The old rule says you should only eat oysters during months with an “r” in the name. That advice has been around for at least 4,000 years. There is a season to harvest oysters. If you eat them out of season, they can be watery. If they are transported or refrigerated poorly, they can cause food poisoning. So conventional wisdom suggests eating them in cooler months to prevent spoilage during shipping.
Nowadays, with farming being so advanced and food safety closely regulated, it’s safe to consume oysters year-round. However, while we are still in the “r” months, we thought we would share some low-carb healthier oyster recipes. Oysters are usually cooked with a ton of bread crumbs and butter, making them high in carbs and fat. Today, we’re sharing four lighter options.
This recipe claims to boost testosterone. It’s touted as a good snack for men trying to build muscle while staying lean, as the fat-to-protein ratio is healthy. As oysters are high in zinc, it claims it will boost testosterone production in the body. We don’t know about that. We do know that this is a delicious twist of Oysters Rockefeller and a great way to enjoy the shellfish! A serving has 74 calories, two grams of carbs and one gram of fat. Get the recipe.
If you’ve only ever had oysters on the half-shell, you must try this recipe! This is a great option for folks who love spicy seafood and don’t like raw fish! The dish uses garlic Thai chili paste that can be found in any supermarket. Sometimes it’s in the Asian section. But as the most popular brand is made by the same company that makes Sriracha, sometimes it’s sold near the hot sauces. The condiment is savory and has a kick, and it’s sugar-free! We suggest serving this with a high-fiber grain. A serving has 102 calories, two grams of carbs and eight grams of fat. Get the recipe.
We love that this recipe includes spinach. It’s a great way to enjoy your veggies while eating scrumptious cheese-covered shellfish! The dish uses pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs to cut down on carbs. But it’s not too many, so the fat doesn’t add up too quickly. This dish feels decadent but is with a good amount of protein. A serving has 131 calories, eight grams of carbs, four grams of fiber and six grams of fat. Get the recipe.
Oyster stew is traditionally part of many winter feasts, including Christmas. It’s also traditionally loaded with calories, carbs and fat. This version is much, much lighter. It has less butter than most and uses milk instead of heavy cream. While the instructions call for whole milk, you could use two percent milk if you want it to be even lower in fat. It would still work. However, that will make a thinner soup, and we wouldn’t recommend it. Despite being healthier than most, this version is still creamy and delicious. Just don’t skimp on the seasoning. It can be bland if you don’t properly spice the broth. A serving has 253 calories, 12 grams of carbs, one gram of fiber and 19 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
We hope these recipes help you enjoy oysters over the next few months!