What To Serve With Oysters - 50 Best Side Dishes

Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Sabrina Currie

Fresh oysters are one of my favorite luxury foods. I love them raw on the half shell, barbecued, crispy fried, deep fried, in soup, stew and stir fry. From my personal experience in restaurant kitchens and at home, here's what to serve with oysters - 50 best side dishes to elevate your oyster feast! Oysters are a holiday classic so I've also included tips for planning a Christmas or New Year's Eve oyster dinner, and answers to the questions I get asked most.

Easy + Delicious Oyster Recipes

Looking for recipes for your oysters? Here are some of my top picks!

Planning A Holiday Oyster Dinner

Building a menu around oysters? Here's my easy formula!

1. Start raw: a platter of oysters on ice with mignonette sauce, lemon wedges, and hot sauce. Serve about 6 per person.
2. Add a cooked oyster: miso baked oysters, oysters mornay or steamed oysters with scallion soy sauce for guests who prefer them warm.
3. One fresh side: a crisp salad to cut the richness.
4. One cozy side: risotto, mashed potatoes or warm bread.
5. Something extra to make it a feast: shrimp cocktail, crab cakes or tuna ceviche.

Sauce For Raw Oysters

Fresh oysters on the half shell are a simple appetizer that is always in style. A perfect start to your dinner party, pop them open with an oyster knife and serve them up with classic French mignonette sauce, lemon wedges and hot sauce.

Crisp Sauvignon blanc, Chablis or a glass of bubbles is the traditional pairing with raw oysters. Sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon is a refreshing and bright alcohol-free option.

Classic Easy Oyster Vinaigrette Recipe (Mignonette)

Just a pinch of salt, pepper and sugar along with shallots and red wine vinegar make this tangy, light and totally delicious mignonette sauce for oysters. A truly classic recipe with great flavor and with just 12 calories per serving, this sauce is guilt-free!

Mignonette

Best Cocktail Sauce Recipe (Seafood Sauce)

This simple, zesty and spicy shrimp cocktail sauce makes a perfect match for raw oysters too. Top with a teaspoon of horseradish spiced cocktail sauce and a little fresh lemon for a crowd-pleasing sauce.

Cocktail Sauce

Sauces For Cooked Oysters

Cooked oysters can stand up to heartier sauces with bigger, bolder flavors. Tartar sauce, plain or flavored aioli, remoulade, soy sauce based dips and spicy chopped herb mixtures are all good choices. Whether your oysters are baked, broiled, BBQ'd, steamed or fried, these will take your oyster dinner to the next level.

Lemon Caper Aioli

Lots of bright citrus flavor along with extra flavor and texture from capers. This is an easy classic sauce for oysters that goes especially well with crispy fried oysters.

Lemon Caper Aioli

Tartar Sauce with Capers

This delicious Homemade Tartar Sauce with Capers & Dill is much better than the store-bought versions and extremely easy to make. A classic side dish for fried oysters and other seafood.

Caper Tartar Sauce

Easy Homemade Bacon Aioli Sauce (Bacon Mayonnaise)

Dip your oysters in this delcious bacon aioli for a flavor like bacon-wrapped oysters without the fuss! An easy, bold-flavored dip that keeps well in the fridge. Use leftovers on an oyster burger or make a cheater BLT.

Bacon Aioli

Remoulade Sauce

New Orleans style remoulade sauce is a classic condiment. This creamy sauce pairs perfectly with seafood. Only takes 10 minutes to prepare!

Remoulade Sauce

Fanny Bay Steamed Oysters with Sesame Soy Sauce

Easy steamed oysters on the grill (or in your oven). A simple, light and savory sesame and soy mixture makes a delicious drizzle over top. I choose the Fanny Bay oysters for a big meaty bite of briny sweetness. There is enough sauce for up to 24 oysters.

Sesame Soy Sauce

Persillade (Green Onion and Parsley Sauce)

A classic French sauce, Persillade is a parsley sauce that's loaded with fresh herbs and will brighten up any dish. Parsley, green onions, garlic, and lemon combine in just 5 minutes and are a great addition to an oyster party.

Persillade

Spicy Cajun Garlic Aioli

Easy zesty spicy garlic aioli sauce with a Cajun kick that goes great on ANYTHING! Perfect for dipping and spreading on sandwiches

Cajun Garlic Aioli

Cilantro Parsley Chimichurri Sauce

Refreshing and flavorful cilantro parsley chimichurri sauce is perfect for grilled meats, fish, and vegetables or as a condiment.

Chimichurri Sauce

Aioli (Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise)

The Italian words for garlic and oil are aglio and olio respectively and that is what this classic French sauce is. This recipe gently roasts the garlic for a mellow, sweet flavor that pairs exceptionally well with fried oysters and other seafood recipes.

Aioli

Bang Bang Sauce

A great spicy sauce, this homemade bang bang sauce is slightly sweet, mildly spicy, and will take your oysters, shrimp and other fried seafood from good to GREAT!

Bang Bang Sauce

What To Serve With Fried Oysters

So many great choices to serve with fried oysters. Go Southern and cook up some collard greens to pair alongside remoulade or go Greek with a crisp Greek salad and tzatziki sauce. Serve your fried oysters in a bun with tartar sauce and a side of coleslaw, French fries and baked beans or tuck them into tortillas with some mango cucumber salad for oyster meat tacos!

Green Salad And Orange Vinaigrette

Sometimes a simple salad is the perfect side dish. Refreshing, crunchy and bright with acidity from citrus fruits, this is the perfect crisp side for rich fried oysters.

Garden Salad With Orange Dressing

Soft Sourdough Burger Buns

Sourdough hamburger buns combine the tangy, complex flavors of sourdough with the softness of a traditional burger bun.

