Some people believe that the answer to the question of how one cooks an oyster is “you don't.” In fact, oysters can be eaten cooked or raw, and there are numerous ways to prepare them. This seafood delicacy has been popular with humans for thousands of years, and oysters are also the oldest example of aquaculture, for those who like a little food history with their oysters.

Selecting oysters is the first step in preparing oysters, cooked or not. Oysters should be purchased live, and as fresh as possible. Buying oysters directly from the company which harvests them is an excellent idea, although oysters can also be purchased from a fishmonger. Fresh oysters should be packed in ice if they are on display, and their shells should be tightly closed. If the oysters smell briny or fishy, they should be avoided. It is also possible to purchase oysters which have been cooked and canned for projects like oyster stuffing or oyster sauces.

When oysters are brought home, they should be kept chilled before use. When cooks are ready to cook an oyster or eat it raw, they should take the oyster out of refrigeration and scrub the outside of the shell with a nail brush while running cool water over the shell. If the oyster has opened, it should be discarded. For raw eating, cooks shuck the oyster by wedging an oyster knife into the shell and cracking it open to expose the oyster. Some people like to freeze their oysters for 10 minutes before shucking to relax the muscles. Raw oysters are classically eaten with a dash of hot sauce and lemon juice, and they may be accompanied with rye or pumpernickel bread.

To cook an oyster, there are a number of options. Cooks can steam, broil, bake, or boil to cook an oyster until it opens, and then just until the edges of the oyster start to curl, which usually takes two to three minutes after the shell opens. Some people add butter or a sauce to the oyster once it opens to season it. In a twist on these techniques, it is also possible to barbecue oysters, a method which produces a very mild smoky flavor. Barbecued oysters should be placed on the grill until they open, dressed with a sauce or seasoning of choice, and then grilled until their edges curl.

Some people prefer to shuck oysters before cooking, as for example in a seafood sauce for pasta which includes whole oysters. In these cases, after shucking, the oysters can be tossed into a pan to be cooked. They should be added at the last minute so that they do not turn rubbery. Oysters can be used in seafood sauces, soups, stews, and a variety of other dishes. Some people also enjoy adding oysters to stuffing.

Eating raw oysters can potentially be dangerous. Taking the time to cook an oyster will greatly reduce the risk of picking up a food-borne illness. People who are pregnant or who have compromised immune systems should always cook an oyster before eating it, because they are at increased risk from bacteria and viruses. For the rest of the population, as long as raw oysters are fresh and handled properly, the risk may be acceptable, but consumers should be aware that contaminated oysters look no different from safe ones.