Oysters are a delicious and popular shellfish that are often served at parties and events. If you’re hosting a large gathering, you may need to buy oysters in bulk quantities. But how many oysters will you get in a 50 pound shipment? Let’s break down the math.
Oysters Per Bushel
A standard measurement used in the oyster industry is a bushel. One bushel of oysters weighs about 45 to 60 pounds and contains 100 to 150 oysters.
Knowing this bushel range we can estimate that at the low end, one pound contains around 2 oysters (100 oysters / 50 pounds). At the high end, one pound contains about 3 oysters (150 oysters / 50 pounds).
So using bushels as a benchmark, you can expect approximately 2-3 oysters per pound in a 50 pound order.
Average Oyster Weight
Another way to calculate oysters per pound is by looking at the average weight of a single oyster. Different varieties and sizes range from about 0.5 oz up to 3 oz each.
If we take a midpoint of around 1.5 oz per oyster, and knowing there are 16 oz in a pound, then there would be approximately 10-11 oysters in a pound (16 oz / 1.5 oz per oyster).
Using this average, for 50 pounds there would be around 500-550 oysters (10 oysters per lb x 50 lbs)
So based on the typical oyster weight, you can expect around 500 oysters in 50 pounds.
Oyster Meat Yield
When serving oysters, keep in mind that not all of the weight is edible meat. Approximately 25% of the total weight is made up of the shells and liquor surrounding the oyster meat.
So for 50 pounds of whole oysters, only about 12-13 pounds would be the actual oyster meat you can eat.
Knowing this yield helps you determine how many servings you can expect from a 50 pound bulk order. You’ll get far fewer servings compared to the total number of oysters.
Size and Species Variations
It’s important to note that oyster size and weight can vary significantly based on the species and source:
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Pacific oysters tend to be larger (2-3 oz each). You may only get 7-8 per pound.
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Kumamoto oysters are small (0.5 oz each). You may get over 20 per pound.
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East Coast oysters are generally smaller than West Coast varieties.
So the oysters per pound can range quite a bit based on type. Be sure to check with your fishmonger or seafood provider to get details on the specific oysters you’re purchasing.
Storing and Serving 50 Pounds
Once you buy 50 pounds of oysters, proper storage is critical for freshness. Keep oysters chilled at 38-40°F. Do not freeze them or store below 34°F.
Plan to serve the oysters within 7-10 days for best quality. Shuck them just before serving. Provide plenty of garnishes like mignonette, cocktails sauce, and lemon wedges alongside.
A 50 pound oyster order can serve a huge party of 100+ guests easily. Just be prepared for some serious shucking!
Crunching the Numbers
So how many oysters in 50 pounds? The estimates range widely based on size anywhere from 250 up to 500+. But you can be assured that a 50 pound bulk shipment will give you plenty of those succulent bivalves to go around at your next event. Crunch through the shells and enjoy!
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.
How Many Oysters Can We Eat in 1 Minute? | Salt Life
FAQ
How much do 6 oysters weigh?
How much is 12 oysters?
How many oysters for 50 people?
How many oysters are in a bag?
How much does a oyster weigh?
FoodData Central. Last accessed: 29 August 2020 (fdc.nal.usda.gov). Calculate weight of Oysters, raw per volume, it weighs 262 g/metric cup (8.7 oz/US cup). Foods volume to weight conversions.
Are oysters good for health?
Oysters are good sources of copper, zinc, manganese and vitamin D. People suffering from osteoporosis are recommended to have oysters in combination with calcium. They are also a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, A, folate and other B complex vitamins. Always cook seafoods as they harbor many bacteria, viruses and parasites.
How many oysters should a party eat?
In a restaurant setting, Murray recommends ordering 6 oysters per person, which could be great for an appetizer. However, ordering in bulk for a party is a different story. Consider a few things: What else are you serving? If you’re serving another heavy main, people may eat fewer oysters. Are your guests big oyster fans?
How many oysters should you order?
Many pros, including Erin Murray, author of Shucked, have some pretty strong opinions about how many oysters you should order. In a restaurant setting, Murray recommends ordering 6 oysters per person, which could be great for an appetizer. However, ordering in bulk for a party is a different story.