9 Abalone Recipes To Whip Up This CNY 2025

Chinese New Year is around the corner and that means it’s time to gear up for reunions and lots of feasting. One of the star delicacies we look forward to is abalones — juicy, chewy, and tender shellfish that are oh-so-delicious. Shaped like golden ingots, abalones symbolize good fortune. Its Chinese name, bao yu, also loosely translates to ‘guaranteed prosperity’ — which is why it’s a long-time tradition to enjoy them as we usher in the new year. If you’re in charge of preparing the reunion dinner this 2025, read our guide on how to prepare some canned abalone recipes for CNY!

How to prepare & cook canned abalones?

Wondering how to prepare canned abalones? Canned abalones have been precooked before sealed into tin cans, so they can be consumed as is. However, here are some simple tips on how to make them taste even better! One important step that is not to be missed when preparing abalone dishes is to tenderise them by pounding it with a mallet before following the steps for canned abalone recipes.

Canned abalone recipes for CNY 2025

1. Braised abalone with mushrooms recipe

One of the most classic and popular recipes for canned abalones is to braise them with mushrooms. Mushrooms and abalones go together like one true pair — and when braised with quality ingredients, get ready for a burst of delicious flavour with every bite! 

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Recipe ingredients:

• 36 pcs canned baby abalone
• 1L chicken stock
• 100ml water
• 20g Jin hua ham, cubed
• 2 tbsp abalone sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• ¼ tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp hua tiao wine
• 8 soaked Chinese dried mushrooms
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• 150g baby bok choy
• 1 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp cornstarch solution

Recipe instructions:

1. Pour chicken stock into a pressure cooker and add jin hua ham, abalone sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce and hua tiao wine
2. Add washed baby abalones and Chinese dried mushrooms and cook for 15 – 20 minutes with the lid covered
3. In a separate wok, bring water to a boil and add salt and oil
4. Blanch baby bok choy in boiling water for two to three minutes
5. Drain and set aside bok choy, and plate them together with mushrooms and abalones
6. Pour 100ml water to the wok and add 100ml of braising liquid from the pressure cooker
7. Add sugar to taste and thicken the mixture with cornstarch solution
8. Mix well and pour sauce over the dish to serve

2. Braised abalone with spinach recipe

CNY reunion spreads are all about auspicious ingredients. Apart from abalones, Chinese spinach is another ingredient associated with prosperity due to its reddish roots — a colour that symbolises joy and good fortune. If you’re looking for ways on how to cook canned abalone, try this recipe that teaches you how to braise them with Chinese spinach. You’ll get to enjoy a colourful, decadent abalone dish that’s nutrient-rich too!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Servings: 6

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 canned abalone in brine
• 10 pcs dried scallops
• 1 bulb garlic with skin
• 1L water
• Half a can of abalone brine
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 220g Chinese spinach
• 2 tbsp cornstarch solution

Recipe instructions:

1. Add abalone, dried scallops, water, brine from canned abalone, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce and garlic in a pressure cooker
2. Put the lid on and cook for 1.5 hours
3. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add salt
4. Blanch Chinese spinach until soft and drain the water
5. Remove the garlic from the stock used to cook the abalone
6. Add 100ml of stock into a pot and mix with 100ml of water
7. Thicken it with cornstarch solution
8. Plate the spinach and abalone and drizzle the gravy over to serve!

3. Abalone and fish maw soup recipe

Abalone and fish maw soup is a festive dish that you should definitely try out this CNY. It is relatively simple to put together, so if you’re not sure how to cook canned abalone, follow this beginner-friendly canned abalone recipe!

