Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (2024)

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  • Cheese Recipes

By

Barbara Rolek

Barbara Rolek

Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.

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Updated on 02/13/24

Tested by

Diana Andrews

Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (1)

Tested byDiana Andrews

Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (2)

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Yield: 18 oysters

This authentic recipe for Drago's charbroiled oysters comes from the horse's mouth: Tommy Cvitanovich, who owns the famous seafood restaurant in New Orleans. The restaurateur developed the recipe more than 20 years ago in response to the raw oyster scare present at the time. Since oyster stock is the best liquid to cook seafood in, he says, he knew charbroiling oysters would produce a good result, especially since it was a take-off on his already popular grilled redfish.

His new menu item took off like a shot, and there is no denying that the freshness of the product made this dish a star: Still handpicked by their own fishermen, the oysters are delivered to the restaurant in Drago's own truck. In his own words, "This is the perfect dish for those who want to enjoy oysters in their unadorned formbut can't or won't eat them raw. Once you start eating these charbroiled ones, you won't be able to stop. Don't attempt this without freshly shucked oysters and an outdoor grill."

Our recipe follows Drago's instructions and celebrates the pride with which the restaurant has been serving this flavorful dish for years. After all, it was the hard-work ethic of immigrant Croatian fishermen that gave a boost to oyster farming in Louisiana, so they know a thing or two about freshness and flavor. The Cvitanovichs have generously shared other Croatian recipes like their stuffed cabbage recipe, fritters recipe, and apple strudel recipe through Klara Cvitanovich.

what you'll need to make this drago's grilled oysters recipe

A Good Grill
A Small Saucepan
A Cheese Grater

"Oysters are surely a treat any time, but prepared on the grill with this rich butter sauce takes them somewhere else completely. Be aware that there may be flare-ups on the grill when spooning the seasoned butter over the oysters as instructed." —Diana Andrews

Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (6)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) softened unsalted butter, more to taste

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 pinch dried oregano

  • 18 large oysters, freshly shucked on the half shell

  • 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 ounce grated Pecorino Romano cheese

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (7)

  2. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat. Ideally, the grill should hit 500 F.

    In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter. Mix the melted butter with the garlic, pepper, and oregano. Reserve in a small bowl.

    Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (8)

  3. Place the oysters on the half shell right over the hottest part of the grill. The oyster shouldn't be cut loose from the shell as they can slip and fall right through the grill.

    Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (9)

  4. Spoon enough of the seasoned butter over the oysters so that some of it will overflow into the fire and flame up a bit. The oysters are ready when they puff up and get curly on the sides, about 5 minutes.

    Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (10)

  5. In a small bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Top the oysters with the cheese mix and parsley. Serve on the shells immediately.

    Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (11)

How to Safely Shuck Oysters Open

Here are a few tips to safely shuck an oyster and avoid hand injuries or cuts:

  • Use a short knife or another thin-edged instrument for shucking. An actual oyster knife is great, which is nice because it has a guard around the blade to keep your hand from slipping, but a screwdriver (flathead, not Phillips), and even a table knife work as well. What's needed is something with a thin edge that you can work between the shells, but that is also strong enough to pry open the shells.
  • Have a kitchen towel or rag at hand to hold the oyster in place. Be aware that whatever you use will get stained and soaked in oyster juice.

Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (12)

What to Serve With Grilled Oysters?

  • French bread is recommended, but any crusty bread will be a great accompaniment, as it can help soak up the oyster juices and make a tasty bite. For a different approach, use homemade cornbread.
  • Homemade potato chips or potato wedges are also a neutral-flavored side dish that pairs well with the bold taste of grilled oysters.
  • Vinegar-based coleslaw and salads dressed in citrusy vinaigrette are perfect sides for oysters.

How to Throw a Restaurant-Style Seafood Feast at Home

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
301Calories
21g Fat
9g Carbs
17g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories301
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g27%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Cholesterol 125mg42%
Sodium 434mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 17g
Vitamin C 11mg55%
Calcium 115mg9%
Iron 7mg39%
Potassium 262mg6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Oysters
  • appetizer
  • eastern european
  • cookout

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Not Into Raw? Try This Authentic Drago's Charbroiled Oyster Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat charbroiled oysters? ›

In his own words, "This is the perfect dish for those who want to enjoy oysters in their unadorned form but can't or won't eat them raw. Once you start eating these charbroiled ones, you won't be able to stop. Don't attempt this without freshly shucked oysters and an outdoor grill."

