The Ultimate Guide to the 10 Best Canned Oysters (Update 2022)

Is everyone crazy about oysters like I am?

This mighty seafood is rich in iron and like most other seafood, it acts as an aphrodisiac. Well, although I don’t mind that part, let’s just say that eating oysters in my home like many others in the world is the norm.

Did you know that oysters are such versatile ingredients in the kitchen? You can use them for varying meals like; main meals, side dishes, and desserts sometimes. But man, I love my mama’s oyster pie.

Unfortunately, when you start living in fast-paced cities across the globe, time is one thing that we are often short of. Thus, preparing your favorite oysters from scratch becomes a dream.

If you don’t have time to do all the preparations, don’t worry because you can buy the best-canned oysters. This article is going to list for you the best tasty and nutritious canned oysters to go for.

1. Crown Prince Natural Smoked Oysters in Pure Olive Oil, 3-Ounce Cans

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For me, this is the best choice in the market I love the taste and everything about it. Mind you, since it’s preserved in olive oil, they are healthier than most.

The oysters are also rich in flavor because not only is it preserved in the nutritious olive oil but is also smoked using natural wood for the rich wood flavor.

The 3-ounce can is about enough to gain omega 3, iron, and protein. You could use the oysters for sandwiches, pizza or eat it like I like to, straight from the can. This is a product of managed fisheries in South Korea featuring handpicked fish that means you maintain the quality of fish.

It’s a safe product to use since it has no GMO, BPA, and it’s gluten-free. What makes it stand out is the delicious taste without the greasy feel that sometimes one feels when eating canned food. I’m sure you will enjoy your every bite.

2. Chicken of The Sea Smoked Oysters, 3.75-Ounce (Pack of 9)

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There’s nothing that quenches your cravings for oyster than the smoked oysters. It prides itself on being a pack of the smoky flavor and a taste of goodness. Its brand name loosely refers to oysters being the tasty white meat in the sea and I couldn’t agree more.

For these canned oysters, everything is balanced from the flavors to the taste and fragrance. I have a friend who never used to like the thought of using canned oysters. But when she tasted this she was hooked forever.

Preserved in oil, the chicken in the sea oysters are ready for you to devour, and don’t even think about the trans-fat and gluten because they have none. For all your traditional recipes that require the use of oysters, consider this brand, and thank me later.

3. Reese Large Smoked Oysters, 3.7-Ounces

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If you ask me, I would tell you that smoked food is always the best. I like the wood flavor in this can of oysters. Oysters use in your appetizers, main meal and desserts just change everything for you. It’s utterly delicious yet full of flavor.

For most people, enjoying oysters is a given because it’s a rich delicacy. For Asian communities, this kind of oysters would work just fine because they are large enough to suit our stir fry meals.

For all those who are concerned about texture, buy this product as its large pieces will give you that texture.

The oysters are packed in nutritious yet delicious cottonseed oil. It retains its richness in omega-3 which is essential for both the brain and heart functioning. Every so often we all need to take a trip around the globe while sampling the different meals.

With Reese, you will go over the seas in the comfort of your home. The item is unparalleled when it comes to the sizes of oysters used. Yet they only pick the high-quality ones. Taste your can today for all the richness and goodness.

4. Roland Oysters, Petite Smoked, 3 Ounce

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Apparently, you will find oysters in the Pacific Ocean too. They, like other smoked oysters, give you the petite oysters smoked using woodchips for a great smoky flavor. You find them packed without the shells and this is a plus for those who like to eat them directly from the can.

You will have the oysters appearing as dark brown in color yet mild in flavor. I have seen people complaining that the canned oysters are overpowering in flavor. If this is you, here is your go-to brand.

Besides, the oysters aren’t chewy rather they are firm to eat. This means that you can eat them in whichever form you like. But for the full burst of flavors try them right from the can and at room temperature.

It contains no additives which makes it safe to use. It’s further gluten-free and free of trans fats. I think this is a delicious meal that has consistently served my needs whenever I needed a quick fix of the delicious oysters.

5. Smoked Oysters – All Natural Original Flavor Farmed in USA

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For those who like their products from the US, then this is yours to buy. Are you familiar with Willapa bay? The oysters here are clean and farmed in the clean Willapa bay. They are then handpicked and then smoked with natural wood to produce a rich yet natural flavor.

I know you probably know about the companies that will produce a few oysters then run out and close their shops once you have fallen in love with their flavors, this brand is here to stay. They are the largest yet independent oyster farmers across America.

You may have the oysters mildly flavored but they contain no preservatives or additives. Everything is all-natural, healthy, and pure. With its authentic flavor, you can just open the can and start eating them. Alternatively, use them for the sandwich and other meal additions.

6. Geisha Fancy Smoked Oysters in Cottonseed Oil

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Another brand of smoked oysters that is packed in cottonseed oil.

