Easy Butter and Herb Baked Oysters

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 09/17/20
Easy butter and herb oysters recipe

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
  • Total: 30 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
422 Calories
28g Fat
27g Carbs
18g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 422
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 15g 77%
Cholesterol 136mg 45%
Sodium 312mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Protein 18g
Calcium 73mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These easy baked oysters are flavored with a buttery herb crumb topping. A little lemon juice adds zing to the oysters, and panko crumbs make the topping extra crunchy. 

A layer of rock salt or uncooked rice keeps the oyster shells from wobbling in the baking pan. 

If you prefer a variety of herbs, consider freshly chopped thyme leaves or fresh marjoram. For garlic flavor, see the tips and variations below the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 dozen fresh oysters (in the shell)
  • 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons, softened, divided)
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chives (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (finely grated)
  • Optional: sweet paprika
  • Garnish: fresh chopped parsley
  • 2 to 3 wedges lemon (for serving)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for easy butter and herb oysters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Preheat the oven to 425 F/220 C/Gas 7. Add a layer of rock salt to a rimmed baking sheet or substitute dry, uncooked rice. This will keep the oyster shells from wobbling.

    Salt
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Scrub the oyster shells with a stiff brush.

    Scrub oyster
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Carefully shuck the oysters over a bowl (to catch any liquids that might spill out). Run the knife along the bottom of the inside of the shell to loosen the oyster. If some of the oyster liquor does spill out, return it to the bottom shell. Discard the top shells and arrange the oysters with their liquid in the prepared baking pan.

    Shuck oysters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Add the panko crumbs and cook, stirring, until the crumbs are lightly browned.

    Herbs
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. In a bowl combine the remaining 4 tablespoons of softened butter with the snipped chives, lemon juice, and the lemon zest.

    Softened butter
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Top each oyster with a scant teaspoon of the butter-and-chives mixture and then sprinkle each one with the buttered panko crumbs.

    Oysters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  8. If desired, finish with a light sprinkling of paprika.

    Oysters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  9. Bake the oysters in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the oysters are cooked through and the topping is golden brown.

    Put on salt
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  10. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

    Oysters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Recipe Variations

  • Garlic and Herb Baked Oysters: Add a small, finely minced clove of garlic to the butter in the skillet. Cook in the butter for 1 minute before you add the panko crumbs and then continue with the recipe.
  • Grilled Herb and Butter Oysters: Preheat the grill to high heat. Prepared the oysters following the recipe above. Place the pan on the grill grate, close the lid, and grill for about 6 to 8 minutes.

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