Planning an oyster party and wondering how many bushels you need to buy? Oysters are a delicious appetizer or main course, but determining the right quantity for your event can be tricky. In this article we’ll break down everything you need to know about ordering oysters for a party including bushels, party packs, and serving sizes.
What Is A Bushel Of Oysters?
A bushel is a standard unit of measurement used for bulk foods like oysters A bushel of oysters typically weighs between 45-60 pounds and contains 100-150 oysters The exact quantity can vary based on the size and species of the oysters,
As a general rule of thumb, one bushel of oysters can feed 4-6 people. However, if oysters are the star of the show at your party, plan for 1 bushel per 4 guests. If you’re serving them as an appetizer along with other food, 1 bushel per 6-8 people should be sufficient.
What’s In A Party Pack Of Oysters?
Party packs are a convenient way to buy oysters for large gatherings or events They come pre-shucked in containers or bags, making preparation easy.
The number of oysters in a party pack can range quite a bit, from as few as 36 up to 150 or more. Some packs specify the quantity, while others simply provide a total weight. Weights typically vary between 10-20 pounds.
Since party packs aren’t standardized, you’ll need to check the details carefully to determine how many oysters are included. Packs marketed for parties of 6-12 people likely contain 60-100 oysters. Larger packs for over 12 guests can have 100-150 or more.
Estimating Bushels Based On Party Pack Size
So how many bushels equate to a party pack? There’s no universal answer since pack sizes aren’t consistent. But we can provide some ballpark estimates:
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A 10-12 pound party pack contains approximately 50-60 oysters, or about half a bushel.
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A 15-20 pound pack often has around 100 oysters, which is close to one full bushel.
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Party packs with 150 or more oysters can be estimated at 1.5 to 2 bushels.
If you know exactly how many oysters are in your pack, you can divide by 100 (a standard bushel quantity) to calculate bushels. For example, a pack with precisely 136 oysters would be equivalent to roughly 1.3 bushels.
How Many People Will A Party Pack Feed?
Figuring out how many people a party pack will serve also depends on the pack size and quantity of oysters inside. Here are some general guidelines based on our bushel estimates above:
- Half bushel (50 oysters): Feeds 6-8 people
- 1 bushel (100 oysters): Feeds 12-16 people
- 1.5-2 bushels (150+ oysters): Feeds 16-24+ people
Remember, these are just estimates. Guest appetites and whether you serve other foods will affect how far your oysters go. Plan for hungry oyster aficionados by using the lower end of the ranges.
Handling and Serving Oysters
Once you’ve bought your oysters, proper handling is key to food safety and quality. Here are some tips:
- Keep oysters chilled at 40°F or below until ready to serve.
- Provide plenty of ice to nestle oysters in during transport and at the party.
- Don’t allow oysters to sit in stagnant water, which can contaminate them.
- Serve raw oysters within 7-10 days of purchasing for best quality.
- Discard any oysters with cracked shells before serving.
Accompaniments like mignonette sauce, lemon wedges, and crackers let guests customize their oysters. Just be sure to keep a close eye on oyster quantities as the party progresses.
Order Oysters For Your Next Party
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a better sense of how to order oysters for your event. Party pack sizes vary, but plan for 1 bushel (100 oysters) to feed about 12-16 people. And don’t skimp on ice and accessories to serve your oysters in style! Your guests will thank you for the delicious spread.
SOUTHEASTERN U.S. DELIVERY FAQS
We ship for free to these states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
We ship in recyclable insulated packaging on Wednesdays via FedEx shipping.
Here’s a link to a video of demonstrating how to shuck oysters.
Here’s a link to some of our favorite oyster recipes.
Oysters in the shell should be stored below 45 degrees, but not frozen. They’ll do great in the refrigerator for several days after you receive them. Oysters should smell sweet and salty; discard any that are open or have a strong smell. Without a doubt, we stand by our oysters and will always be happy to refund you if you’re not satisfied for any reason. We love our oysters and we’re confident that you will, too!.
On Saturdays our delivery truck runs from McClellanville through Mount Pleasant. We can meet you on Saturday in Mount Pleasant near the Ravenel Bridge if you don’t live in this area. Please call Trudy at the office with any questions 843-259-3013.
All invoices must be paid no later than 5:00 p. m. on the Thursday before a Saturday delivery. When we receive your order, we’ll send you an invoice which you can pay online. Your order will be considered confirmed once you have paid. No unpaid orders are confirmed and therefore will not be loaded onto the delivery truck.
Cooking oysters is pretty easy. Try steaming by placing the oysters on a grill and covering them with a wet burlap sack or towel. Or position a steel plate over a wood fire, heap the oysters on the steel, then place burlap sacks or towels over the oysters and wet them down. The fire should be large, started well in advance to provide plenty of heat. You can also use a propane burner and steam pots, which I think is the easiest and least messy. The key for any cooking method is to cook the oysters until they just begin to open, and then pull them off the heat source, and serve immediately. Overcooking leads to dry and tough oysters. Call us with any questions; we’re happy to advise! For more info on throwing an oyster roast, please visit http://www.welcomecharlestonsc.com/featured/how-to-host-an-oyster-roast/
Minimum order is 1 bushel or 100 singles. There is no maximum order, but please give us as much notice as you can.
We sell both. Bushels of clusters are $70, and Singles are $100 for a 100 count bag. Delivery is free.
The Best At-Home Oyster Party
FAQ
How many oysters are in a party pack?
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Oyster Types
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Sea Sirens, Ichabod Flats, Nauti Pilgrims
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Quantity
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50, 100
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How many bushels of oysters for 50 people?
How many oysters come in a bushel?
How much is 1 bushel of oysters?
How many oysters are in a bushel?
Typically, a bushel of oysters will weigh between 45 and 60 pounds. Within this, you will usually find around 100 to 150 oysters. However, the number of oysters in a bushel can vary depending on the size of the oysters. The bigger the oysters, the fewer there may be. There is no exact number of oysters in a bushel but some can feed up to 16 people.
How many bushels of oysters are in a peck?
One US bushel is equal to 2150.42 cubic inches while one Imperial bushel is equal to 2219.46 cubic inches. The sizes of these raw oysters vary depending on their species and location. Generally speaking, there are around 100 oysters per bushel in the US or 25 per peck. How many bushels of oysters can you feed per person?
How many oysters should a party eat?
Oysters should come out in batches if you’re at a social gathering. As long as they are stored in a cool place, a party of six should continue to eat a bushel of oysters easily throughout the evening. Of course, on occasions, a bushel will contain fewer oysters than another. However, the weight should always be similar.
How many people can a bushel of oysters feed?
On average, a bushel of oysters should feed between four to six people. However, some bushels can feed far more depending on their size. One bushel of oysters may feed one person but this would have to be over a few sittings.