Nothing will beat this delicious blend of oysters and richly flavored oil. If you are looking for the traditional style of oil then buy the geisha oysters which are naturally prepared with the only addition being salt and oil for the preservation purpose.

For me, this is best enjoyed directly from the can. Since its can is easy to open, nothing makes them more delicious. I enjoy eating it when I want to sip my beer with friends and the addition of crackers is just fine.

7. Geisha Whole Oysters in Water

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I know most people who are concerned about their weight would rather eat the oysters in water than in any other perceived nutritious oil. This features the whole oysters for the rich flavors and nutrients.

What’s more, since it has no additives and queer preservatives you are sure to regulate your consumption of calories. For each of us, health is vital today and Geisha grants you the richly healthy oysters that you can use for your different recipes.

8. Pampa Smoked Oysters in Vegetable Oil

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Another Chinese brand of smoked oysters only this time we have them preserved in vegetable oil. Like other brands above, these ones feature the natural oysters that are handpicked from the farm then smoked to infuse it with the powerful smoky flavor.

You then preserve it in vegetable oil. They are rich in flavor and tasty yet rich in texture. Pampa oysters are safe to use since they contain fewer calories and cholesterol. What makes it stand out is that it has no shell cuts in the tin.

Whether you wish to eat them straight out of the can or after cooking them is up to you because all that is possible.

9. Pacific Pearl Smoked Oysters in Spring Water

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Here is yet another deliciously smoky flavor of the oyster. Now you should know that you can have your oysters in water if you are concerned about your weight. For me, this works best as an appetizer although we sometimes use it in the main meal.

Since this features a powerhouse of iron and the smoky flavor of oysters it will work alongside most of your meals. What’s more, since it’s packed in spring water, it contains no fat or other preservatives and colors.

I like this because despite being healthy, they are still delicious and rich in texture. Moreover, the oysters used here are moderately sized. With the 12 pieces in the can, you have enough to add to your favorite meal.

10. MW Polar Seafood, Boiled Oyster

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Last on the list is safe to use oysters that are harvested from the waters of Korea. The oysters are free of heavy metals or biotoxins that get infused in some of the large fish in deep seas.

Handpicked for use, they are graded according to their quality and color. If you like whole oysters then this is your must-have. It’s boiled whole and without additive before packing them in water and salt.

The oysters are sterilized and rich in irons thus ideal for use in different meal choices. Moreover, they balance the salt and are so tasty that sometimes I can’t help but eat them right from the can.

Are Canned Oysters Safe?

For this question, I would give a resounding yes answer. In most cases, fresh oysters are generally more expensive which makes more people opt for canned ones. When you compare the canned ones to the fresh ones, they are generally not so different in nutritional value.

In fact, we would say that they are neither high nor low in nutritional value. They contain nutrients that are absent in the fresh oysters like vitamin C. They are also richer in vitamin B&K than more potassium phosphorus and magnesium.

Mind you, the fact that oysters are naturally rich in sodium means that the canned ones will contain even more sodium.

Are Smoked Oysters Healthy

You will have noticed that you only eat canned oysters in their natural form or smoked form. Of course, the smoked oyster is richly flavored and delicious but they are often preserved in oil.

This means that if you are concerned about your weight or you are working on reducing the weight, you shouldn’t go for the smoked ones. Moreover, the saline water that is sometimes used for preservation is packed with sodium which is harmful to your health.

Of course, we aren’t saying you shouldn’t use canned oysters but you should consume them in moderation.

So, which is the safest way to eat oysters?

If you can’t access the fresh versions of the oysters you can use the Chinese style dried oysters or smoke the oysters at home as a form of preservation to wait for future use. I advocate that you buy your oysters in their fresh but if you have to then just use canned ones.

Benefits of Using the Oyster

• Essential for weight loss

How does this work you will ask?

The oysters have high levels of protein which increases the human body’s metabolic rate. This is ideal when you are obese or overweight. In addition, since its protein content is high in every tissue of your body, it’s easy to repair the worn-out tissues.

• It will boost the male libido

According to most researches, zinc and vitamin C which are present in the oysters are the reason for increased male libido. You have about 65.6mg of zinc in a 100g serving of oysters. This is higher than you ever need. Moreover, the shellfish is another powerhouse of oysters.

In addition, zinc is essential for various other body fulfilments. It’s necessary to care for most of your organs.

• Lowers the level of cholesterol

For me, anything that lowers the level of cholesterol is welcomed. Oyster mostly only contains rich and healthy fats called polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are known for keeping your heart healthy. You can also forget about cardiovascular disease when you have cholesterol.

The oyster will also produce the amino acid lysine which is essential in the production of carnitine which lowers your cholesterol.

• It boosts your immunity

Zinc has more functions as you will see on this subtopic. Zinc is an antioxidant which will help you to reduce oxidative stress as well as boosting your immunity. The immunity boost is a result of the good polyunsaturated fats.

