Oyster Dressing Recipe, Oyster Stuffing Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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This is the dressing of oyster lover dreams! The oyster nectar makes the dressing so moist and flavorful. What’s not to love about a dressing that includes fresh oysters? Oyster Dressing can often be one of the best parts of a Thanksgiving dinner. This dressing must be served as a side dish and not as a turkey stuffing in the turkey.

This recipe was shared with me by Doc Lawrence and his Sips Across America columns. The recipe is by Chef Josh Butler, Executive Chef at the Florida Governor’s Mansion in Tallassee, FL.

Oyster Dressing Recipe, Oyster Stuffing Recipe, Whats Cooking America (1)Photo Credit: Matthew Mead, The Associated Press

LearnHow To Shuck Oysters.

Pleasecheck out my Thanksgiving Turkey dinner menu which includes Grandma’s Oyster Dressing.

History of Oyster Dressing:

Oyster dressing is a favorite of New Englanders that dates back to the 18th century in America as oysters were predominantly found along the eastern coast of North America. Oysters had been used with or without bread crumbs for stuffing poultry or fish over 335 years. The tradition of oyster dressing was brought over from British colonists that settled in America. In Britain, oysters were added to stuffing that was more traditionally used in fowl (chicken), fish, calves he ad, leg of mutton, hares (rabbit) and pigs.

Oysters used to be more plentiful and the most commonly eaten shellfish in America. They were cheap and plentiful enough for the working class to afford. Many early American cooks stuffed their turkeys and chicken with oysters since it was an inexpensive source of protein. Turkeys were very expensive and adding the oysters helped ensure there was enough protein to feed a large group. As the express wagons and railroads made it more possible to transport goods in the mid-19th century, the oyster market was able to expand and set off a national oyster addiction. Fresh, raw oysters were commonly served in taverns as oysters were a cheap food to serve with beer and liquor. By 1850, every major town in America had an Oyster saloon also known as oyster bars, oyster house or raw bar.

1685 – Earliest cookbook reference: The Accomplisht Cook, London, Sauce with Oysters and Bacon, The oysters were cooked and mixed with spices and herbs stuffed in the pullets belly and roasted.

1796 – American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, Meats – To smother a Fowl in Oysters: “Gill the bird with dry oysters, and sew up and boil in water just sufficient to cover the bird, salt and season to your taste – when done tender, put it into a deep dish and pour over it a pint of stewed oysters, well buttered and peppered, garnish a turkey with sprigs of parsley or leaves of celery: a fowl is best with a parsley sauce

1832 – The Cook’s Own Book: Being A Complete Culinary Encyclopedia, by A Boston Housekeeper. Chicken Stuffing recipe – “Fill your chickens with young oysters cut small, truffles, parsley and spices and roast them.”

1880 – Miss Parloa’s New Cook Book and Marketing Guide by Maria Parloa – Boiled Turkey – “Chop half a head of celery very fine. Mix with it one quart of bread crumbs, two scant table-spoonfuls of salt, half a teaspoonful of pepper, two heaping table-spoonfuls of butter and two eggs. Stuff the turkey with this; sew up and truss. The stuffing may be made the same as above, only substitute oysters for celery, and serve with oyster sauce.”

References:
The Washington Post, Food Section – A Short Course On the History of 8 Thanksgiving Foods, by Amanda Moniz, November 22, 2013
New England Recipes, Oyster Stuffing History.
Wikipedia, Oyster bar.
Oysters: A Culinary Celebration, by Joan Reardon, 2004, Guilford, Conn, Lyons Press.
Historic Columbus Taverns: The Capital City’s Most Storied Saloons by Tom Betti and Doreen Uhas Sauer, 2012, Charleston, SC, History Press

Oyster Dressing Recipe, Oyster Stuffing Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2)

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Grandma's Oyster Dressing Recipe:

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Keyword:Grandma's Oyster Dressing Recipe

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

  • 4tablespoonsbutter,divided
  • 1cuponion,chopped
  • 4green onions,chopped
  • 2stalkscelery,chopped
  • Pinchcayenne pepper
  • 3cupsCornbread,crumbled (either homemade or store bought)
  • 3cupsbread crumbs,small dice*
  • 1/2cup freshparsley,minced
  • Saltand freshly-ground pepper to taste
  • 2largeeggs,lightly beaten
  • 1pint fresh liveoystersshucked and drained (reserve 1/2 cup oyster liquid)**

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  2. Lightly butter a large rectangular baking pan.

