Abalone is a delicacy prized for its savory flavor, unique texture and stellar nutrition. Cooking abalone may seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques, you can create a delicious abalone. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook abalone in 5 different ways.
1. Stir Fry Abalone Recipe
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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3 cloves of garlic, minced
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1 small knob of ginger, julienned
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6 fresh abalones, thawed if using frozen
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1 bunch garlic shoots or asparagus, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
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1 small carrot, cut into thin batons
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2 teaspoons oyster sauce
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon sugar
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¼ cup chicken broth or water
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1 tablespoon potato starch or corn starch
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2 tablespoons water
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½ teaspoon sesame oil
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½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Clean the abalone under running water, remove the guts, and slice it into thin rounds. Pat dry.
Step 2: In a wok or large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Next, add minced garlic and julienned ginger. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Then add abalone and toss for 30 seconds or until abalone starts to cook through then remove and set aside
Step 3: In same skillet, add carrot batons and asparagus or garlic shoots. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Next, add oyster sauce, salt, sugar, and chicken broth (or water). Stir to mix everything evenly.
Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of water with ½ tablespoon of potato or corn starch, and stir well until combined. Drizzle evenly into stir fry and immediately mix well.
Step 5: Return stir fried abalone and cook on medium-high for 30 seconds or until sauce thickens.
Step 6: Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle cracked black pepper. Serve hot with steamed rice for a satisfying and aromatic seafood dish.
2. Fried Abalone Recipe
Ingredients
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6 fresh abalones, thawed if using frozen
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½ cup flour
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½ teaspoon crushed salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the abalone: Clean the abalone, remove the shells and guts, and slice into thin rounds. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
Season the flour: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, and black pepper.
Coat the abalone: Dredge each abalone slice in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
Heat the pan: In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to foam.
Fry the abalone: Add the abalone slices in a single layer. Fry for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
Drain and serve: Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon and a dipping sauce.
3. Steamed Abalone Recipe
Ingredients
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5 fresh abalones, thawed if using frozen, cleaned
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3 slices of ginger
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1 small piece of dried tangerine peel (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
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Green onion for garnish
Sauce:
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2 tablespoons cooking oil
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon cooking wine
Instructions
Prepare the abalone: Clean each abalone by removing the guts and brushing off any debris. Leave the abalone meat in its shell for presentation.
Arrange for steaming: Place the abalones on a heatproof plate. Top each with a slice of ginger and a small piece of soaked dried tangerine peel.
Steam: Steam over high heat for about 5–6 minutes, depending on size. Do not oversteam.
Prepare the sauce: Heat cooking oil in a small pan, then add soy sauce and cooking wine. Stir briefly and remove from heat.
Finish: Pour the sauce over the steamed abalone, garnish with green onions, and serve immediately.
4. Grilled Abalone Recipe
Ingredients
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10 fresh abalones, thawed if using frozen, cleaned
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 tablespoons butter, melted
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1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the abalone: Clean and separate the abalone from its shell. Pat dry and lightly score the top surface with a knife to prevent curling during grilling.
Make garlic butter: In a bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, and olive oil. Next, brush each abalone with the garlic butter mixture
Preheat the grill: Heat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Grill the abalone: Place prepared abalone, shell down, on the very hot grill. Cook for 4 minutes. Flip abalone, placing the meat side down and cook for another 3 minutes. Take abalone off the grill and remove shell.
Serve: Serve immediately, drizzled with extra garlic butter or a squeeze of lemon juice.
5. Abalone Soup Recipe
Ingredients
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1/2 pound fresh abalones, thawed if using frozen (or canned abalones)
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4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
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3 slices ginger
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3 cloves garlic, crushed
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
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½ cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or button)
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2 stalks green onions, chopped
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2 baby bok choy, halved
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1 small carrot, sliced thinly
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Salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the abalone: Clean and tenderize fresh abalone by lightly pounding with the back of a knife. Slice into thin pieces.
Make the soup base: In a medium pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a gentle boil. Add ginger slices and crushed garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add vegetables: Add carrots, mushrooms, and bok choy. Cook for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Add abalone: Add the sliced abalone and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes. Avoid overcooking — the abalone should stay tender.
Season: Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and fish sauce (if using). Adjust with salt and white pepper to taste.
Finish: Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
With these three methods, I hope that you can confidently cook abalone perfectly at home with its unique flavor and texture.
