As the clock ticks closer to New Year's Eve, it's hard not to feel excited about ringing in the new year with loved ones. One of the most delightful ways to celebrate is by hosting a party featuring all the essentials—party hats, champagne, and perhaps the star of the evening: grilled oysters! Yes, these succulent seafood delicacies are not just tasty but also bring a touch of elegance to any gathering. Impress your guests with this simple yet impressive grilled oyster recipe, where they can personalize their oysters with their favorite seasoned butter. PGS Commercial grills are equipped with all the features you need to grill like a pro.

If you're familiar with oyster preparation, you know how labor-intensive shucking can be. For those who aren't, shucking involves prying open the tough shell to reveal the tender meat inside, typically done with a specialized shucking knife. However, we’re here to share a secret: grilling oysters eliminates the need for shucking altogether! Our mouthwatering recipe allows you to effortlessly cook them on your grill in just about two minutes. As the heat does its magic, the oysters naturally pop open, releasing their delicious salty liquid. Adding your preferred seasoned butter, such as white wine butter, Parmesan butter, or garlic herb butter, takes the flavor to another level. Let's get started on grilling these oysters to perfection.

The Finest Oysters for Grilling

Oysters come in various sizes, but large oysters are ideal for grilling. Interestingly, oysters are classified based on the ocean they inhabit. Atlantic oysters, such as Blue Points and Wellfleet oysters, boast a larger shell and a briny taste. On the other hand, Pacific oysters like Hama Hamas and Blue Pools are slightly smaller and have a sweeter flavor profile.

Preparing Oysters for Grilling

Buy Fresh Oysters: It's best to purchase oysters on the day of your event or shortly before serving. Freshness is key to ensuring great taste and texture. Avoid oysters that emit a fishy odor; discard them immediately. Clean each oyster thoroughly with a brush and cold water to remove any dirt, mud, or debris.

Storage Tips: Keep the oysters chilled on ice, covered with a damp tea towel, and stored in the refrigerator. Avoid wrapping them in plastic or placing them in an airtight container.

Prepare a Serving Platter: Set up a platter by spreading small beans, rice, or kosher salt on it to create a stable surface for the oysters' uneven shells.

Preheat the Grill: Ensure your PGS grill is preheated to medium-high heat for optimal heat distribution.

Arrange Oysters: Place the oysters with their bellies facing down on a sheet pan lined with kosher salt. Alternatively, you can use crumpled aluminum foil to create small pockets for the oysters to sit evenly and prevent juices from escaping.

Grill the Oysters: Once the grill is hot, use tongs to place the oysters directly on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about three minutes. The oysters will begin to open slightly when ready. Use tongs to transfer them to the sheet pan.

Open the Oysters: Once cooled enough to handle, insert an oyster knife into the opening and twist gently to pry it open. Aim to retain the oyster liquor, which adds flavor. Remove the oyster meat from the shell. Discard any oysters that don't open, as they may not be safe to consume.

Add Seasoned Butter: Top the oysters with seasoned butter and return them to the grill for a few more minutes until the butter melts and becomes bubbly with the oyster liquor.

Serve Hot and Bubbly: Transfer the cooked oysters to the prepared platter and serve immediately.

Seasoned Butter Recipes to Elevate Your Grilled Oysters

Seasoned butter is what truly transforms this dish. While plain salted butter is delicious, adding savory herbs, spices, and citrus notes takes the flavor to the next level. Simply mix all ingredients until smooth, shape into a roll, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to grill. Slice the butter into coin shapes to place on the oysters. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, cheeses, and ingredients to craft your personalized seasoned butter. Creating your own unique recipe could even be one of your New Year's resolutions!

Garlic and Herb Butter

This quick and easy recipe offers a spicy kick with cayenne and black peppers.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1 clove minced garlic

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives

• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions: Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.

Basil and Parmesan Garlic Butter

This rich butter recipe is both creamy and decadent with a hint of citrus.

Ingredients

• 1 stick softened unsalted butter

• 2 cloves minced garlic

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• Pinch of salt

• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (to sprinkle on cooked)

Instructions: Combine all ingredients except Parmesan and mix until smooth. Sprinkle Parmesan on as soon as the oysters are removed from the grill.

White Wine Butter

This luxurious butter incorporates white wine to enhance the grilled oysters beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 stick softened unsalted butter

• 1 clove garlic minced

• 1 tablespoon dry white wine

• 1 tablespoon chives chopped

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions: Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.

Side Dishes That Complement Grilled Oysters

Grilled oysters pair beautifully with crusty bread. Reserve the seasoned butter to spread on the bread or encourage guests to use it to soak up the flavorful oyster juices. Potato wedges, a fresh green salad, pasta salad, or steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make excellent accompaniments while adding color to the table.

PGS Grill Legacy T-Series Ideal for Multifamily Industry

The Legacy T-Series stands out as the top choice for the multifamily industry. Designed for heavy daily use, these commercial grills are built to last and are commonly found in places like condominiums, apartment complexes, swimming pools, and other community gathering spots. Features such as the one-hour gas flow timer, lift-assist handle, and easy accessibility make the Legacy T-Series the perfect grill for preparing everything from simple burgers and hotdogs to gourmet dishes like grilled oysters. With a top-of-the-line grill and tools, you can focus more on enjoying the festivities and the food!

Whether you're cooking for family and close friends or hosting a grand New Year’s Eve celebration, you can trust that your PGS Grill Legacy T-Series will help you prepare unforgettable meals. Cheers to a new year and a new grill!