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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Appetizers

    Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic

    Published: Dec 26, 2019 · Modified: Mar 21, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

    6.4K shares
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    4.84 from 37 votes
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    Pinterest image for Garlic Oysters

    Garlic Oysters were one of the most popular appetizers on my restaurant menu years ago at the Jersey Shore. You may not find these on many menu’s but this restaurant classic is sure to be a welcome addition to your dinner table for the holidays and beyond.

    Garlic oysters on a white plate with lemon slices and parsley

    Oysters have always been popular but it seems that they’ve become the most sought after seafood item in many restaurants. No longer reserved for special occasions more people are enjoying oysters at their favorite restaurants. 

    And the truth is you can buy oysters for a lot less than you’ll get charged at restaurants and the hard part of opening oysters isn’t as difficult as you think.

    Table of Contents:

    • What do I need to make Garlic Oysters?
    • Do I need to clean Oysters before opening?
    • How do I open oysters?
    • **With all the Methods**
    • Chef Dennis Tip:
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • More Seafood Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition

    What do I need to make Garlic Oysters?

    ingredients ot make garlic oysters in small glass bowls with a platter of unshucked oysters

    Let’s start by gathering our ingredients for this dish. In chef speak we call that the Mise en Place loosely translated into everything in its place. The ingredient list is short with the stars of the dish being the oysters and garlic butter. You can add your favorite seasoning and make these delicious mollusks just how you like them.

    If you’re staying away from butter (gasp) you can use your favorite butter substitute instead. 

    Do I need to clean Oysters before opening?

    Before opening the oysters place them in a bowl and allow cold water to run over them for about 5 minutes as you gently toss the oysters in the bowl. Dump the water out every now and then to make sure it is as clean as possible. When the water starts running clear you’re good to go.

    overhead shot of oysters in a stainless steel bowl with running water

    If the oysters are really dirty you may need to small brush to loosen up the dirt. You can also add some ice to the water to help loosen up more bits from the shells. The cubes will help dislodge bits from the shells and keep the oysters chilled.

    How do I open oysters?

    The way any true oysterman or chef would open the oysters is with an oyster knife.

    Lay the oyster flat in your hand and hold it in place. Insert the tip of the oyster knife into the “hinge” at the back of the oyster and gently twist the edge of the knife to pry it open. Carefully cut the muscle away from the shell by sliding the knife horizontally along the inside top of the shell. This method is really not difficult if you happen to have an oyster knife.

    The second method I read about and tried was using a paring knife. 

    Start at the front or side of the oyster (not the hinge) and gently insert the knife between the line where the top and bottom shells meet. Once it starts to open, twist the knife 90 degrees and cut the adductor muscle that connects the top and bottom shells. I tried this method and although some folks think its pure genius I see it as a way to get some pretty nasty cuts on your hands. I don’t recommend this method.

    The third (and recommended) method is using a flat head screwdriver. 

    A flat-head screwdriver works pretty much the same way an oyster knife will. And since just about everyone has a flat head screwdriver it makes it the perfect replacement for an oyster knife. 

    Find the shortest thick-bladed screwdriver you have and wash it thoroughly. 

    Lay the oyster flat in your hand and hold it in place. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the “hinge” at the back of the oyster and rotate the handle to pry open the oyster. At this point, you’ll need a pairing knife to cut the muscle away from the shell by sliding the knife horizontally along the inside top of the shell. 

    Easy Peasy!

    The fourth method is using heat.

    Place the oysters in a microwave-safe bowl and cover them tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave the oysters on high until shells open slightly. This should take about 1 to 1 ½ minutes.

    Remove the oysters as they start to open (discard any that do not open). Hold the partially opened oysters with hinge toward you, insert a paring knife between shells near the hinge, and twist the knife to open the oyster. Then carefully cut the muscle away from the shell by sliding the knife horizontally along the inside top of the shell and fully open the oyster.

    You can also place the oyster on a grill the direct heat will also open the oyster.

    As long as you remove the oysters from the heat as soon as they open you won’t cook the oyster. The shells are thick and it takes a bit longer to actually cook the oyster.