  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Saute onions and celery in the butter until tender; remove from heat an add a small pinch of cayenne and let cool.

  4. Combine cornbread and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Gently fold in sauteed onions, salt, pepper, and parsley.

  5. Add beaten eggs and toss more; moisten with the reserved oyster liquid until moist but not soggy. Gently stir in the oysters.

  6. Pat the mixture into the prepared baking pan (it should make a 1-inch layer in the pan).

  7. Dot with remaining butter and bake about 45 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.

Recipe Notes

* Check outMaking Homemade Bread Crumbs

**Lean How To Shuck Oysters

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Categories:

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Comments and Reviews

Oyster Dressing Recipe, Oyster Stuffing Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

Where is oyster dressing popular in America? ›

For many families, especially in the southern states, Oyster Casserole is a holiday tradition to serve on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is guaranteed to perk up your holiday mean.

Why do people put oysters in stuffing? ›

Why It Works. Oysters add a savory, briny flavor to the stuffing without making it overly seafood-y. Drying the bread allows it to absorb more flavorful moisture, like chicken stock and oyster liquor. Fennel and tarragon blend beautifully with the oysters.

What temperature should dressing be cooked at? ›

Cook until the center of the dressing reaches 165 degrees. When checked with a food thermometer. Never place frozen dressing or other frozen food in a slow cooker, it will not reach proper safe temperature fast enough.

What is stuffing called outside the turkey? ›

So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

What is America's favorite dressing? ›

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

What is dressing in USA? ›

Stuffing and dressing are commonly used as different names for the same thing—a dish consisting of bits of bread (or other starchy things) and various seasonings. The dish can be made by stuffing it (hence the name) inside a turkey or other bird that will be roasted, or by baking or cooking it separately.

Why do oysters turn you on? ›

Oysters also contain D-aspartic acid, which is an amino acid that may have a role in boosting testosterone production. As such, it may play a similar role as zinc in boosting sexual arousal.

How are oysters killed before you eat them? ›

Oysters probably die when the meat is separated from the shell—because the oyster's heart is right next to the bottom abductor muscle. That would mean that they aren't technically still alive when you swallow them.

Why do they say not to chew oysters? ›

We're often asked, “Are you supposed to chew oysters?” and we're here to tell you that despite what you may have heard, it's not recommended to swallow an oyster whole. Biting into the oyster allows flavorful juices to escape and enhances the overall savoring experience.

Why does stuffing need to be 165 degrees? ›

Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness. Even if the meat itself has reached this temperature, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature in all areas sufficient to destroy foodborne bacteria.

How do I know if stuffing is done? ›

Also, you'll need a food thermometer for determining when stuffing is safely cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Use this temperature as a guide, whether you serve stuffing separately in a casserole dish or stuffed into poultry or meat.

How wet should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Do they have stuffing in America? ›

Variations abound, and they venture well beyond the choice of breads — white, corn or Pepperidge Farm — and even beyond such decisions as whether to add oysters or giblets. Americans can't even agree on a name or preparation: Some call it stuffing and bake it inside the turkey (except when they don't).

Why do Americans call stuffing dressing? ›

The term dressing, per the History Channel, originated around the 1850s, when the Victorians deemed stuffing too crude for the dish to be named. This happened around the same time that the term “dark meat” began to refer to chicken legs and thighs.

Is stuffing unhealthy? ›

It probably comes as no surprise that stuffing isn't the healthiest addition to your Christmas or Thanksgiving plate, but that's no reason to omit it. Typically high in fat, carbs and salt, stuffing can be made fresh or purchased chilled, frozen or dehydrated.

Where is oyster sauce used? ›

Oyster sauce adds a savory flavor to many meat and vegetable dishes. The sauce is a staple for much Chinese family-style cooking. It is commonly used in noodle stir-fries, such as chow mein. It is also found in popular Chinese-American dishes such as beef with stir-fried vegetables.

Which region of the US prefers stuffing? ›

Much of the Northeast, including New York, prefers stuffing. However, states like California, Oregon and Washington prefer mashed potatoes.

What culture uses oyster sauce? ›

Oyster sauce is a thick, savory condiment common in Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay and Khmer cuisine that's made by cooking oysters. Traditionally, oysters are slowly simmered in water until the liquid caramelizes into a viscous, dark black-brown sauce.

Where is the oyster Capital of the US? ›

South Bend, Washington

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