Oysters reward the cooks who learn a few good techniques, and these 10 recipes cover the ones worth knowing. From shatteringly crispy fried oysters and classic Oysters Rockefeller to garlic herb butter grilled oysters and a simple, deeply comforting oyster stew, this is the collection to keep when fresh oysters are available.
Jump to:
- What makes these recipes special?
- Top Tips
- Spicy Oyster Stew: A New Year Tradition
- Spicy Caramelized Bacon Wrapped Smoked Oysters
- Fried Oysters Recipe
- Commander's Palace Oyster Rockefeller Recipe New Orleans
- Oyster Stew Recipe
- The perfect brunch oyster bake
- Oyster Po Boy Recipe
- Oyster Dressing Recipe
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Garlic Herb Butter Grilled Oysters
- Comments
Oysters are one of those foods that reward the people who actually take time to learn a few good preparations, because the flavor is complex in a way that changes significantly depending on how you cook them. Raw oysters have their place, but fried oysters, Oysters Rockefeller, oyster stew, and grilled oysters with garlic herb butter are all distinct eating experiences that each make a strong case for being the best way to eat one.
This collection brings together the most satisfying ways to cook oysters, from a crispy Fried Oysters Recipe and a classic Oyster Po Boy to Oysters Rockefeller, Garlic Herb Butter Grilled Oysters, and Oyster Stew. Whether you're working with fresh oysters on the half shell or shucked oysters from the jar, there's a recipe here that fits your situation.
Top Tips
- Shuck oysters cold for easiest access. Cold oysters clamp tighter in a sense that their adductor muscle is easier to locate, but more importantly, refrigerating them before shucking makes the muscle slightly firmer and more responsive to pressure from the knife.
- Dry oysters well before frying. Wet oysters create steam in the oil and prevent the breading from crisping properly. Pat them between paper towels before dredging and the coating will hold better and brown more evenly.
- For oyster stew, simmer gently. Oysters toughen fast over high heat and become chewy and unpleasant. Warm the milk base first, add the oysters last, and pull the pot from heat the moment the edges of the oysters just begin to curl.
- Grilled oysters need high, direct heat. The grill should be as hot as you can get it for oysters. The goal is to get the butter bubbling and the edges of the oyster curling within a few minutes so they stay plump and tender rather than drying out.
- Buy oysters from a reputable source. Freshness matters more with oysters than with most seafood because they're often eaten raw or minimally cooked. Get them from a trusted fishmonger, ask when they arrived, and cook or eat them within a day or two of purchase.
Spicy Oyster Stew: A New Year Tradition
Seafood simmered in a rich, flavorful broth until everything is perfectly tender and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen
Spicy Caramelized Bacon Wrapped Smoked Oysters
Low, slow smoke deepens oysters' natural brininess into something complex and genuinely irresistible.
Photo credit: Noshing With the Nolands
Fried Oysters Recipe
Golden-crisp on the outside and tender and briny on the inside, fried oysters are a Southern classic that's surprisingly satisfying to make at home. A recipe worth mastering.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Commander's Palace Oyster Rockefeller Recipe New Orleans
Oysters on the half shell baked with a rich spinach and breadcrumb topping, a classic New Orleans appetizer that's more approachable than it looks.
Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes
Oyster Stew Recipe
Seafood simmered in a rich, flavorful broth until everything is perfectly tender and the flavors meld together beautifully. A warming one-pot meal that's worth making on a regular basis.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
The perfect brunch oyster bake
Oysters and savory toppings baked together until warm and bubbling, with minimal prep time for a result that feels genuinely special.
Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table
Oyster Po Boy Recipe
Crispy fried oysters on a soft roll with all the classic dressed toppings make a sandwich packed with briny, crunchy flavor. A New Orleans staple worth making at home.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Oyster Dressing Recipe
Briny oysters worked into a classic bread dressing give it a rich, savory depth that makes this a holiday side worth keeping on the table year-round.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters on the half shell baked with a rich spinach and breadcrumb topping, a classic New Orleans appetizer that's more approachable than it looks.
Photo credit: Noshing With the Nolands
Garlic Herb Butter Grilled Oysters
Oysters cooked directly on the grill with garlic herb butter soaking into the shell makes every bite incredibly savory. A cookout showstopper that's straightforward to pull off.
Photo credit: BBQing with the Nolands
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