Freshly smoked oysters are nothing like canned ones.
It’s like comparing canned tuna to sashimi-grade bluefin tuna.
Smoked oysters are juicy, and tender with a lovely smoky finish.
They are perfect as an appetizer, a snack, or a part of a meal. You can serve them in the shell, in a tangy vignette, or toss them through fresh pasta.
Unfortunately, I don’t have great access to fresh raw oysters so we don’t have them that often.
Occasionally I treat myself and order some in. I like to have a few fresh, but I usually, smoke and preserve the rest.
My wife is not a huge fan of fresh oysters, but she can’t get enough of them when they are smoked!
Smoking oysters completely changes the taste and most importantly the texture.
It transforms the oyster from being slimy and ‘weird’ to a more delicious texture and beautiful flavor. Read on to learn how to do it yourself!
Table of contents
My Two Methods For Smoked Oysters
I have two methods for smoking oysters.
The first method; you remove the oyster from the shell using an oyster knife. Then smoke the oysters on a tray. I like to use a try and oysters can fall between the grates.
The second method; you leave the oysters in the shell and smoke them. The recipe below first this method as I believe you get a better flavor.
Ingredients for Smoked Oysters
Oysters: Pick one to two dozen of your favorite oysters.
Serving Sauce: smoked oysters go well with a vinaigrette or butter sauce.
For the butter sauce, you need butter, garlic cloves, hot sauce to taste, parsley
For the vinaigrette, you need shallots and red wine vinegar.
How Long Do you Smoke Oysters in the Shell?
You need to smoke oysters for 35 – 50 minutes at 225°F
Smoking oysters in the shell does take longer than shucking completely, however letting them sit in their brine in the shell while smoking adds extra flavor.
What If You Don’t Have a Smoker?
If you don’t have a pellet grill or smoker you can always grill your oysters on the BBQ.
I set up my charcoal grill to smoke with either the charcoal snake method or a little wood chip smoker insert to smoke with my gas grill
Note: When smoking oysters in the shell, ensure you shuck the oyster and remove the top shell. The shell is too thick to grill completely closed.
What Temperature Do You Smoke Oysters At?
If you are using a gas, electric, charcoal, or pellet smoker you want to maintain a steady temperature of 225°F to smoke oysters.
How Good are Smoked Oysters For You?
Oysters are an excellent source of copper, iron, protein, vitamin D & zinc. They also contain high levels of phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, and Vitamin C.
They are also rich in antioxidants and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and healthy cholesterol. Canned oysters also have all the same great nutrients
What Sort of Wood Should You Use to Smoke Oysters?
When smoking oysters you don’t want to use strong wood. For this recipe, I am using a combination of alder and cherry wood.
These woods will not overpower the flavor of the oyster.
5 Ways to Enjoy Your Oysters
There are many ways to eat your smoked oysters. Below are some of our favorites.
Serve With a Sauce
There is two sauces that go well with these smoked oysters. A butter sauce and a mignonette vinaigrette. You can find the recipe for each sauce below. All you need to do is add the sauce to the shell and enjoy. No plates are needed.
Charcuterie Board
These tasty little morsels are perfect for a charcuterie board. Pick some of your favorite types of cheese, grab some crackers and you have a declious board.
Pizza
Smoked oysters are a flavor bomb. Rather than using anchovies throw some oysters on the pizza for a delicious smoky umami flavor.
Pasta.
For a simple dinner top pasta with a handful of smoked oyster, butter, cracked black pepper, and a dash of olive oil.
See more of my favorites sides to side with oysters here
Easy Smoked Oysters Recipe
Smoked Oyster Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker
- Wire rack
- Oyster shucking knife
Ingredients
- 24 Oysters
Butter Sauce( Optional)
- 2 Garlic cloves
- Hot sauce to taste
- 1/2 Bunch Parsley
- 500 grams Unsalted Butter
Mignonette Vingrette (Optional)
- 2 whole 2 shallots peeled
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Set up your smoker according to your manufacturer's instructions. Pre heat to 225°F.
- Shuck your Oysters. Try to save as much of the liquid as possible. Then put the oyster back in the shell
- Arrange your oysters on a wire rack.
- Once your smoker is burning clean smoke and sitting at 225°F put your oysters in. Smoke for 30 – 45 minutes or until the oysters have become firm and your desired texture.
Serving Your Smoked Oysters
- We recommend serving with either serve a butter sauce, a vinaigrette or just plain
- Butter Sauce: Melt the butter over medium heat until melted. Mix in hot sauce to taste and finely chopped garlic and parsley.
- Vinaigrette: Cut the shallots finely. Add the red wine vinegar and mix well
- Either eat the oyster straight away or put them in a jar of oil and store them in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze what you don't eat
Notes
When smoking oysters you don’t want to use strong wood. For this recipe, I am using a combination of alder and cherry wood. The Temperature for Smoking Oysters You need to maintain a steady temperature of 225°F when smoking oysters.
How to Serve Them
Not sure how to eat your smoked oysters? They are best if you place them in oil once smoked. You can eat them as they are or we like to blend them into a yummy pate.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
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This method had our oysters coming out so delicious! Amazing.
thanks Jake!! stoked you and the guys at goodfoods liked our oyster recipe!!! Home smoked ones are waaay better than canned oysters!
I love Oysters but I’ve never been able to cook them myself. This recipe allowed me to do just that and had them coming out tasting amazing! Great recipe!
thanks Tim!! Stoked you enjoyed the oysters!! what sort of smoker do you use for them? I have some other awesome smoked seafood if your keen on that!
I have never smoked, or cooked on the BBQ. This weekend will be the 1st. I bought a whole Flounder, an Ocean Brown Trout, and 19 oysters.
I saw how you do the Oysters, but can you help me with a whole fish? Thanks!
Hiya Gloria! Sounds you are going to have a great seafood feast! Here are some tips on smoking trout, https://www.simplymeatsmoking.com/recipes/simple-smoked-trout/ let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Hello Charlie, I live in the Pacific Northwest, and have my own oyster beds. My wife does not like oysters – until we followed your smoked oyster recipe – now they are a hit! Absolutely delicious! Thanks for posting this recipe, and the additional ideas on how to eat the oysters!
Hiya Ed!!
Stoked to hear you and your wife enjoyed the smoked oysters!!!! Also so jealous, I would love have some oyster beds of my own! What did you serve the oysters with?