Oysters are a delicious mollusk that is enjoyed around the world. Their salty, briny taste makes them a favorite for seafood lovers. Oysters are often sold by the bushel, peck, or quart. But if you’re buying just a half peck, how many oysters will that provide? Let’s break it down.
What is a Peck and Half Peck of Oysters?
A peck is an imperial and US customary unit of dry volume equivalent to 2 dry gallons or 8 dry quarts. It is used for measuring commodities such as oysters, clams, and quahogs.
A half peck is simply half of one peck. So a half peck of oysters is equivalent to 1 dry gallon or 4 dry quarts.
How Many Oysters in a Half Peck?
The number of oysters in a half peck can vary somewhat depending on the size of the oysters, but a general rule of thumb is
- There are roughly 100 oysters in a bushel
- There are about 25 oysters in a peck
- So in a half peck there are approximately 12-13 oysters
This is just an average, though. Larger oyster varieties may have closer to 10 per half peck, while smaller ones could have 14 or more. The oysters’ source and harvesting location can also impact size and counts per measure.
Serving Suggestions for a Half Peck of Oysters
A half peck of oysters is a great amount for 2-3 people to share as an appetizer. Here are some serving suggestions:
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Serve the oysters on the half shell, chilled on ice with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. Allow 3-4 oysters per person if serving as an appetizer.
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Make oyster shooters by adding 1 raw oyster to a shot glass filled with tomato juice, horseradish, and spices.
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Grill the oysters for a main course. Allow 4-6 oysters per person, topped with butter and breadcrumbs.
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Fry the oysters to use in po’boys sandwiches. A half peck should make 2-3 sandwiches.
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Add the oysters to chowder or seafood stew. A half peck would feed 3-4 people.
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Bake in a casserole like oyster pie or oyster stuffing. Serve alongside a salad for a light meal.
As you can see, just a half peck of oysters gives you lots of delicious options! The small quantity is great for tasting and trying different oyster recipes.
Price and Where to Buy Half Peck Oysters
Prices for a half peck of oysters can range anywhere from $10 to $25 depending on quality, variety, and source location. They are available at:
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Local oyster farms or seafood markets.
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Fishmongers or seafood counters at some grocery stores.
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Online oyster retailers that overnight ship fresh oysters packed with ice.
Be sure to buy from a reputable seller with high turnover to ensure freshness. Raw oysters have a shorter shelf life than cooked, so plan to use them within 4-5 days. Store in the refrigerator loosely covered by a damp towel until ready to shuck and eat.
Shucking and Storing Oysters
It’s quick and easy to shuck oysters at home. Rinse under cold water then find the hinge at the tapered end. Insert an oyster knife and twist to pop open the shell. Cut the muscle to release the meat. Discard the top shell and serve the oyster over ice on the bottom shell.
Store shucked oysters in their liquor in a container covered with plastic wrap. Use within 3-4 days. Discard any with an unpleasant odor.
Enjoy the Briny Goodness!
A half peck of oysters is the perfect amount to indulge in the delicious taste of fresh oysters. Their salty ocean flavor and soft but firm texture make them a real treat. Experiment with different serving methods to find your favorites. Just be sure to buy high-quality oysters and use them soon after purchasing. With proper storage and handling, a half peck of oysters will give you many memorable meals.
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.
5 ways to garnish your oyster on a half shell
FAQ
Is 12 oysters too much for one person?
How much is 12 oysters?
How many single oysters are in a bushel?
How much is 1 bushel of oysters?
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 long does it take to get a peck of oysters?
Where I live in Falmouth, Massachusetts, gathering a peck of oysters now takes less than 20 minutes. For those who don’t know, a peck is 85 oysters, and a bushel is roughly 340. The propagated areas are so fertile that a single sweep of a clam rake can produce over a dozen legal-sized oysters, and things should only get better.
How many gallons are in a bushel of oysters?
A bushel is equivalent to 4 pecks, 8 gallons, and 32 quarts. 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.
What is a sucked oyster size?
It can also depend on the type of oysters. Shucked oyster sizes tend to be based on the number of individual oysters within a specific volume.