    **With all the Methods**

    After opening your oysters with one of the methods and removing the top shell, run the paring knife under the oyster and cut the muscle loose. Flip the oyster over and you’re ready to serve them on the half shell or stuff them.

    opened oysters on a foil lined pan

    Now that the oyster are open you’re ready to go. If you premade the garlic butter you can start topping them right away. If you still have to make the garlic butter place the oyster on ice or in the fridge until you’re ready to top them.

    garlic butter in saute pan on a wooden cutting board

    Add the butter and garlic to a heavy saucepan and allow it to simmer on low for 5 minutes. After the garlic has simmered, add the seasonings and chopped parsley to the pan. Place the garlic butter mixture in a bowl and allow it to chill to harden. Stir the butter from time to time to keep all the ingredients mixed.

    Oysters topped with garlic butter on a foil lined pan

    When the butter is somewhat hardened, add a small spoonful of the mixture to the top of each oyster. 

    oysters topped with garlic butter and grated romano cheese on a foil lined pan

    Then sprinkle the topped oysters with grated Romano cheese. The oysters can be refrigerated after stuffing, so you can make them ahead of time.

    overhead shot of garlic oysters on a white platter with lemon slices and parsley

    Place the oysters in a 400-degree F. oven for  15 – 20 minutes or under a broiler for 3-5 minutes.

    Chef Dennis Tip:

    When purchasing any seafood, shellfish especially, look for a safe food source. If the oysters are open prior to opening before their use, discard them.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    How do you cook garlic oysters?

    Top each oyster with garlic butter, then place the oysters on a baking sheet. Place on the center rack of a preheated 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or under the broiler for 3-5 minutes.

    Can I grill garlic oysters?

    Yes, you can. Place the garlic butter topped oysters directly on the grill grates, shell-side down, and close the lid. Cook until the garlic butter is bubbly and browning. About 3 to 5 minutes. 

    Can you freeze garlic oysters?

    Garlic Oysters will freeze very nicely. After adding the garlic butter and Romano cheese, place the sheet pan in the freezer allowing the oysters to freeze. After the garlic oysters have frozen solid place them in a container or Ziploc bag for storage. The garlic oysters will hold up frozen for 4-6 weeks

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    overhead shot of garlic oysters on a white platter with lemon slices and parsley
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    4.84 from 37 votes

    Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic

    Oysters have been gaining popularity in restaurants all over the world and serving them in your home isn't as difficult as you might think. My garlic oysters are a restaurant classic that you'll enjoy time and time again once you see how easy they are to make.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 72kcal

    Ingredients

    • 12 Oysters fresh oysters opened before use
    • 2 tablespoon garlic fine chop
    • 4 ounces butter
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Parsley fine chop
    • ¼ teaspoon granulated onion
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Romano cheese grated
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a heavy saucepan, place butter and garlic and simmer over low heat for 7-10 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and add all the seasonings except the Romano cheese.
    • Place garlic butter into a small bowl and refrigerate until butter is semi-solid, mixing occasionally to keep the garlic well-blended throughout the mixture.
    • Clean the oysters under running cold water to remove all of the dirt.  Discard any open oysters as they are dead and not safe to eat.
    • Find the shortest thick bladed screwdriver you have and wash it thoroughly. 
      Lay the oyster flat in your hand and hold it in place. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the "hinge" at the back of the oyster and rotate the handle to pry open the oyster. At this point, you'll need a pairing knife to cut the muscle away from the shell by sliding the knife horizontally along the inside top of the shell.
      Run the knife under and over to but release the oyster from the shell. Then turn the oyster over in the shell.
      ***Do Not Dump Out the Liquid in the Oyster!!
    • Place the opened oysters on a cutting board or baking sheet until they're all open and ready to fill with the garlic butter.
    • Spoon a small amount of the garlic butter over each oyster on a half shell, then sprinkle with Romano cheese.
    • Place Oysters on a baking sheet, then into a preheated 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or under the broiler for 3-5 minutes.
    • Place any of the butter that has drained from the oysters back over them before serving.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Roger

      January 02, 2021 at 5:39 am

      Bought a box of oyster from a market in France to take to a New Year’s Day lunch party….the host had already bought two boxes, so I’ve been looking for a recipe to use up the extra two dozen! You’re recipe looks just right. And I’ll make sure not to cook them at 400 degrees c.

