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.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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)
• 0 optional Crackers or crusty bread (to serve alongside)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly pour in the whole milk, heavy cream, and reserved oyster liquor. Stir gently to combine.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Taste the stew and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.

Step 8

Ladle the oyster stew into bowls and garnish with a light sprinkle of paprika (if using) and chopped parsley.

Step 9

Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4140.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3639.5

Total Fat 222.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 109.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g
Cholesterol 1489.1mg	0%
Sodium 8508.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 183.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 54.1g
Protein 210.6g	0%

Vitamin D 8109.4IU	0%
Calcium 2727.6mg	0%
Iron 163.3mg	0%
Potassium 5716.9mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.9%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 20.5%