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Delicious grilled oysters recipe on the half shell, char grilled to perfection. These oysters are juicy, spicy, and topped with garlic butter. Learn how to grill oysters at home with this easy recipe.
Char Grilled Oysters
One of my favorite things to char grill in summer is oysters—big, fat, juicy, and succulent oysters in the shell. Grilled oysters are incredibly easy to make, and the end result is so delicious that I can’t get enough of them.
I developed this recipe for grilled oysters after trying a similar dish at a seafood buffet recently. You only need a few simple ingredients to enhance the natural briny flavor of the oysters: finely chopped garlic, parsley leaves, salt, paprika, and butter.
It’s that straightforward. If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can bake them in the oven (just like grilled cheese prawn), and the results are just as tantalizing. Before serving, add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for extra zest.
Why You’ll Love Grilled Oysters
During summertime, few things are more fun than setting up an outdoor grill, shucking some fresh oysters, and grilling them over open flames, with other seafood such as grilled octopus, grilled shrimp and grilled fish. They’re savory, juicy, and tender, and you can enhance them with tasty toppings like garlic butter, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of paprika or cayenne pepper, finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Grilled oysters are perfect for meals with friends or family, adding a delicious touch to occasions such as backyard barbecues, beach gatherings, outdoor camping, or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
- Oysters – use fresh oysters on the half shell.
- Garlic and melted butter – make garlic butter mixture to put on top of the oysters.
- Parsley – chopped parsley leaves.
- Paprika or cayenne pepper – use cayenne pepper if you like extra heat.
- Lemon wedges – add a squirt of lemon juice before eating.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Grill Oyster In The Shell
Step 1: Shuck the oysters and set aside.
Step 2: Top the oysters with the chopped garlic and parsley leaves, and season with paprika to taste. Add some melted butter to each oyster.
Step 3: Grill on an outdoor grill for about 5-8 minutes or until they are cooked. Serve immediately. You can add a squirt of lemon juice before eating.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
Making grilled oysters at home can be daunting if you are a beginner! Don’t worry, here are some helpful tips to make it easier for you and ensure the grilled oysters turn out delicious:
- Use fresh oysters that are tightly closed – buy them on the day they are harvested.
- Carefully shuck them, keeping the juices in the shell – the secret trick about shucking oysters is to have the “flatter” side of the oyster facing you, then start at the hinge of the oyster (the pointed end of the oyster). Insert an oyster knife or a small knife at the hinge, twist the knife a few times and pop the shell open.
- Add flavor with garlic butter, herbs, and spices before grilling. Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grill shell-side down for 5-8 minutes and they’re cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rinse the oysters under cold running water and scrub the shells with a stiff brush to remove any dirt or debris.
Use a strong oyster knife and a towel to protect your hand. Insert the knife into the hinge of the oyster and twist to open it.
Use a sturdy, flat-edged knife, like a butter knife.
It depends on the size. My recipe takes 5-8 minutes, but bigger oysters might take 8-10 minutes.
Yes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes.
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to eat them, reheat them gently in the oven.
This recipe has 55 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Grilled Oysters
This dish is best served with grilled bread such as toasted baguette slices. This allows guests to soak up the juice from the oysters. For a wholesome seafood meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Grilled Oysters
Ingredients
- 6 big oysters on the half shell
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
- paprika , to taste
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- lemon wedges, optional
Instructions
- Shuck the oysters and set aside.
- Top the oysters with the chopped garlic and parsley leaves, and season with paprika to taste. Add some melted butter to each oyster.
- Grill on an outdoor grill for about 5-8 minutes or until they are cooked. Serve immediately. You can add a squirt of lemon juice before eating.
Notes
- Use fresh oysters that are tightly closed – buy them on the day they are harvested.
- Carefully shuck them, keeping the juices in the shell – the secret trick about shucking oysters is to have the “flatter” side of the oyster facing you, then start at the hinge of the oyster (the pointed end of the oyster). Insert an oyster knife or a small knife at the hinge, twist the knife a few times and pop the shell open.
- Add flavor with garlic butter, herbs, and spices before grilling. Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grill shell-side down for 5-8 minutes and they’re cooked through.
- If you bake these oysters, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nice recipe. Thank you for sharing as I always wanted to know how to grill oysters.
OMG so going to make these this weekend for Memorial Day. I know they are going to be amazing because it’s your recipe!
Thank you for sharing the wonderful recipe. I tried mine last night with coconut oil (only because there was no butter in my fridge) and it gave additional taste and aroma as appetizers.
Add some spinach and a few drops of Herbsaint to have an effect a lot like Oysters Rockerfeller.
I grew up in Biloxi, bought bags of oysters from kids in the East end (before the water got bad) and the folks living next door made excellent home brew. A couple of bags of oysters a couple of bottles of their brew … !!!
Great idea thanks for letting me know. :)