Description
These Grilled Oysters are a delicious and unique seafood appetizer featuring succulent oysters topped with a flavorful kimchi butter. The smoky grill imparts a perfect char, while the spicy, tangy kimchi butter adds an exciting kick, complemented by fresh cilantro, hot sauce, and lemon wedges for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Kimchi Butter
- 1/4 cup kimchi, drained
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature
Main Ingredients
- 24 medium to large oysters
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Finely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Hot sauce, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Kimchi Butter: In a mini food processor, finely chop the drained kimchi until it reaches a finely chopped consistency. Add the room temperature butter and continue processing until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Alternatively, you can finely chop the kimchi by hand and mix it thoroughly with the butter in a medium bowl.
- Preheat Grill and Cook Oysters: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Arrange the oysters on the grill with their flat side facing up. Cover the grill and cook the oysters for about 5 to 7 minutes until they start to slightly open, indicating they are cooked through.
- Shuck and Season Oysters: Transfer the oysters to a cutting board. Using tongs or a thick dishtowel, hold each oyster securely. With an oyster knife in your other hand, carefully pry off the oyster lid. Cut the muscle along the flat side of the shell and loosen the oyster meat from the deep shell. Add approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the prepared kimchi butter and a tiny pinch of kosher salt to each oyster.
- Finish Grilling: Return the oysters to the grill, taking care to avoid spilling the oyster liquid. Grill them for about one minute more, or until the kimchi butter has melted and slightly infused the oyster.
- Serve: Transfer the oysters to a serving platter. Garnish with finely chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with hot sauce and fresh lemon wedges on the side for guests to add as desired.
Notes
- Using fresh, live oysters ensures maximum flavor and safety.
- If a mini food processor is unavailable, chop kimchi finely by hand to avoid large chunks in the butter.
- Be careful when shucking oysters to avoid injury; an oyster knife and protective gloves are recommended.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and lemon to taste when serving.
- Grilling the oysters with the lid on keeps them moist and enhances their natural juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Korean-American fusion
Keywords: grilled oysters, kimchi butter, seafood appetizer, Korean fusion, barbecue oysters
