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.
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.
What do I need to make Garlic 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.
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.
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.
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.
When the butter is somewhat hardened, add a small spoonful of the mixture to the top of each oyster.
Then sprinkle the topped oysters with grated Romano cheese. The oysters can be refrigerated after stuffing, so you can make them ahead of time.
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
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.
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.
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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Garlic Oysters – A Restaurant Classic
Ingredients
- 12 Oysters fresh oysters opened before use
- 2 tbsp garlic fine chop
- 4 ounces butter
- 1 tsp Italian Parsley fine chop
- ¼ tsp granulated onion
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Romano cheese grated
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!
Roger
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.
David Patteron
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
Chef Dennis Littley
yes that is correct, there’s a lot of flavor in the juice
Bonnie
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
Chef Dennis Littley
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the garlic oysters Bonnie and thanks for the great review!
Stuart cooney
Is that 400 deg cel or Fahrenheit
Chef Dennis Littley
I’m in the US so temps will always be F.
Jo
This would be wonderful for date. What a fancy meal, so simple to make and so delicious!
Natalie
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!
Jessica (swanky recipes)
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!
Jess
Wow! What a delicious staple. My boyfriend LOVES oysters. I’ll have to share this recipe with him. He’ll love it!
Amanda
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!
Tara
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!
Chef Dennis Littley
thank you for the great review and I’m very happy to hear you and your mom enjoyed my oyster recipe!
Marisa F. Stewart
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.
Mikayla
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!
Çitra's Home Diary
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 🙂
Linda
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.
Paige
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!
Katerina | Once a Foodie
What a fabulous recipe perfect for the holidays! Thank you for sharing all the different methods to open oysters – so helpful! Happy New Year!
Janeane Davis
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.
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
My husband would really love to try these. He is such a huge fan of anything oyster!
Lynndee
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.
melissa chapman
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.