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 – 10

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 can baby abalones
• 200g crab meat
• 200g fried fish maw
• 3 eggs
• 1 cube chicken stock
• 1 tbsp seasoning
• Handful of coriander, chopped
• Handful of spring onion, chopped
• Salt
• Pepper
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Potato starch

Recipe instructions:

• Boil fish maw for 5 – 10 minutes and slice them thinly
• Add 1L water to pot and bring it to a boil
• Once it starts boiling, add one cube of chicken stock and seasoning
• Add fish maw, abalones, crab meat and let it boil
• Add cornstarch to the soup and stir to prevent it from sticking to the bottom
• Beat the eggs
• Pour and swirl the eggs in one single direction while the soup is lightly boiling to achieve a nice egg flower
• Add a dash of vinegar according to your liking, and serve!

4. Stir fried abalone recipe

While canned abalone can be enjoyed straight from the can, stir frying them with a plethora of spices and sauces can make a huge difference. This delicious stir fried canned abalone recipe is a classic way of preparing abalones, and can be done within 30 minutes!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings:5

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp sherry cooking wine
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• ½ lettuce head
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 can abalone, thinly sliced

Recipe instructions:

1. Add chicken stock, sherry cooking wine, salt, sugar, pepper, and oyster sauce in a bowl and mix well.
2. Add water into a pot and bring to a boil
3. Submerge lettuce in boiling water and cook over high heat for one minute
4. Strain lettuce and let it cool in cold water
5. Next, pour the sauce mixture into a wok and add sliced abalone over medium heat for one to two minutes
6. Add cornstarch solution to the mixture to thicken it
7. Line the lettuce on a plate and pour the abalone and sauce over it to serve

5. Abalone and mushroom congee

A great breakfast or simple lunch during CNY, congee always warms everyone up from the inside out. There’s nothing more appropriate than some abalone for your meals during this festive season. And it’s also an amazing recipe to keep on hand if you want a more atas porridge from time to time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 6 cups chicken or pork stock
• 1 can of abalone (approximately 200g), sliced
• 4-5 shiitake mushrooms (rehydrated if dried), sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger, julienned
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Slice the canned abalone and mushrooms, julienne the ginger, and chop the scallions.
3. In a large pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add rinsed rice and reduce to a simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Let the rice cook for about 35-40 minutes until it breaks down and forms a thick, creamy texture.
5. Add the sliced mushrooms and ginger to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the sliced abalone. Let it warm through for 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking to keep the abalone tender.
7. Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle some chopped scallions on top for garnishing.

6. Abalone herbal soup

A nourishing and aromatic soup combining the richness of abalone with traditional Chinese herbs, your elders will be more than impressed when they see this at dinner! It’s not your regular herbal chicken soup, but elevated with this classic shellfish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 can of abalone (200g), sliced
• 1 liter chicken stock
• 10g dried goji berries
• 10g dried Chinese yam slices
• 2 slices ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and white pepper to taste

Recipe instructions: 

1. Rinse goji berries and Chinese yam. Slice the abalone.
2. In a pot, combine chicken stock, ginger, goji berries, and Chinese yam. Simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Add sliced abalone and soy sauce. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
4. Season with salt and white pepper. Serve hot as a comforting starter or main dish.

7. Cantonese abalone and tofu hot pot

It’s all about simplicity to make sure the abalone really stands out. But that doesn’t mean your dish has to be plain. Claypot can be used to enhance the dish’s flavour, while adding a traditional vibe to it all.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Recipe ingredients:

• 1 can of abalone (200g), sliced
• 1 block of silken tofu, cubed
• 1 cup napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Recipe instructions: 

1. Slice abalone and cube tofu.
2. Heat a claypot or skillet with sesame oil. A while after, when the oil is warmed up, add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add napa cabbage and cook for 2 minutes. Then, pour in chicken stock, soy sauce and oyster sauce.
4. Gently place tofu and abalone into the pot, leaving them to then simmer for about 5 – 7 minutes.
5. Stir in the cornstarch slurry while it’s simmering. Keep stirring, ensuring the slurry is properly mixed in and preventing any sticking.
6. When the sauce has properly thickened, turn off the fire and serve the dish hot in its claypot.

