Bring a little gourmet goodness home with these quick and delicious oyster recipes. They may be a luxury, but they’re also surprisingly easy to prepare.
All that stands between you and a wonderfully fancy dinner is a good shucking knife and a glove! So, what’s stopping you?
Go for an elbows-on-the-table recipe like the oyster po’boy or keep it classy with a grilled oyster appetizer that’s dripping with white wine and butter sauce.
Whatever your taste or dinner attire, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried at least one of these oyster recipes.
1. Fried Oyster Po’Boy
Grab a napkin because this sandwich is packed!
These pan-fried oysters are dipped in buttermilk and cajun seasoning to make their crunchy batter even more flavorful.
In true New Orleans fashion, you’ll want to serve this on a French roll. Then drizzle on the creamy remoulade sauce and have at it.
2. Smoked Oyster Spread
Looking to try a new appetizer for your upcoming soiree? Go with this easy four-ingredient oyster recipe.
This creamy, savory spread has a slight hint of heat and a little tang from the Worcestershire.
Spread it on some crackers or top it on crostinis. Both are equally good.
3. Oysters Rockefeller
With this restaurant-style Oysters Rockefeller, you can indulge without the pricey bill.
You’ll top each oyster with a simple creamy spinach sauce and a sprinkle of bread crumbs. Pop those babies in the oven for a few minutes, then it’s Rockefeller time.
These are a great addition to a party spread and simple enough to make for yourself.
4. Homemade Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce is a prime ingredient in many Asian dishes. But did you know you can make it yourself?
It’s true, and there’s really not much to it. All you need are some quality oysters, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and salt.
The sauce will last only a handful of days in the fridge so prepare to use it up.
If you need a little inspiration, some of the best Chinese recipes, like Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce or chow mein, are a great place to start.
5. Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce
When you’re grilling out with friends this summer, add this recipe to the mix. It’s crazy-easy, but sure to wow!
Each oyster half shell gets a dollop of a garlicky, white wine-infused butter then grilled to perfection.
You may want to pick up an extra dozen. These things get slurped up fast.
6. Southern Cornbread and Oyster Dressing
This homestyle dish is one of those Southern delicacies you’ve got to try at least once in your life.
It’s a savory stuffing that’s a far cry from the dry stuff many of us are used to.
Breadcrumbs, cornbread, celery, and onions make up the base. Meanwhile, it’s overflowing with meaty oysters.
7. Chinese Deep Fried Oysters
These oysters are delightfully crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. And the sweet and tangy dipping sauce is the perfect match.
To save yourself some hassle, buy some shucked oysters and the process will go a lot smoother.
8. Spicy Butter and Herb Baked Oysters
This is one of my favorite ways to bake oysters.
They have a crumbly topping for some added texture. Then there’s the spicy butter that packs a kick with hot sauce, cayenne, paprika, and chili flakes.
The best part? The whole thing only takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
Oh, and here’s a pro tip: place the oysters over rock salt so they heat evenly and stay in place.
9. Oysters Kilpatrick
Bacon lovers, I’ve got the oyster recipe for you.
Oysters Kilpatrick is a tangy, spicy, briny treat that tops each half shell with some smoked bacon.
These are best grilled, but you can use the broiler too. And if you feel like giving it another level of flavor, try adding a bit of blue cheese to the mix.
10. Asian Oyster Dressing
Looking for an easy seafood recipe that will dazzle your tastebuds? This is it!
It’s amazing how sophisticated yet simple this dish is.
You’ll make an umami vinaigrette featuring soy sauce and rice vinegar. Drizzle it on top of oysters and serve.
This is a great way to spruce up oysters when you want to enjoy them raw.
11. Fried Oysters with Panko (Kaki Furai/Kaki Fry)
I try not to make it a habit of eating too much fried food. But when I do splurge, I do it right with recipes like this.
Panko breadcrumbs have a nice crisp texture that doesn’t overwhelm the succulent oysters with breading.
Serve this with a dipping sauce or a wedge of lemon to appreciate these briny delights.
12. Oyster Casserole
Oyster casserole is a fun one for special occasions.
