Description
Fire up the grill and treat your taste buds to these Smoky Lemon Garlic Grilled Oysters—an irresistible blend of briny oysters, buttery garlic, fresh lemon, and a smoky finish that’s perfect for summer nights or weekend gatherings. Whether you’re throwing a cookout or just craving seafood, this easy recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s one of the best easy dinner ideas, perfect for quick appetizers, and even better if you love seafood recipes that impress without taking hours in the kitchen. This dish hits all the right notes—bold, savory, and effortlessly gourmet.
Ingredients
12 large fresh oysters (in shell)
0.5 cup unsalted butter (melted)
4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.33 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 450°F).
2. Rinse the oyster shells under cold water to remove grit.
3. Carefully shuck oysters, keeping the meat intact and retaining the juices inside.
4. In a bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, zest, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the garlic butter mixture over each oyster.
6. Top each with a sprinkle of grated parmesan.
7. Grill oysters directly on the grates or use a foil ring for support.
8. Grill for 5–7 minutes, until butter bubbles and cheese is golden.
9. Remove carefully, garnish with parsley, and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
Make sure oysters are level on the grill to avoid spilling their flavorful juices.
For extra smokiness, add a few soaked wood chips to the coals before grilling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 oysters
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: smoky grilled oysters, lemon garlic oysters, seafood appetizers, grilled oyster recipe