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Grilled oysters topped with golden breadcrumbs, herbs, and melted cheese, arranged with lemon wedges on a light background.

Smoky Gulf Grillers

Smoky BBQ grilled oysters topped with garlic-parmesan butter and crispy panko, perfect for seafood lovers and summer cookouts.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Grill with lid
  • Oyster knife
  • Heat-proof glove or towel
  • Small Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Platter

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 24 large live oysters scrubbed

Clarified Compound Butter

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and skimmed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp shallot minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley minced
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • black pepper to taste

Cheese-Crumb Topping

  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese finely grated
  • 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs lightly toasted

Optional Garnishes

  • chopped chives
  • lemon wedges
  • hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Create a direct and an indirect heat zone.
  • Mix all ingredients for the clarified compound butter and chill until slightly firm.
  • In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, and panko breadcrumbs for the topping.
  • Place oysters, cup side down, directly on the hot grill. Close lid and grill for 1–2 minutes until they just begin to pop open.
  • Use a glove and oyster knife to carefully pry open oysters, keeping the oyster and liquor intact in the bottom shell.
  • Top each oyster with about 1 teaspoon of the chilled butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the cheese-crumb mixture.
  • Return dressed oysters to grill over indirect heat, cover, and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until butter is bubbling and topping is golden.
  • Serve hot, garnished with chopped chives, lemon wedges, and optional hot sauce.

Notes

Use a bed of coarse salt on a baking sheet to stabilize oysters on the grill if needed. For extra smoke flavor, add soaked pecan or oak wood chips to the fire.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 180mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2mg
Keyword BBQ Oysters, Grilled Oysters, New Orleans, Seafood
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