This five-star recipe for Smoked Oysters will impress your friends and family, giving you great pride in your cooking abilities. You will be surprised how easy these are when you follow my step-by-step instructions and never have to buy canned oysters again.
It costs approximately $19.60 to make these oysters. The recipe makes six servings and costs around $3.26 to make.
Table of contents
Smoked Oyster
I usually order oysters at a restaurant. But I don’t always feel like going out or paying too much to enjoy something I love, so I started making these Smoked Oysters.
I didn’t realize how easy it could be to prepare such a simple yet delicious dish at home with a handful of ingredients. You will only need a few ingredients to make these Smoked Oysters, and I assure you this recipe is worth making!
What You’ll Love About Smoked Oysters:
- Simple Recipe: This is one of those easy recipes that uses a few simple ingredients in addition to the oysters.
- Smoky Flavor: Smoking the oysters adds a depth of irresistible flavor.
- Versatile Recipe: Serve the oysters over pasta, in soups and salads, or as an appetizer. They are a great addition to parties or special occasions.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $3.26
Recipe Cost: $19.60
- 24 fresh oysters in the shell – $18.72
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.84
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.02
- ¼ teaspoon paprika – $0.01
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper – $0.01
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in November 2023.
How To Smoke Oysters
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Prepare your smoker and raw oysters: Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. While you wait for the smoker to heat, rinse off your oysters in cold water, shuck them, and preserve half of the shell for each one.
- Boil your shells: Boil the shells you’re saving to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cook your oysters: Set them on a grilling sheet and put them in the smoker, cooking for up to 20 minutes. They should reach an internal temperature of 140° F.
- Mix your butter and spices: Combine your butter with the garlic powder and other spices in a microwave-friendly bowl and heat for 30 seconds, stirring every 10 seconds.
- Serve your oysters: Once fully cooked, place your smoked oysters in the melted butter with seasonings and set them on the cleaned half shell.
Recipe Variations:
- You can use hot sauce when preparing these Smoked Oysters, but it’s completely optional.
- I prefer cherry or applewood pellets when making this recipe, but other wood pellets that you have will work.
Storage Tips
Here’s a guide on how to store, freeze, thaw, and reheat smoked oysters:
Store:
- Refrigerate the smoked oysters within two hours of cooking.
- Store the smoked oysters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
Freeze:
- Freeze smoked oysters within two hours of cooking. You can freeze them for up to three months.
- Place the smoked oysters in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze the oysters for 1-2 hours or until they are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen oysters to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Thaw:
- Remove the frozen oysters from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat:
- Place the thawed oysters in a colander and drain off any excess liquid.
- Spread the oysters on a baking sheet and dry them with paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F (107 degrees C).
- Heat the smoked oysters for 6-12 minutes or until they are heated through.
Smoked Oysters Recipe FAQs:
1. Use light wood, such as cherry wood or applewood, to give the oysters a remarkable flavor that isn’t too overpowering. You don’t want to use strong wood chips that would take over the taste of the Smoked Oysters.
2. Take the extra time to clean the shells beforehand if you plan on serving your Smoked Oysters in the shell. You don’t want to leave the shell uncleaned because that could lead to cross-contamination.
3. You can do so much with these oysters! I like serving them with pasta, but some of my favorite ways are to add them to soups, stews, and more.
The temperature for smoking oysters will vary based on what you use to cook them. For example, in a pellet or water smoker, it’s best to use a temperature of up to 200°F.
However, if you use a grill, you’ll cook them at around 350°F, which can increase the risk of overcooking your oysters. Therefore, I suggest using a pellet or water smoker to achieve the best results when preparing your smoked oysters at home.
Want to make a meal out of your Smoked Oysters? Serve them with these incredible side dishes:
Air Fryer Asparagus: Prepare the tastiest asparagus to pair with your oysters.
Air Fryer Green Beans: Light, crispy, and delicious, these green beans are incredible.
Smoked Cream Cheese: This goes great on the side with the oysters and can even be used as a spread on a piece of French bread.
Smoked Oysters on Toast: I love serving this recipe on toast. It’s a satisfying dish that combines the rich, smoky flavor of smoked oysters with the crispy texture of toast.
These flavorful oysters can be served plain or with crackers and hot sauce. Additionally, they work well in pasta dishes, salads, soups, and stews.
More From Food Folks and Fun:
Smoked Oysters
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- saucepan
- Grilling sheet
- mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 24 fresh oysters in the shell
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
FOR SERVING:
- Hot sauce optional
Instructions
PREP SMOKER:
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
PREP OYSTERS:
- Rinse oysters in cold, clean water.
- Shuck the oysters and place the meat in a bowl.
- Keep half of the shells and discard the rest.
BOIL SHELLS:
- Boil shells in water for 10 minutes and dry.
SMOKE OYSTERS:
- Place the oysters on a grilling sheet or cooling rack.
- Smoke the oysters for 15-20 minutes or until they are cooked through. Their internal temperature should be 140° F.
MAKE BUTTER MIXTURE:
- Combine the butter, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and continue heating for 10 seconds until the butter is melted.
TO FINISH:
- When the oysters are ready, add the oyster meat to the melted butter mixture.
- Gently stir to coat the oysters in the butter.
- Add the butter-dipped oysters to the prepared shells.
- Serve with hot sauce, optional.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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