What Delicious Abalone Dishes to Make? Top 12 Nutritious Abalone Recipes

Abalone has long been considered a precious seafood of the ocean thanks to its sweet flavor and nutritional value. Therefore, many people still wonder what delicious dishes to make with abalone to fully preserve the freshness and premium quality of this high-end seafood. If you are looking for ideas for a party or a family meal, let’s explore the best and easiest abalone dishes to make at home in this article!

1. What is abalone? Why is it popular?

Origin and characteristics of abalone

Abalone is one of the high-end seafood types, belonging to the sea snail family, living mainly in deep and clean waters. They shaped like a flat fan shell, with a slightly rough outer surface but a beautiful pearly luster inside. Abalone clings tightly to rocky reefs, absorbing natural nutrients from the sea, resulting in firm, crunchy, sweet meat with a unique aroma that few other seafood types can match.

In many Asian countries like Korea, Japan, China, or Vietnam, abalone is considered a rare delicacy, often appearing in luxury banquets or used as high-end gifts. Not only delicious, abalone is also associated with meanings of wealth and longevity, making it even more popular.

Nutritional value of abalone

Abalone is sought after not only for its flavor but also for its nutritional value. Abalone meat contains high-quality protein, low bad fat, but is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and especially iodine, which is very good for thyroid function. Additionally, abalone contains essential amino acids, B vitamins, and biological compounds that help strengthen the immune system, support cardiovascular health, and improve overall wellness.

2. How to process fresh abalone cleanly and effectively remove fishy odors

To preserve the full deliciousness and nutritional value of abalone, the correct processing steps are very important. Fresh abalone, when purchased, often has stones or many impurities attached, so you can handle it according to the following steps:

• Step 1 – Cleaning the outer shell: Use a brush or a scrubbing pad to gently rub the shell, especially the two edges, to remove moss and sand. Rinse with clean water several times.
• Step 2 – Separating the meat from the shell: Use a spoon or a small knife to slide close to the shell edge, gently prying to remove the meat. Then, remove the stomach or the black gut if you do not want a slightly bitter taste. Note to keep the fringed edges and guts if the dish requires the whole abalone.
• Step 3 – Removing slime and fishy odors: Place the abalone in a bowl of diluted salt water or water mixed with a bit of white wine and crushed ginger. Soak for a few minutes then rinse to completely remove the slime and characteristic fishy odor. The cleaned meat can be left whole or sliced depending on the dish.

3. What delicious dishes to make with abalone?

Abalone is a type of seafood with a sweet taste and natural aroma. That is why abalone can be prepared into many delicious dishes, from light to bold, from family meals to luxury party dishes. Below are the best abalone dishes, loved by many and easy to perform at home.

3.1. Abalone porridge

Abalone and shiitake mushroom porridge is a dish that is both tasty and nutrient-rich, very suitable for people recovering from illness, children, the elderly, or those needing an energy boost. A bowl of smooth, hot porridge, simmered from bone broth, has a natural sweet flavor.

Ingredients

• 150 g glutinous rice
• 200 g shrimp
• 5 shiitake mushrooms, 10g cilantro
• 10 abalones (small size)
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, seasoning powder to taste

Processing as follows:

• Shiitake mushrooms should be soaked in salt water for 3-5 minutes, then remove the stems, wash, and chop. Wash and finely chop the cilantro. Wash the abalone, pat dry, and chop; if buying whole, separate from the shell and rub with salt before washing. Peel the shrimp, remove whiskers, legs, and the vein, then wash.
• Wash the glutinous rice and put it in a pot with 1.5 liters of water, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice grains are soft.
• Next, add the shrimp, abalone, and shiitake mushrooms to the pot, stir well, and cook for about 10 more minutes until cooked.
• Then, season to taste and sprinkle with cilantro before turning off the heat. Ladle the porridge into a bowl to enjoy while it is still hot and fragrant.

