OUR HERITAGE TO YOUR HANDS
135 years of heritage, crafted into restaurant-quality oysters you can serve at home.
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
Our Oysters
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.
Sweet Sewell
Petite and Delicate
Perfect for brunch, mimosas, and elegant appetizers - no shucking required.
Pack: 48 ct (vacuum sealed on trays of 24)
Heavenly Headley
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)
Big Lake
Large and Bold
Ideal for tailgates, grilling, and Oyster Rockefeller - maximum wow factor.
Pack: 24 ct (vacuum sealed on trays of 12)
OUR HERITAGE
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
Why Cowart Seafood?
One of the largest oyster growers in the U.S., still owner-operated after 135 years.
Unforgettable Flavor
Grit and shell-free, briny Virginia oysters chefs love.
Quality & Safety
Daily-tested for consistency and freshness. Our cryogenic freezing process reduces Vibrio to near undetectable levels.
Innovation & Ease
Frozen half shells are convenient for any occasion. 30 years of frozen oyster innovation.
RESTAURANT QUALITY.
DELIVERED FROZEN.
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
Oysters That Give Back
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.
200M
oysters grown annually
100M
spat planted each year
10,000+
acres revitalized in Virginia's Bay waters
Heritage Worth Talking About
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Wednesday.
Our order cut off time is 9AM EST. All order received after 9AM EST will be shipping the next business day Monday – Wednesday.
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.