You will be strong enough to fight rampant diseases like the common cold.

• It helps you to prevent anemia

If you thought its only men who benefit from oysters, think again. Some women tend to lose a lot of blood during their menstrual time of the month. Eating the oysters regularly will help you level up the blood formation with the amount going out.

The iron is responsible for making red blood cells to carry your oxygen into the blood. Well, the good news is that this meal is rich in iron.

Are Smoked Canned Oysters from China Safe to Eat?

Of course, the west is known to question most products from China. However, when you buy some of these famous brands you shouldn’t have a problem eating them.

A good example is the crown prince oyster, if you visit their website, you will discover that they have standard measures that they adhere to before those products are sold to you. USFDA performed an inspection to verify whether they sell quality products.

There are those who raise legitimate concern as to the heavy metal presence in the water where the oysters are harvested. What you should do, is eat the oysters in moderation to avoid the harmful effects.

But if you buy brands like crown prince then, by all means, eat it because its safety standards are at a greater level.

Where to Buy Oysters

Of course, my next question would be, do you want the oysters fresh or canned? If you want to buy the canned options there are many places to buy them from. Like Walmart, Amazon, eBay, and other online stores.

When you are in America though, you can buy the fresh or smoked oysters from Catalina offshore products, Giovanni fish market which is my all-time favorite, the crab place, and vital choice wild seafood.

I recently read somewhere that the Willapa oysters also sell great oysters and the packaging is done with the aim of you reaching home with your fresh oysters or crabs.

Since oysters are loved in Asia you can visit any Asian store to find the canned ones as well.

Canned Vs Fresh Oysters

Notice that you may eat the oysters either in their raw form or cooked version. They are also sold in either the fresh version or canned ones.

The canned ones, in this case, are said to contain more nutrients than the fresh ones. So, for all of you who can’t access fresh oysters, it’s okay to eat the canned ones. Never discard the liquid used in the preservation of the oysters as they are the powerhouse of the nutrients.

Let’s check the nutrients in a single cup serving of raw and canned oysters

	Fresh oysters	Canned oysters
Calories	126 per serving	169 per serving
Protein	14g	17.5g
Total fat	4.3g	6g
Calcium	146mg	112mg
Iron	11.43mg	16.6mg
Vitamin	B-12 is at 21.7 micrograms	A, B, and C vitamins
	More vitamin K	Phosphorus & Magnesium

If you will check the table above, you realize that there is not much difference although the canned oysters are richer in nutrients as earlier stated.

How To Cook The Canned Oysters

There are several methods of cooking canned oysters so I will live you to do your research on that. But if you wish to cook the stewed version, follow the recipe below.

Items

• 2 cans of the oysters
• A dash of Worchester sauce
• A can of celery cream soup
• A tablespoon of butter
• 8 cups of milk

Method

• On high heat, place your pan and put the butter in it to melt.
• Add the oysters, celery cream, and Worchester sauce.
• Reduce your heat to the medium level then continue to stir it until the oyster begins to curl.
• Add your last ingredient which is milk and let it cook a little bit then serve hot.

If you want other options to cook your oyster check the blogs below.

Simply healthy family cooking oyster

The daily meal-best canned oyster recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are canned oysters cooked?

Your canned oysters are normally fresh or smoked. In this method, they are cooked and ready for you to eat direct from the can. However, most people like to use them as part of other recipes. It’s all a personal preference.

• Can dogs eat smoked oysters?

I haven’t seen the oysters in the list of pet poison, yet, the oysters sometimes eat the toxic algae plant called dinoflagellates. The algae goes ahead to rest in the muscles and tissues of the oysters.

This is risky for both humans and animals. While some people believe that cooking kills all toxins, in this case, the toxins aren’t affected by cooking. Thus, avoid feeding your dog with oysters.

• What to do with the canned smoked oyster

I hear this question frequently and the answer is straightforward. Cook it again as part of your recipes, eat it directly from the can or make salads and desserts with them. They are utterly delicious.

The Shelf Life of The Canned Oysters

If you haven’t opened the can of oysters, you can have them for another year from the day you purchased it.

The moment you open the can, remember to store it in the refrigerator. Use it within 2 or 3 days at most. When it comes to storage, keep them in the fridge safe cans that are usually made using plastic or glass.

Alternatively, just freeze your oysters the same way you do with the fresh oysters or fish.

Conclusion

I can’t argue about people’s love for oysters. For the first time, I even discover an item that is still highly nutritious in its canned form. This meal is beneficial to your body as you may have noticed.

So, of all the canned oysters listed above Crown Prince Natural Smoked Oysters in Pure Olive Oil, 3-Ounce Cans is the best choice to go by. Not only is it delicious but it also adheres to the FDA standard requirement among other bodies. It’s therefore safe to eat.