3.2. Stewed abalone

Abalone stewed with Chinese herbs is a favorite nourishing dish thanks to its sweet flavor and high nutritional value. Abalone is stewed with red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and shiitake mushrooms, creating a fragrant broth that is naturally sweet from the herbs. This dish is suitable for those who need to recover their health or boost their body’s energy.

Ingredients

• Fresh abalone: 1.5 kg
• Chicken bones: 400 g
• Shiitake mushrooms: 200 g
• Chinese herbs: a small amount
• Carrot, shallot: 1 each
• 2 cloves of garlic, 1 lemon
• Spring onions, cilantro: a small amount
• Common seasonings: cooking oil, sugar, salt, MSG

How to prepare this dish as follows:

• First, wash the abalone clean, use a brush to scrape the surface, then separate and remove the guts. Rub with salt and lemon to remove the fishy odor, rinse with water, and drain.
• Soak chicken bones in lightly salted water for 5 minutes, wash, and drain. Soak shiitake mushrooms for 10 minutes, squeeze dry, and rinse the Chinese herbs. Peel and cut the carrot into chunks or flower shapes. Mince the shallot and garlic; chop the spring onions and cilantro.
• Next, simmer the chicken bones with 1 liter of water for about 30 minutes, then strain for the broth. Add carrots and mushrooms, simmer for another 20 minutes, then add the Chinese herbs and cook for 10 more minutes. Season with salt, sugar, and MSG to taste.
• Sauté minced shallots and garlic with oil until fragrant, stir-fry the abalone for about 5 minutes, then drop into the broth. Cook for another 10 minutes until the abalone is just cooked, re-season, then add spring onions and cilantro before turning off the heat.

3.3. Abalone salad

What delicious dishes to make with abalone? Abalone salad is a refreshing appetizer with a harmonious combination of the crunchy-chewy texture of abalone and a stimulating mild sourness. The abalone is thinly sliced and mixed with green mango, onions, and herbs, creating a balance between crunchy, sour, and aromatic.

Ingredients

• Canned abalone: 450 g
• Fresh sea grapes: 200 g
• Ginger, chili, shallots, spring onions, calamansi
• Seasoning: soy sauce, chili sauce

How to make

• First, soak the canned abalone in hot water for about 3 minutes, open the lid, slice the abalone into bite-sized pieces, and arrange on a plate.
• Wash the sea grapes 2-3 times with water to reduce saltiness, soak in ice water to keep them crunchy. Peel and shred the ginger; peel and slice the shallots; deseed and mince the chili; chop the spring onions.
• Then, mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 1/2 tablespoon of chili sauce, add ginger, shallots, and chili, stir well. Arrange abalone on a plate then sprinkle with ginger, shallots, chili, and spring onions. Pour the dressing over, and finally top with sea grapes.

See more: How to make delicious sweet and sour squid salad at home

3.4. Steamed abalone

Steaming abalone is a simple processing method that preserves the full natural flavor of the seafood. After cleaning, the abalone is left whole or sliced, then steamed with spring onions and ginger to create a gentle aroma. When cooked, the abalone meat is crunchy and sweet, infused with the flavor of the spices, bringing a sophisticated and light feeling.

Ingredients

• Fresh abalone: 2 kg
• Spring onions: 10 g
• 1 ginger root, 4 garlic cloves
• Oyster sauce, sesame oil: 1 tablespoon each
• Cooking oil, rice wine: 2 tablespoons each
• Sugar: 1 tablespoon
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon pepper

How to prepare steamed abalone:

• Soak the abalone in warm water, use a brush to scrub the shell and the inside under running water. Then, separate the abalone from the shell, remove the guts and teeth, then rinse 2-3 times and drain.
• Separate the white stalks and green leaves of the spring onions; mince the green leaves, and soak the white stalks in ice water to keep them fresh. Peel and mince the garlic; peel and shred the ginger.
• Next, mix oyster sauce, sesame oil, cooking oil, rice wine, sugar, chili powder, and pepper with the minced spring onions and ginger.
• Place each abalone in a steamer then pour 1 tablespoon of the sauce over it, steam over high heat for about 8 minutes. Take out the abalone and decorate with shredded spring onions and the white stalks.

