Grilled Oysters Recipe with Beer Butter
- Published
- 17 comments
This tasty Grilled Oysters Recipe cooks in minutes over an open fire, simmering in a delicious herb beer butter. Once you try these, you won’t eat oysters any other way.
One of my favorite parts of any meal is the delicious appetizers. It’s even better at a party with a wide array of options. If you’re similar, try my Corn Fritters or Honey-Garlic Chicken Wings.
Grilled Oysters
Grilled oysters are a popular appetizer of freshly shucked oysters on the half shell that are cooked over an open flame until done. They are delicious eaten as is, while they cook in their own salty juices. However, you can take it a step further, as I did, and add herb butter to take it over the top.
The procedure of grilling oysters is said to have been created at a seafood restaurant called Dragos in Metairie, Louisiana. The owner, Tommy Cvitanovich, credits the process to his father who came up with it back in 1969. This is a quick recipe and is an absolute show-stopper to serve to guests.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter in my cooking and baking to control the sodium content.
- Beer – A pilsner beer is best to use in this recipe. I always prefer craft as it’s more flavorful, however, a mainstream brand like Stella will work perfectly.
- Onion — I used a shallot, but a red, yellow, white, or sweet onion can also be used. In addition, some whole garlic cloves are used.
- Lemon — You’ll need fresh lemon wedges for garnish and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the beer butter.
- Herbs – I used a combination of parsley and tarragon. This is a perfect pair for seafood, especially oysters. You can also use chervil, thyme, or dill.
- Oysters — You need Fresh, unopened oysters. I used Blue Point, but any oyster breed will work.
How to Make Grilled Oysters with Beer Butter
Add the butter to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and whip on high speed for 5 to 7 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.
Next, add the beer, shallots, garlic, lemon, parsley, tarragon, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and mix on low until combined. Set it aside.
Shuck the oysters and place the shucked oyster onto the deeper half shell.
Once the grill is hot add the oysters on the half shell directly to the grill and add about 2 teaspoons of butter to the top of each oyster.
Close the oven and grill for 8 to 12 minutes or until the oyster is cooked and the butter is bubbling and lightly browned.
Remove from the oven and serve on a platter with lemon wedges.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Once these are done cooking they are meant to be eaten right away. However, you can make the butter up to 3 days ahead.
How to Store: Cover the oysters and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. These will not freeze well.
How to Reheat: Reheating the oysters can cause them to overcook and become chewy. However, you can add them back to a hot grill and heat them just until warm.
chef notes + tips
- These oysters can also be cooked on a middle rack under the broiler on high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked.
- Feel free to add these oysters to a hot smoker (350° to 400°) and smoke them for 8 to 12 minutes or until hot and cooked.
More Appetizer Recipes
Video
Grilled Oysters Recipe with Beer Butter
Ingredients
- 2 sticks of softened unsalted butter
- 2 ounces of pilsner beer
- 1 peeled and small diced shallot
- 4 finely minced cloves of garlic
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh tarragon
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 24 shucked blue point or your favorite oysters on the half shell
- sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the grill attachment into the KitchenAid Smart Oven+ and plug it in and heat to medium heat.
- Butter: Add the butter to a KitchenAid stand mixer with the paddle attachment and whip on high speed for 5 to 7 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Next add in the beer, shallots, garlic, lemon, parsley, tarragon, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and mix on low until combined. Set aside.
- Once hot add the oysters on the half shell directly to the grill and add about 2 teaspoons of butter right to the top of each oyster.
- Close the oven and grill for 10 to 12 minutes or until the oyster is cooked and the butter is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and serve on a platter.
Why pils instead of stout?
too heavy and bitter.