New Year's Oyster Stew Recipe

Celebrate the New Year with a bowl of warm, velvety comfort by making this classic New Year’s Oyster Stew Recipe. Brimming with briny fresh oysters and their reserved liquor, this stew delivers rich, coastal flavors enhanced by a base of buttery sautéed onion, garlic, and celery. Thickened with a light roux and simmered in a luxurious blend of whole milk and heavy cream, it’s delicately seasoned with fresh thyme, a bay leaf, and a hint of black pepper for depth. Quick to prepare in under an hour, this creamy stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or crackers for soaking up every last drop. Perfect as a cozy appetizer or the star of your holiday table, this timeless dish is sure to impress and warm every soul gathered around.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 24 pieces fresh oysters (shucked)
• 1 cup oyster liquor (reserved from shucking)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (leaves only)
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 package cracker or crusty bread (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Clean the oysters and ensure they are properly shucked, reserving the oyster liquor in a bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes to create a light roux.

Step 5

Slowly whisk in the reserved oyster liquor, followed by the whole milk and heavy cream. Continue stirring to ensure no lumps remain.

Step 6

Add the thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Gently add the oysters to the pot. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the oysters' edges curl slightly. Avoid overcooking to maintain their tender texture.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 9

Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 10

Serve hot with crackers or crusty bread on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4126.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4451.3

Total Fat 228.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 108.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 1651.8mg	0%
Sodium 6950.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 341.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.3g	0%
Total Sugars 49.5g
Protein 229.7g	0%

Vitamin D 8002.1IU	0%
Calcium 2564.9mg	0%
Iron 168.2mg	0%
Potassium 5696.1mg	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: 47.4%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 31.5%