3.5. Butter-fried abalone

Butter-fried abalone impresses from the first look with its attractive golden crust and seductive garlic butter aroma. When you bite into it, the light crispy outer shell blends with the rich aroma of butter, while the internal abalone meat remains tender, sweet, and keeps its characteristic chewiness. Butter-fried abalone is often enjoyed with salad or bread to balance the flavor, creating a unique dish.

Ingredients

• Abalone: 12 pieces
• Butter: 2 tablespoons
• Minced garlic: 2 cloves
• Minced ginger: 1 tablespoon
• Spring onions, chili, lemon
• Fish sauce: 4 tablespoons

How to make

• Wash the purchased abalone, then score cross-shaped lines on the meat to help absorb seasoning and create aesthetic appeal.
• Next, melt butter in a pan then add minced garlic and ginger, stir until golden and fragrant. Add fish sauce and lemon juice, stir well until the mixture turns amber and gives off an attractive aroma.
• Add the abalone to the sauce pan, stir gently for about 1 minute so the seasoning is evenly absorbed and the abalone turns golden brown. Arrange the abalone on a plate, sprinkle spring onions and chili on top, then pour the remaining sauce from the pan over it. The butter-fried abalone dish has a rich, fatty aroma, tender meat, and natural sweetness.

See more: Revealing how to make fragrant garlic butter fried squid that everyone loves

3.6. Abalone and shiitake mushroom soup

Abalone and shiitake mushroom soup is highly nutritious with a thick, smooth broth rich in natural flavors. Sliced abalone combined with soft-soaked shiitake mushrooms, crab meat, and scallops creates a harmony between crunchy and soft-sweet textures. The soup is not only delicious but also helps nourish the body, enhance health, and beautify the skin.

Ingredients

• Dried abalone meat: 300 g
• Dried shiitake mushrooms: 100 g
• Chicken broth: 750 ml
• Crab meat, scallop meat: 500 g each
• Potato starch: 50 g
• Ginger: 60 g
• 3 bird’s eye chilies, 2 lemons
• Mince shallots, minced garlic
• Seasoning: cooking oil, oyster sauce, pepper, white wine, salt, sugar

Instructions for preparing abalone and shiitake mushroom soup:

• Soak the dried abalone in water for about 20 minutes to soften. Soak shiitake mushrooms in water to expand, remove stems, and wash. Peel, wash, and chop the ginger. Prepare the crab meat or boil and shred it.
• Boil the chicken broth with abalone and ginger, simmer over medium heat for 2 hours to get the sweetness.
• Next, sauté minced shallots with 1 tablespoon of oil then add garlic and mushrooms, stir well. Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and a bit of white wine, stir gently.
• Then, pour the abalone simmered water into the mushroom pot, bring to a boil. Add scallops, then dissolve potato starch with a bit of water and slowly pour into the pot, stir well until the soup thickens. Finally, add the crab meat and cook for 1-2 more minutes then turn off the heat.
• Finely crush ginger and chili then mix with lemon juice and sugar to make a spicy-sour dipping sauce. Ladle the soup into a bowl, sprinkle a bit of pepper on top, and enjoy with the ginger lemon sauce.

3.7. Grilled abalone

What delicious dishes to make with abalone? You can refer to the simple yet extremely attractive grilled abalone with butter and onion, featuring a rich, fragrant layer of butter blending with crunchy, chewy abalone meat. After cleaning, the abalone is brushed with garlic butter then grilled over charcoal, keeping its natural sweetness and beautiful golden color.

