://www.formerchef.com/2013/02/09/oysters-part-2-how-to-buy-clean-and-open-raw-oysters/
      1. ↑ http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/06/30/how-to-clean-and-shuck-oysters/
      2. ↑ https://www.helpwithcooking.com/seafood-shellfish/oysters.html
      3. ↑ https://www.helpwithcooking.com/seafood-shellfish/oysters.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To eat oysters, start by detaching a raw oyster from its shell using a fork, leaving the oyster in the shell when you're finished. Then, keeping the oyster shell flat so you don't spill the juices, bring the shell to your mouth and tip it up so the oyster slides into your mouth. Once it's in your mouth, simply swallow it whole, or you can try chewing it a bit to experience more of the flavor. If you're not a fan of the taste, try garnishing oysters before you slurp them with things like lemon juice, horseradish, wasabi, or cocktail sauce. To learn how to clean and open whole oysters, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 168,501 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Aug 10, 2016

        "Pictures speak a thousand words."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement