Broiled Oysters With Tasso Breadcrumbs Recipe

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

6

For Christmas or New Year's, broiled oysters are a terrific appetizer. Smooth, briny oysters are topped with a combination of sourdough crumbs, butter, pork, scallions, garlic, and beer for an explosion of flavor and texture that's sure to leave everyone wanting more. Broiled until golden brown, they're buttery, salty, savory, and incredibly delicious. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce to bring brightness and heat to this crowd-pleasing dish.

These briny, broiled oysters are ready in just 30 minutes—which is ideal since you may need to make more than one tray of these finger foods.

Ingredients for Broiled Oysters with Tasso Breadcrumbs

To make these oysters, you'll need:

Sourdough bread: Pulsed to create soft breadcrumbs.
Unsalted butter: Binds the breadcrumb topping and adds a rich flavor.
Chopped pork tasso: A salty, spicy cured meat popular in Cajun cuisine. If needed, substitute with traditional ham or sausage.
Scallions: Adds a bright, oniony bite.
Garlic: For depth of flavor.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Seasons the breadcrumb topping.
Lager beer: Adds moisture and flavor to the topping. Can substitute with other types of beer, or chicken or vegetable stock if needed.
Rock salt: Large crystals of salt that help keep the oysters in their place while cooking.
Oysters on the half shell: When buying oysters, make sure they smell fresh, and are refrigerated or stored on ice.
Lemon wedges and hot sauce: For serving.

How To Make Broiled Oysters with Tasso Breadcrumbs

Serving fresh oysters was never so easy (or delicious). Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare oven: Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat.
Step 2. Make breadcrumbs: Pulse bread pieces in a food processor to pea-sized crumbs. Melt butter in a skillet and add breadcrumbs, pork tasso, white parts of scallions, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper; cook until browned. Add beer.
Step 3. Prepare rock salt: Spread rock salt on 2 baking sheets.
Step 4. Assemble oysters: Arrange oysters evenly on salt. Top each with breadcrumb mixture. Broil 1 pan at a time until golden.
Step 5. Garnish, and serve: Sprinkle with scallions and serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce.

How Long Can I Store Fresh Oysters?

Fresh oysters should ideally be consumed within two days of buying them, although they can remain fresh for up to seven days in the refrigerator when stored well at the proper temperature.

When storing, cover with a damp paper towel or cloth, allowing the oysters to breathe (avoid airtight containers for this reason). Check for any open shells before shucking. If you notice any cracks, give the oyster a tap. If the shell snaps shut, it's alive. If it remains open, discard it.

What To Serve with Broiled Oysters with Tasso Breadcrumbs

This satisfying appetizer makes the perfect starter for any celebration. Serve alongside any of these other favorite appetizer recipes and you're guaranteed to have everyone singing your praises.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Broiled Oysters

These oysters are best served fresh after broiling. If you do have any leftovers, reheat in a preheated 400°F oven until hot throughout (an internal temperature of 165°F) before serving.

More Oyster Recipes You'll Love

If you love oysters like we do, you'll want to keep these recipes on hand:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

4 to 5 thick slices day-old sourdough bread, crusts removed, bread torn into 1-in. pieces
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 oz. finely chopped pork tasso (about 1 cup)
1 bunch scallions, white parts finely chopped (about 1/4 cup) and green parts reserved
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic (3 medium garlic cloves)
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup lager beer (such as Miller Lite)
1 (4-lb.) pkg. rock salt
36 oysters on the half shell
Lemon wedges and hot sauce, for serving

Directions

Prepare oven:

Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat.
Make breadcrumbs:

Place bread pieces in a food processor, and pulse until biggest pieces are pea-size, 10 to 15 pulses. (You will need 3 cups of breadcrumbs.) Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add breadcrumbs, pork tasso, white parts of scallions, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until breadcrumbs begin to toast and tasso begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Add beer. Cook, stirring constantly, until beer has been absorbed by bread and mixture is moist but not wet, about 15 more seconds.
Prepare rock salt:

Spread rock salt evenly on 2 rimmed baking sheets.
Assemble oysters:

Arrange oysters evenly on salt. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of breadcrumb mixture onto each oyster. Broil 1 pan at a time in preheated oven until breadcrumb mixture is golden brown, about 4 minutes.
Garnish, and serve:

Thinly slice green parts of scallions; sprinkle over broiled oysters. Serve oysters hot with lemon wedges and hot sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good substitute for pork tasso?

Pork tasso is a specialty of Cajun cuisine that may be hard to find, depending on where you live. If needed, substitute with standard ham or sausage.
What if I do not have rock salt?

If you can't find rock salt, bake the oysters on a bed of kosher or coarse salt, or crinkled tin foil to help keep them in place.
Are broiled oysters fully cooked?

Yes—oysters cook quickly. By the time the topping is golden brown, the oysters will be fully cooked throughout.