Necessary ingredients:

• 10 abalones
• 2 shallots, 3 garlic cloves
• 4 spring onion stalks
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons lard (or vegetable oil)
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, sugar, fish sauce, MSG

How to make grilled abalone with scallion oil

• Wash the abalone with a brush or cloth to remove sand and impurities. Cut off the head and tail then gently separate the meat from the shell, keeping the shell for grilling. Remove any black streaks on the body, rinse with water, and drain.
• Wash the spring onions and chop them, mince the garlic and shallots. Then, heat the oil or lard to sauté the garlic and shallots. When golden, add the spring onions and stir quickly for about 30 seconds, then season lightly with salt, pepper, and a bit of fish sauce then turn off the heat.
• Place the abalone meat back into the shell, pour the scallion oil over it. Grill on a charcoal stove or preheated oven for about 10 minutes. While grilling, you can brush more scallion oil to make the abalone more fragrant and rich.
• When the abalone is cooked, take it out and present it on a plate. You can decorate with more cilantro or a few lemon slices to make the dish look more attractive.

3.8. Abalone soup

Abalone soup is refreshing and rich in nutrients to nourish the body. Crunchy fresh abalone is simmered with pork bones, tender chicken meat, vegetables like carrots, lotus roots, and Chinese herbs can be added to enhance flavor and nutritional value. The naturally sweet broth seeps into each piece of abalone and scallop, bringing a culinary experience that is both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg fresh or frozen abalone
• 500 g chicken bones
• 200 g lotus seeds
• 1 carrot
• Spring onions, cilantro
• 1 shallot, 2 garlic cloves
• Lemon, cooking oil
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, MSG

How to make abalone and lotus seed soup

• First, use a brush to scrub the abalone shell to remove moss. Use a spoon to separate the meat, remove the guts then scrub again until completely clean.
• Soak chicken bones in diluted salt water for 5 minutes, wash, and drain. Wash the lotus seeds, soak in salt water for about 10 minutes to soften, then drain. Peel and cut the carrot into bite-sized pieces. Mince shallots and garlic; wash and chop spring onions and cilantro.
• Put the chicken bones and 1 liter of water into a pot, simmer for 30 minutes then remove the bones. Add lotus seeds and carrots, simmer for another 20 minutes, then season with salt, sugar, and MSG for a bold broth.
• Next, sauté minced shallots and garlic with oil then add the abalone and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until firm. Then add the abalone to the broth pot, adjust seasoning for the final time, and cook for another 10 minutes.

3.9. Abalone rice

Abalone rice is a delicious, nutritious dish that is easy to prepare at home. The glutinous rice is soft and sticky, soaked in a balanced sauce of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, combined with crunchy fresh abalone pieces creating a rich and attractive taste. This rice dish is not only filling but also keeps the full natural aroma of abalone, suitable for treating the whole family in daily meals.

Necessary ingredients to prepare:

• 4 abalones
• 150 g glutinous rice
• 100 g fresh shiitake mushrooms, 10 g minced garlic
• 20 g chives, 1 branch of leek (paro)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Seasoning: sesame oil, brown sugar, light Korean soy sauce, chili powder

How to process abalone rice:

• Wash the abalone with a brush under the tap then separate the meat and remove the guts and teeth. Cut the abalone meat into small pieces. The guts can be chopped or ground and filtered through a sieve to cook together to help increase the sweetness for the rice.
• Soak mushrooms in diluted salt water, wash, and drain. Cut mushroom caps into bite-sized pieces.
• Next, heat a pot with sesame oil, sauté garlic then add the abalone guts and stir-fry for about 2 minutes to create an aroma for the rice dish.
• Add glutinous rice, 500 ml water, abalone meat, and shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Bring to a boil then lower heat to medium, cook for another 15 minutes until the rice is sticky. Mix leek, brown sugar, Korean soy sauce, chili powder, and toasted sesame. Finally, add chopped chives and mix well, then ladle abalone rice into a bowl and pour the sauce on top.

