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Family-Owned Since 1890
Daily Quality Testing
Ships Nationwide on Dry Ice
Sustainably Raised
Family-Owned Since 1890
Daily Quality Testing
Ships Nationwide on Dry Ice
Sustainably Raised
Family-Owned Since 1890
Daily Quality Testing
Ships Nationwide on Dry Ice
Sustainably Raised
Harvested daily from the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, our frozen half-shell oysters are graded and hand-shucked on the shore of the Potomac River. Cryogenically frozen immediately after shucking, we do not rinse or glaze our oysters after shucking, ensuring an authentic "merroir" and experience.
Each oyster is a piece of our family history - named after the legends who built Cowart.
Harvested daily from the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, our frozen half-shell oysters are graded and hand-shucked on the shore of the Potomac River. Cryogenically frozen immediately after shucking, we do not rinse or glaze our oysters after shucking, ensuring an authentic "merroir" and experience.
Petite and Delicate
Perfect for brunch, mimosas, and elegant appetizers - no shucking required.
Pack: 48 ct (vacuum sealed on trays of 24)
Medium and Versitle
Our most popular size - ideal for raw bars, baked dishes, and impressing guests.
Pack: 40 ct (vacuum sealed on trays of 20)
Large and Bold
Ideal for tailgates, grilling, and Oyster Rockefeller - maximum wow factor.
Pack: 24 ct (vacuum sealed on trays of 12)
Five Generations. Three Oysters.
Three heirloom names, three distinct flavors. Sized for every recipe on your table.
Petite and Delicate
$132
48 count
(two vacuum-sealed trays of 24)
"Our little darling."
Our smallest oyster with a delicate, balanced Chesapeake profile. Petite Sweet Sewells shine under butter, breadcrumbs, or a simple herb topping.
BEST FOR: Baked appetizers, grilled with butter, intimate entertaining, oyster newcomers.
Medium and Versatile
$120
40 count
(two vacuum-sealed trays of 20)
"The oyster that does it all."
Our most popular tray. Market-size Heavenly Headleys bring balanced Chesapeake flavor and a meaty texture built for the grill, the oven, and anything in between.
BEST FOR: Grilled with garlic butter, weddings and dinner parties, all-purpose entertaining.
Large and Bold
$84
24 count
(two vacuum-sealed trays of 12)
"Our little darling."
Our largest oyster, 4 to 5 inches of plump, meaty shellfish with a bold briny profile. When you want your oysters to be the centerpiece, not the accent, start here.
BEST FOR: Oysters Rockefeller, grilled with compound butter, bold-flavor cooking.
135 years. Family-owned. Chesapeake Bay born.
Cowart Seafood has built its reputation on quality, consistency, and stewardship, bringing the best of the Bay to tables nationwide.
Values We Live By:
Heritage & Reputation
Restaurant-Grade Quality
Stewardship of the Bay
Innovation & Convenience
One of the largest oyster growers in the U.S., still owner-operated after 135 years.
Grit and shell-free, briny Virginia oysters chefs love.
Daily-tested for consistency and freshness. Our cryogenic freezing process reduces Vibrio to near undetectable levels.
Frozen half shells are convenient for any occasion. 30 years of frozen oyster innovation.
For the first time, Cowart Seafood oysters are available direct to your door. Perfect for at-home chefs, foodies, and anyone who wants to serve restaurant-quality oysters without the hassle.
Frozen Heritage Half Shells ship nationwide
Pre-shucked, safe, and ready to cook or serve
Vacuum sealed on trays for pristine quality
Recipe cards and serving inspiration included
Every Cowart oyster helps clean the Bay, restore ecosystems, and sustain jobs in our community. Through hatchery programs, seed planting, and harvesting, we've revitalized thousands of acres—because great oysters start with a healthy Bay.
oysters grown annually
spat planted each year
10,000+
acres revitalized in Virginia's Bay waters
Simply remove the frozen oysters, and place the empty box and remaining dry ice outside to complete sublimation. Do not place dry ice in confined places.
Yes, our cardboard boxes can be recycled. In addition, we use Cruz Foam for insulation. Cruz Foam is compostable and recyclable.
Freeze immediately upon receipt. Heritage Half Shell Oysters can be stored in the freezer for up to one year for peak freshness and taste.
Heritage Half Shell Oysters take about 40 minutes to defrost at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
Yes, occasionally an oyster that has fed on a specific alga will turn a pink or red color when defrosted. The color does not affect the taste, texture or safety of the oyster.
We offer 1-day and 2-day shipping nationwide.
To ensure our product arrives safely and without delays, we ship Monday through Thursday.
Our order cut off time is 12PM EST. All order received after 12PM EST will be shipping the next business day Monday – Thursday.
Coward Seafood exclusively sources oysters from the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, including the Potomac, York, James, and Rappahannock.
The tag included with your oysters is an FDA-required traceability tag. The tag indicates the harvest date and the body of water from which the oysters were harvested. In the event of a recall or other issue, Cowart Seafood can trace every oyster to its origin. Please retain this tag until your oysters are consumed.
FDA | BRC | VDH Certified
All our facilities are certified by the Virginia Department of Health, FDA, BRC, and are allergen-free. We conduct internal audits to provide the healthiest and safest processing and products.