      Reply
    2. David Patteron

      December 10, 2020 at 9:44 am

      Chef Dennis,
      When you state “***Do Not Dump Out the Liquid in the Oyster!”, are you implying that we leave it in the shell with the oyster all the way to the point where the butter is applied?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 10, 2020 at 10:57 am

        yes that is correct, there’s a lot of flavor in the juice

        Reply
    3. Bonnie

      December 09, 2020 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      Followed the recipe and it was really delicious! This is the first time that I had oysters to cook. I’m very pleased with the outcome and would repeat it if I got another bonanza of oysters in the future

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 10, 2020 at 8:30 am

        I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the garlic oysters Bonnie and thanks for the great review!

        Reply
    4. Stuart cooney

      September 24, 2020 at 11:31 pm

      Is that 400 deg cel or Fahrenheit

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 25, 2020 at 7:14 am

        I’m in the US so temps will always be F.

        Reply
    5. Jo

      February 03, 2020 at 6:46 am

      5 stars
      This would be wonderful for date. What a fancy meal, so simple to make and so delicious!

      Reply
    6. Natalie

      February 03, 2020 at 5:56 am

      5 stars
      I LOVE oysters but I never prepared them at home. My hubs and I always go to a restaurant to have them. With your recipe and all the details and tips how to prepare them this will change. I must make this for Valentines for me and my hubs. I bet this will surprise him. Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Jessica (swanky recipes)

      February 02, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      I live in New Orleans and oysters here are everywhere. Several times I’ve put the hubs to work to shuck them. We have friends visiting us in a few weeks for Mardi Gras and this would be really fun to treat them to with a hurricane drink!

      Reply
    8. Jess

      February 02, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Wow! What a delicious staple. My boyfriend LOVES oysters. I’ll have to share this recipe with him. He’ll love it!

      Reply
    9. Amanda

      February 02, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      I’m a huge oyster fan and always order them when I’m out, so I’m super excited to have such a tasty recipe I can make at home!

      Reply
    10. Tara

      February 02, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      I rarely have oysters just for the fact I am so picky about how they are done. I tried this recipe this past weekend with my mom and it was perfect!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        February 02, 2020 at 1:51 pm

        thank you for the great review and I’m very happy to hear you and your mom enjoyed my oyster recipe!

        Reply
    11. Marisa F. Stewart

      February 01, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Perfection!! We love our oysters and we’ve had them on the half, made them alla Rockefeller and fried them. I haven’t made them your way but the minute I find some good oysters we will. As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with garlic and butter. Now my oyster search begins.

      Reply
    12. Mikayla

      February 01, 2020 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      I love oysters, they’re in abundance here on the northern California coast but usually they’re served raw at restaurants and I really don’t like them that way. I appreciate all your tips on opening and managing them, this is exactly the kind of oyster recipe I want to make at home. I’m so excited, thank you!

      Reply
    13. Çitra's Home Diary

      January 31, 2020 at 9:26 am

      I love enjoy oyster or clams or any shellfish from many places. And you make it even more delicious.And thank you for sharing how to clean them.. I might try to make at my kitchen sometimes 🙂

      Reply
    14. Linda

      January 31, 2020 at 1:28 am

      5 stars
      Each time we go for a summer camp, we always stop for fresh oysters. This year will be different since I’ll be making this recipe at home. Can’t wait to wow my family.

      Reply
    15. Paige

      January 30, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely LOVE that these are baked, because eating them raw is not my favorite! These look like something I might try for Superbowl this weekend!

      Reply
    16. Katerina | Once a Foodie

      January 03, 2020 at 5:39 am

      What a fabulous recipe perfect for the holidays! Thank you for sharing all the different methods to open oysters – so helpful! Happy New Year!

      Reply
    17. Janeane Davis

      December 30, 2019 at 10:01 am

      I have never made Oysters at home. I always get them when I eat out. You made it seem as if I could do these at home with ease. I am looking forward to trying it.

      Reply
    18. Tiffany La Forge-Grau

      December 27, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      My husband would really love to try these. He is such a huge fan of anything oyster!

      Reply
    19. Lynndee

      December 27, 2019 at 8:51 am

      Oh, yum! Those oysters look delish. As seafood lovers, we always order oysters when we go to our fave seafood restaurant here in the city.

      Reply
    20. melissa chapman

      December 26, 2019 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      My son and husband love seafood and this would be a great dish to serve them. I rarely see oysters but if i do this is a great way to serve them.

      Reply
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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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