3.10. Abalone noodles with vegetables

Abalone noodles with vegetables are highly nutritious when perfectly combining chewy noodles, crunchy sweet abalone, and fresh vegetables. Abalone is stir-fried with garlic and onion then added to the noodles which are just boiled, together with sweet broth from chicken bones. This noodle dish is both nourishing and light, suitable for meals that need energy while remaining refreshing.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 150 g abalone
• 200 g egg noodles
• Carrot, green beans, bell pepper: 100 g each
• 3 spring onion stalks
• 1 tablespoon fried shallots, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon chicken seasoning powder
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, sugar

How to make stir-fried abalone noodles with vegetables

• First, separate abalone meat from the shell, wash with a sponge, cut off the edges then slice thinly. Peel and slice carrots diagonally; cut green beans into sections and shred bell peppers; chop spring onions into sections.
• Boil water with a bit of salt, blanch carrots and green beans for about 1 minute, then place immediately into ice water to keep crunchy, then drain.
• Next, boil water and blanch the noodles for about 1 minute until they look translucent. Remove and soak in ice water for 3 minutes then drain. Then, heat a pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil, quickly stir-fry bell peppers and spring onions for 3 minutes.
• Continue to heat 3 tablespoons of oil, add abalone and stir-fry for 2 minutes then add noodles and stir well. Season with oyster sauce, soy sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, and pepper. Finally, add carrots, green beans, bell peppers, and spring onions and stir-fry together to absorb seasoning.
• Place noodles on a plate and sprinkle fried shallots on top. The dish stands out with crunchy sweet abalone, soft noodles, fresh vegetables, and bold seasoning.

3.11. Abalone in oyster sauce

Abalone in oyster sauce is an attractive dish that brings a bold and novel flavor to family meals. Abalone is just cooked through, tender and sweet, evenly absorbing the smooth oyster sauce. When combined with crunchy shiitake mushrooms or fresh sweet spinach, the dish becomes harmonious, delicious, and nutritious, suitable to enjoy with hot rice.

Preparing ingredients:

• 400 g prepared abalone
• 1 liter chicken broth
• 20 g Chinese sausage, 150 g bok choy
• 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons abalone sauce, 10 g cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1/3 teaspoon soy sauce
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, seasoning powder

How to make abalone in oyster sauce with shiitake mushrooms

• Wash the abalone several times with clean water, pat dry, and set aside. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes to soften. Wash bok choy and drain, while cutting Chinese sausage into cubes.
• Boil the chicken broth, add Chinese sausage, oyster sauce, and soy sauce, stir well and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes. Then, add abalone and shiitake mushrooms and simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until flavors are absorbed.
• Next, boil bok choy with a bit of salt for 3-5 minutes then remove and drain. Take a portion of the abalone cooking water and mix with cornstarch to create a thickened sauce. Finally, arrange the greens, mushrooms, and abalone on a plate and pour the sauce over evenly.

3.12. Abalone hotpot

Abalone hotpot is delicious and nutritious with a bold, sweet broth simmered from bones combined with fresh seafood. Crunchy chewy abalone is added to the boiling pot just right, keeping its natural flavor combined with green vegetables, fresh mushrooms, tofu, and noodles or vermicelli creating a colorful and attractive meal. You can make this dish to gather around with family and friends, enjoying the tasty food while chatting.

Ingredients

• 8 abalones, 6 shrimps
• 120 g sea cucumbers
• 400 g canned sea asparagus
• 100 g pork belly, 150 g chicken leg meat
• 250 g carrots, 250 g cabbage
• 200 g broccoli, 240 g fried egg tofu
• 80 g oyster mushrooms, 5 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 15 g ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves
• Seasoning: sesame oil, abalone sauce, cornstarch, soy sauce, salt, sugar, white pepper, cooking oil

How to make mixed abalone hotpot

• Wash the chicken then marinate with cornstarch, sesame oil, soy sauce, and pepper for 15 minutes. Remove shrimp heads, peel, and dice. Wash abalone, remove internal organs and deodorize with ginger wine. Soak dried mushrooms to expand, wash, chop, and marinate lightly with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar.
• Wash vegetables: slice carrots, separate broccoli into small pieces, slice cabbage and soak in salt water for 5 minutes then drain. Wash pork belly with diluted salt water and slice thinly.
• Then, heat a pan with oil to stir-fry the chicken until about 80% cooked. In another pan with oil, stir-fry sea cucumbers with a few ginger slices and set aside. Continue to stir-fry shrimp and pork belly quickly.
• Sauté garlic and ginger, add mushrooms and stir-fry briefly. Next, add 300 ml water, abalone sauce, soy sauce, carrots, oyster mushrooms, sea cucumbers, and egg tofu to cook for 15 minutes. Then remove the solids, mix cornstarch into the broth to create thickness and season to taste.
• Next, place the broth pot on the stove then add abalone, seafood, sea asparagus, and the stir-fried ingredients, cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, add sesame oil to boost the aroma.