The bottom layer is full of plump oysters, veggies, garlic, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. All of which is swimming in a rich creamy sauce.
For the top, there’s a nice crisp layer of buttery panko breadcrumbs.
13. Garlic Oysters
You can never go wrong with garlic and these oysters are full of it.
The simple topping of garlic butter and parmesan is easy enough for beginners. Yet, it’s tasty enough to appease diehard oyster lovers, too.
When preparing the oysters, loosen them up from their shelf after you pop them open. That way you can slurp up all the goodness without resistance.
14. Bacon-Wrapped Oysters
Bacon-wrapped oysters are the kind of seafood appetizer everyone needs in their life.
This five-ingredient recipe is about as easy as they come. Using canned oysters, you’ll wrap each meaty morsel with a strip of bacon and bake.
How easy is that?
15. Grilled Oysters with Bacon Cayenne Butter
If you want to take your surf and turf up a notch, try this decadent oyster recipe.
Dripping with flavor from a rich and spicy bacon butter sauce, this is one indulgence you’ll crave again and again.
Grab a beer and fire up the grill. It’s time to treat yourself and a couple of pals to these incredible oysters.
16. Oyster Cornbread Dressing
This is another phenomenal way to do oyster cornbread dressing.
The cornbread soaks up all the liquid from the oysters and chicken broth to keep everything moist.
It’s savory, briny, slightly sweet, and totally scrumptious.
17. Fried Oyster Tacos
Have you tried oyster tacos yet? These things are an explosion of yumminess and fresh as the ocean breeze.
The cornmeal crust adds a nice texture to the smooth, soft oysters. Plus, I love the choice of grapefruit for the salsa and the hint of spice from the jalapeño.
The only thing missing is a cool, fruity margarita.
18. Grilled Oysters with Chipotle Bourbon Butter
There are a good number of irresistible seafood appetizers out there, but this one tops the list.
You can have these mouthwatering oysters ready in a mere 15 minutes. Simply add a slab of honey, chipotle, and bourbon butter on top, then grill.
The bourbon makes it a little boozy and decadent. Ah, it’s good to be an adult.
19. Three-Cheese Baked Oysters
Next game day, wow your friends with these scrumptious cheesy oysters.
They’re covered in a creamy mixture of bacon, spinach, and three kinds of cheese.
This may not be your typical game-day appetizer, but I doubt you’ll hear any complaints.
20. Easy Baked Oysters
If you’re new to making oysters at home, start with an easy recipe like this.
You’ll line up oysters on a half shelf on a baking pan, then top with some cheese and creole seasoning. Pop them into the oven for a few minutes and it’s time to eat.
21. Oyster Stew
This stew is more akin to chowder with its creamy, rich base and subtle hint of spice.
Unlike most stews, there’s not a ton of veggies, which is no problem at all because it’s jam-packed with oysters.
22. Adobong Talaba (Oyster Adobo)
Adobong Talaba is a Filipino-style oyster dish that’s surprisingly quick to make.
The recipe calls for cooking shucked oysters in soy sauce and rice vinegar with a ton of garlic.
Serve it by itself, pair it with some rice and veggies, or try one of these tasty Filipino side dishes.
23. Oysters Motoyaki
Motoyaki is a Japanese method for preparing oysters and is the inspiration for this recipe.
It takes a mayo base and infuses it with Asian flavors like miso, mirin, and soy sauce.
The final result is part briny, part creamy, and totally umami.
24. Oysters Casino with Bacon
You’ll feel like you hit the jackpot with this recipe.
Each oyster on the half shell gets an accompaniment of bacon and veggies fixed up with a touch of Worcestershire sauce.
These spicy, tangy, and savory oysters pair best with a glass of white wine.
25. Pan-Fried Oysters Oreganata
Another great way to cook oysters is Oreganata style. It’s an Italian-American way of fixing up seafood with breadcrumbs and oregano.
So you guessed it, they’re gorgeously crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.
But that’s not all, these breadcrumbs also have two types of Italian cheese. Plus, there’s a lemon butter mixture to drizzle over the top. Delish!