11 Delicious Ways To Celebrate Oyster Season

    While you can eat oysters year round, they’re at their best during the cold months of the year. Which means oyster season starts NOW!

    Lauren Zaser
    by Lauren Zaser

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Grill 'em.

    Macey J. Foronda / Buzzfeed / Via buzzfeed.com

    Fire up the grill one last time and add some oyster to mix it up. Grill them in their shells or on the half shell with some toppings, like a flavored butter. Get the recipe here.

    2. Treat yourself to oyster happy hour.

    Gary Enchanting Photo / Gary Enchanting Photo

    Just because you're strapped for cash doesn't mean you can't enjoy these little mollusks. There are plenty of places to choose from that will have oysters on special, sometimes for just a dollar each!

    3. Try an oyster stout.

    Flickr: Drew Domkus / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: drewdomkus

    While it may not taste like an oyster (do you really want your beer tasting like oyster?) Flying Dog's Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout is made with whole oysters from Rappahonnock River in Virginia.

    4. Sample as many kinds as you can find.

    5. Throw back a boozy oyster shooter.

    Flickr:Burnt Fat / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: burntfat

    The idea of mixing oysters and alcohol might get your gag reflexes going, but this combination is actually amazing and worth a try for any oyster enthusiast. Click here for recipes from Chef Ben Pollinger of Oceana.

    6. Download the Oysterpedia app.

    Via itunes.apple.com

    Created by The Mermaid Inn in NYC, Oysterpedia helps take the guesswork out of ordering and helps you discover the differences between varieties. Learn where and how each oyster was harvested, and what the flavor profile is like. You can even save specific oysters you like. Download here.

    7. Get your hands on a fried oyster po'boy.

    Williams-Sonoma / Via blender.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com

    Delicious fried oysters nestled on a fluffy baguette, topped with crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes. An American classic hailing from Louisiana! Get the recipe here or pick one any of these while visiting New Orleans.

    8. Make your own mignonette.

    Eva Kosmas Flores / Adventures in Cooking / Via adventures-in-cooking.com

    This classic sauce is traditionally served with raw oysters and consists of minced shallots, cracked pepper and vinegar. Click here for the recipe.

    9. Learn how to shuck like a pro.

    View this video on YouTube
    Via youtube.com

    Don't be afraid; all you need are the right tools. Check out a step-by-step guide here.

    10. Find an oyster farm and see how they're harvested.

    Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

    It takes years for an oyster to fully mature. If you're near a coast, head to your local oyster farm to see how they get from ocean to table.

    11. Explore oyster bars across America.