See more: How to cook a perfect squid hotpot: fresh squid, sweet and light broth

If you are a seafood enthusiast, don’t miss out on premium whole dried squid from OlaSquid to make your meals even more exceptional.

4. Tips for choosing and storing fresh abalone

How to choose to buy fresh live abalone

To ensure the quality and flavor of the dish, choosing fresh abalone is very important. When buying abalone, you should pay attention:

• Whether the abalone shell is intact, not cracked or broken, and firmly attached to the meat.
• Abalone meat is fresh, shiny, firm, and has no foul odor or strange taste.
• You can check by pressing lightly on the body; fresh abalone will contract immediately, showing good elasticity.
• Prioritize choosing abalone that is still alive and moving slightly in the water, which indicates they are healthy and keep their natural flavor.
• Avoid buying those that are soft and limp, have a strong fishy smell, or appear with abnormal mucus.

How to store abalone at home

Fresh abalone should be stored in the refrigerator compartment if used within 1-2 days. You can place the abalone in a container with a lid, lined with damp paper towels to maintain moisture without making the abalone too soggy. If you want to store it for longer, abalone can be cleaned, placed in vacuum bags and stored in the freezer. When using, thaw slowly in the refrigerator compartment to maintain the freshness and quality of the meat.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

What delicious dishes to make with dried abalone?

Dried abalone is usually soaked until soft then prepared into nutritious simmered dishes, such as abalone stewed with Chinese herbs, abalone and shiitake mushroom soup, or cooking abalone porridge. Additionally, dried abalone can also be stir-fried in oyster sauce or used in hotpot, which is both convenient and preserves the characteristic flavor.

What abalone dishes to make for babies?

Abalone is soft, nutrient-rich, and easy to digest, making it very suitable for young children. You can prepare abalone simmered until very soft with chicken or vegetables, abalone pumpkin soup, softly steamed abalone, abalone soup, etc., helping babies supplement necessary proteins and minerals.

Does abalone need to be soaked before processing?

With dried abalone, soaking is necessary to make the abalone soft, clean, and easy to process. Soaking time is usually 6-12 hours in warm or clean water, depending on the thickness of the abalone. For fresh abalone, you only need to carefully clean the slime and belly part, no need to soak too long to avoid losing the natural crunchiness and sweetness.

How long does abalone take to cook?

The cooking time for abalone depends on the processing method. If you are simmering or making abalone soup, you need about 20-30 minutes to ensure softness. If you are preparing stir-fry, deep-fry, or steaming, only 3-5 minutes at moderate heat is needed so the abalone meat doesn’t become tough. The important thing is to avoid cooking too long, as abalone can lose its tenderness and become chewy.

See more: How long is reasonable to boil squid so it doesn’t get tough?

What should abalone not be eaten with?

Abalone is a type of seafood rich in protein and minerals, but it should be avoided in combination with very fishy foods like raw fish, raw sea cucumbers, or dishes with too strong a sour taste during cooking, as this can easily make the abalone lose its natural sweetness and become tough. Additionally, people with seafood allergies should be careful when combining abalone with clams, snails, or squid.

See more: What is squid incompatible with? Answers to help you eat seafood without worrying about indigestion

Hopefully, with the suggestions of dishes above, this article has helped you easily answer the question “What delicious dishes to make with abalone” and turn your meals into something special and more nutritious. If you want to explore more delicious recipes from squid and other seafood types, then visit the Blog of Ola Squid!