What to do with jarred oysters? ›

Jarred oysters can be prepared using various cooking methods such as frying, grilling, steaming, or incorporating them into stews, soups, or casseroles.

What's the best way to cook raw oysters? ›

All you need is a pot with a steamer basket. Place the shucked oysters in the basket, set over boiling water, and cover to steam for 4-5 minutes until they are firm and opaque. Once cooked, season with lemon juice, garlic butter, herbs, or other flavors.

Are chargrilled oysters fully cooked? ›

Not to worry, they are thoroughly cooked. In fact, they have to cool down quite a while after they come off the fire they are so hot or you'll burn your lips/tongue. Yes. They are fully cooked.

Is it better to eat oysters raw or cooked? ›

Don't eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Fully cook them before eating, and only order fully cooked oysters at restaurants. Hot sauce and lemon juice don't kill Vibrio bacteria and neither does alcohol. Some oysters are treated for safety after they are harvested.

When should you not eat oysters? ›

The original advice is that you should: Only eat oysters in the eight months of the year that contain the letter “R” in the name, which means September through April. The other four months of the year — May through August — are off limits.

Do you rinse jarred oysters? ›

Pull the oysters out of their shipping containers and give them a very light rinse with cold water in the sink. Once done, lay them out on a baking sheet with a towel underneath if possible. Then place in the fridge. Avoid storing the oysters in a big pile and do not allow them to sit in freshwater.

Can you eat jarred oysters raw? ›

Chilled pre-shucked oysters for raw consumption are riskier due to their susceptibility to temperature abuse during transportation and the subsequent rapid bacterial growth. Thorough cooking can destroy the foodborne pathogens in oysters. Susceptible populations should not consume raw or undercooked oysters.

Are jarred oysters any good? ›

For those that are new to oysters, or simply don't want to deal with shucking them, jarred oysters are the perfect option. Wandering Waders Premium Jarred Oysters come out of the container ready to eat for example, but are best when prepared as part of a cooked dish.

What is the most popular way to cook oysters? ›

Steaming oysters allows the steam to cook them through in just a few minutes without stripping them of their natural juices. If you boil oysters, you can lose out on those natural juices, resulting in chewy, dry meat.

What goes with oysters for dinner? ›

There's nothing quite like fresh oysters on the half shell. Keep it simple by pairing with potatoes or fresh corn. Or if you're feeling bold, you can also recreate the experience of your favorite steakhouse with a classic surf and turf theme. Dishes like flank steak and beef lettuce wraps are sure to do the trick.

What do you drink when eating raw oysters? ›

Champagnes typically have a yeasty, bready flavor that add some depth to the pairing. The bubbles of champagne or a dry sparkling wine also provide a textural contrast against the smooth texture of oysters. If there's any one classic pairing for oysters, it's the always-bright, always-crisp muscadet.

Are charbroiled oysters healthy? ›

Cooked oysters retain most of their nutritious elements such as zinc, calcium, iron and Vitamins A, B, C and D. They can be enjoyed in a variety of delicious ways such as charbroiled, grilled, broiled, fried, poached, sautéed and stewed.

How do you eat charbroiled oysters? ›

The best way to eat chargrilled oysters is to savor each bite by taking a small forkful of the oyster and topping, then enjoying the rich, savory flavors. Take your time and enjoy the experience of savoring each delicious bite.

How many oysters can you eat in a week? ›

Like with any type of food, it's still best to enjoy oysters in moderation and include them in a balanced diet. Most experts recommend eating no more than a dozen oysters a day. As you now know, oysters are a great source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, like zinc.

Are roasted oysters safe to eat? ›

Cooking oysters to an internal temperature of 140° F or greater for 4-6 minutes destroys the common microorganisms of public health concern. Oysters can be enjoyed in a variety of cooked preparations including steamed, stewed, roasted, baked, broiled, sauteed, poached, and fried.

Can I eat grilled oysters? ›

Ensure that your oysters are cooked using a reliable method, as this will kill any existing bacteria, including those on the shell. The most appropriate methods for cooking raw oysters include steaming, grilling, or poaching the oysters.

Can you chew grilled oysters? ›

We're often asked, “Are you supposed to chew oysters?” and we're here to tell you that despite what you may have heard, it's not recommended to swallow an oyster whole. Biting into the oyster allows flavorful juices to escape and enhances the overall savoring experience.

Are cooked oysters safe to eat? ›

Don't eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Fully cook them before eating, and only order fully cooked oysters at restaurants. Hot sauce and lemon juice don't kill Vibrio bacteria and neither does alcohol. Some oysters are treated for safety after they are harvested.

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