Fresh abalone recipes

8. Sautéed abalone recipe

Fresh abalone recipes tend to be much simpler and easier compared to most canned abalone recipes, with a focus on adding flavour to them. It is recommended to only cook them for a few minutes. Avoid overcooking the abalone or it will affect its texture.

This sautéed abalone recipe is perfect for those who love a buttery, savoury flavour! It is also one of the simplest fresh abalone recipes that’s easy to create even if it is your first time. 

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 – 4

Recipe ingredients:

• 12 frozen abalones, thawed
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• Half a lemon, juiced
• 4 tbsp fish stock
• Spring onion, chopped
• Red chilli padi, chopped

Recipe instructions:

1. Score abalones crosswise
2. Melt unsalted butter in a pan and add minced garlic and ginger in to fry until fragrant
3. Add fish stock and lemon juice into the mixture and bring to a small boil
4. Add abalones to the pan and cook for one minute, toss it periodically
5. Plate it with a dash of spring onions and chilli padi and serve!

9. Steamed abalone recipe

Another way to enjoy fresh abalones is to steam them along with a myriad of ingredients to add flavour. This easy fresh abalone recipe is quick and fuss-free, yet promises a juicy, tender and flavoursome plate of abalones. If you’re short on time, this is the recipe for you!

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Recipe ingredients:

• 10 fresh abalones
• 1 whole garlic, minced
• 2 chilli peppers, minced
• 3 slices ginger, shredded
• Handful of spring onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• ⅛ tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• ½ tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp seafood soy sauce
• ⅛ tsp sugar
• ⅛ tsp chicken powder

Recipe instructions:

1. After cleaning and deshelling fresh abalones, lightly score the surface crosswise
2. Marinade abalones in a bowl with cooking wine, ginger and white pepper for 10 minutes.
3. Add peanut oil into a pan under high heat
4. Add half of the minced garlic into the pan and fry until golden brown
5. Set aside the garlic in a bowl
6. Add chilli peppers, the rest of the garlic, oyster sauce, seafood soy sauce, sugar, and chicken powder into the bowl and mix well
7. Steam fresh abalones for 10 minutes and pour the sauce over each of them
8. Garnish with spring onions and serve!

Fresh abalones vs canned abalones

Canned abalones are the most popular option to get during Chinese New Year as they’re the most convenient and require the least preparation. You can get canned abalone in brine (salt and water) which are lighter in flavour, or canned abalone in sauce which are tastier. They can both be consumed immediately, which is perfect for those who are not sure of how to cook abalone. Do be careful to not season them too much as they already contain a good amount of salt. 

Fresh abalones, on the other hand, are highly perishable and recommended to be eaten as soon as possible. Fresh wild caught abalones are rarer, hence they tend to have a higher price tag. If you’re looking for something more affordable, you can look for fresh farmed abalones instead.

How to wash fresh abalones?

Fresh abalone recipes tend to be quicker and simpler. However, the tedious part is in the cleaning. It is recommended to use a clean toothbrush to brush the side of the abalone. Next, use a spoon or a small knife to pry out the abalone from the side. After you’ve gotten the flesh out, brush the entire abalone shell clean, wash with water and set aside to dry. 

After that, remove the guts from the abalone with a sharp knife. For this, simply let the viscera dangle down and slice it. Scrub the black film off the abalone and slice away the rough edges so that it is easier to eat.

Wow your fam with these fresh & canned abalone recipes this CNY 2025

With our guide on how to cook canned and fresh abalone, as well as the myriad of recipes in this list, we hope that your reunion dinner this CNY will be a sumptuous one! Not sure how to choose canned abalones? We’ve got you covered with a list of the best canned abalone in Singapore! If you’re hosting steamboat dinners too, check out our lowdown on the best steamboat pots in Singapore. Snag all your CNY essentials at awesome discounted prices at our Shopee CNY Sale!