Oysters are perfect on their own plucked straight from their shell. Their sweet, briny flavor needs no complement. One oyster will give you your entire recommended daily intake of B12. But sometimes it’s nice to go the extra mile and create something special. The following recipes use minimal ingredients, and what is listed can easily be substituted for whatever you happen to have on hand.

Au Natural with Condiments

The easiest way to eat oysters also happens to be my favourite – freshly shucked and raw. Add a squirt of lemon, a garnish of spring onion (green onion if you’re American), a side of horseradish, tomato sauce (ketchup), and vinaigrette, some saltine crackers, and you have the perfect oyster meal.

Grilled Oysters with Herbed Butter Sauce

• 1 shallot, peeled and minced
• ½ cup white wine
• 8 tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh chives
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
• Salt
• 12 unshucked oysters

Sauté diced shallot in white wine then add everything else except the oysters. Grill the oysters in their unopened shells flat side up over hot coals until shells gape, 3-5 minutes. Discard any oysters that don’t open. Pry off top shells, keeping oyster juice from spilling, and cut lower muscles to release flesh. Arrange oysters in their shells on a platter. Spoon some sauce over each.

Oysters Dupont

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp. mixed herbs, such as basil, oregano, and rosemary
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 oz. feta, crumbled
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tbsp. capers
• 12 oysters on the half shell

Saute garlic in a little oil until golden. Stir in herbs and pepper then spoon over oysters. Sprinkle with feta and capers. Grill for 2- 4 minutes. Serve with hot sauce, lemon wedges, and toasted ciabatta or crackers, if you like.

Roasted Oysters with White Wine

• Oysters
• Dry White Wine
• Salt

Roast oysters in the dutch oven or grill them on the fire for around 5-10 minutes until shells gape. Pry off top shell without spilling the juice and spoon some wine over each oyster.

Grilled Oysters with Cheese

• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. minced parsley
• 12 oysters shucked
• ¹⁄₂ tsp. bread crumbs (crumble some toast onto it if you have no breadrumbs)
• Parmesan, pecorino, or gruyer

Combine garlic, butter, and parsley in a bowl. Put a knob of seasoned butter on each oyster and sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Broil until golden, 4–5 minutes. Sprinkle with a little cheese. Gruyer or parmesan work well.

For more Information:

• More camp recipes
• A map of the best campgrounds in Australia
• South Coast tourist information
• NSW south coast road trip
• Hiring camper vans in Australia

Happy Camping!