how long does it take to bbq oysters in the shell

Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. Set the oysters, with the cupped side down, directly on the grill grate. Cover the grill and cook until the oysters have opened and the meat is opaque and cooked through but not yet dried out, about 5 minutes for smaller oysters and 8 to 10 minutes for larger ones.

Flavor Variations

The fun thing about oysters with compound butter is that you can play with the flavors any way you wish. I wouldnt necessarily put blue cheese butter on an oyster, but anything with high acidity and bright, fresh flavors should work.

Kimchi butter couldnt be simpler: Combine chopped kimchi and butter. Ta-da! Its great on oysters, and also great stirred into noodle soups or melted on top of fried eggs or darkly charred grilled steak.

For a milder variation on garlic-parsley butter, I like to swap the parsley for basil and add a good amount of Parmesan. Parmesan-basil butter is especially good for broiled dishes, in which that Parmesan has a chance to brown and deepen in flavor a bit.

These are the kinds of dishes that can bring the East, the West, and the Southern coasts together. Now we gotta work on the middle of the country.

• 1 dozen oysters
• 4 to 5 ounces compound butter, such as garlic-parsley butter, kimchi butter, or Parmesan-basil butter
• Seaweed or kosher salt, for serving

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil, crinkling it up to create deep creases. Shuck oysters, discard top shells, and place them on foil-lined baking sheet, using foil to keep them upright so that juices do not spill out.
• Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange coals on one side of charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the highest heat setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil grilling grate.
• Place oysters directly over hot side of grill. Using 2 spoons, place 2 teaspoons (10ml) of compound butter inside each. Cover and cook until butter is melted and liquid is bubbling, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter lined with seaweed or moistened kosher salt (to keep oysters level; see note) and serve immediately. Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt

Special Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet, grill, oyster knife

How to Grill Oysters

FAQ

How long does it take to grill oysters in the shell?

How do you know when BBQ oysters are done?

Can you grill oysters unshucked?

Can you put whole oysters on the grill?

How long does it take oysters to cook on a grill?

Time: On average, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes for oysters to cook on the grill, depending on their size and heat source. If you grill oysters for too long, they get tough and lose their natural flavor. Keep a close eye on the grilled oysters as they cook. Remove them from the heat as soon as they are ready.

How do you Grill oysters on a gas grill?

To grill oysters in the shell, position the shell flat side up over direct heat and grill until slightly open. Then take them off the grill and open the shells. Remove the top and brush each oyster with butter. What is the best way to grill oysters? Preheat your charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat and clean the oysters under cold water.

How long do you cook oysters on a grate?

Check oysters for freshness by tapping each oyster gently on a work surface to make sure they close their shells when tapped. Discard any oysters that don’t close. Place the oysters on the grate with the deeper shell down to hold in the juices. Grill for 5-8 minutes.

How do you cook shucked oysters on a grill?

Place shucked oysters on a tray and set aside until ready to place on the grill. Prepare butter sauce by measuring out ingredients and slicing butter into thin slices. When the grill is hot and ready, place a small cast iron skillet or grill/oven-safe pan onto the grill. Add butter and allow to melt.