Sourdough Oyster Burger Buns

Creamy Southern Coleslaw

Creamy Southern Coleslaw with vinegar is more than just a salad in the south. It's also a beloved side and condiment. Southerners love coleslaw so much,

Check out this recipe

Miso Glazed Baby Bok Choy (Easy 10-minute Side Dish)

A silky miso glaze transforms tender baby bok choy into the easiest 10-minute side dish you'll be making on repeat! These gorgeous little greens make a stunning side dish or as a main on top of rice or noodles.

Miso Glazed Bok Choy

Mango Cucumber Salad

This mango cucumber salad is fresh and light, with delightfully sweet fruit and lots of herbs. Spoon it over oysters in tacos or serve it up as a great side dish.

Mango Cucumber Salad

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Crispy Prosciutto

These pan roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy prosciutto are just the ticket. Done in 20 minutes or less with just 6 ingredients, it's easy enough for any weeknight and special enough for the holiday season. Serves 4-6 people.

Pan Roast Prosciutto Brussels Sprouts

Black Eyed Pea Salad with Collard Greens

Black eyed pea salad with collard greens is a vegan side dish of black eyed peas tossed with garlic-ginger vinaigrette and fresh veggies. #blackeyedpearecipes

Check out this recipe

Southern Collard Greens Recipe

Tender and flavorful, these mouthwatering southern-style Collard Greens are slowly cooked with smoked ham hock, onion, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Super easy to make, this yummy collard greens recipe is the perfect comforting side dish perfect for family dinners and holidays like New Year's and Christmas.

Southern Collard Greens

Fennel & Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette | Peak to Plate

Sweet orange segments and thin slices of crunchy fennel drizzled in a tangy orange vinaigrette create a refreshing and vibrant winter salad. This seasonal dish offers a unique blend of flavors and textures, making it a perfect addition to your cold-weather menu. Give it a try today! Why You'll Love This Recipe: Simple Ingredients: This simple...Read On →

Check out this recipe

Quick Eryngii Mushrooms (3-ingredients)

Sauteed mushrooms add more umami flavor to a baked oyster dinner. With great Asian flavors, pair them up with Japanese or Chinese oyster recipes.

Soy Fried Mushrooms

What To Serve With Baked Oysters

Baked oysters can stand up to lots of side dishes. Pair up the flavors in your baked oysters with one of these for a successful dinner pairing. French oysters are great with the easy potato souffle, Mediterranean recipes pair well with the Greek salad.

Southern recipes pair particularly well with jambalaya, collard greens and coleslaw or the colorful kale slaw. Bread is great for mopping up all the delicious sauce.

Easy Potato Souffle

Looking for a unique side dish for your Thanksgiving? This fluffy Potato Souffle recipe will impress. These fluffy mashed potatoes are classy comfort food. Try out this easy potato recipe today.

Potato Souffle

Apple Kale Slaw With Maple Tahini Salad Dressing (V)

A refreshing and hearty slaw that cuts through the richness of baked oysters with it's mild acidity. A great side for oysters au gratin or oysters mornay.

Apple Kale Slaw

Greek Spinach Salad With Lemon And Feta

Get your leafy greens in with this tasty spinach based Greek salad. It pairs perfectly with light lemon caper baked oysters or recipes with tomatoes.

Greek Spinach Salad

Creole Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

A traditional Creole rice dish made with pork sausage, tomatoes, and Creole seasonings simmered in stock with a trinity of vegetables. Cornmeal fried oysters or oyster casserole pair up well with this authentic jambalaya recipe.

Jambalaya

Traditional Cajun Dirty Rice: A Step-by-Step Recipe

This classic Cajun dirty rice is loaded with bold flavors and is a versatile side dish or a hearty one-pot meal.

Dirty Rice

Crispy Lemon Roasted Crack Broccoli (DF)

This addictively delicious crispy lemon roasted crack broccoli is full of tangy, cheesy flavour yet is dairy-free, vegan and keto-friendly! This is an excellent side dish if you're looking for a crispy green vegetable.

Crack Broccoli

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air fryer sweet potato fries are super easy to make and a healthier option than traditional fries. Faster, less messy and loaded with Fiber, Vitamin A and other nutrients.

Sweet Potato Fries

Grilled Asparagus {with Garlic Butter}

Grilled Asparagus with garlic butter is an easy side dish for mains with rich flavor like oysters Rockefeller or miso baked oysters.

Grilled Asparagus

Cucumber Onion Salad {Sweet Vinegar Dressing}

Bright and tangy with dill and vinegar, these cucumbers are a classic side dish that is a refreshing choice with heavy, rich cream sauce oyster recipes.

Cucumber Onion Salad

Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta

Sweet and simple, this lemon butter pasta makes a great base to spoon your baked oysters over.

Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta

Asiago Sourdough Bread

Asiago sourdough bread is a tangy, fluffy bread flecked with the sweet and sour flavor of aged Asiago cheese wrapped in a crispy crust. The perfect thing to mop up oyster juices and creamy sauces.

Asiago Sourdough

Vietnamese Garlic Noodles (Mì Xào Tỏi)

Vietnamese Garlic Noodles is perfectly buttery, garlicky, and easy to make! Only 20 minutes and 9 ingredients make this a natural partner for Asian oyster recipes.

Vietnamese Garlic Noodles

Truffle Fries

Why have plain French fries when you could have truffle fries?! With complex flavor from truffles and parmesan, truffle fries put a favorite potato side dish over the top!

Truffle Fries

Classic Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto

Creamy, earthy and comforting, this chanterelle risotto is so luxurious. A delicious main course or side dish for fall and winter.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi

This crispy pan fried gnocchi topped with a light garlic butter parmesan sauce is an easy meal that takes only 20 minutes to make.

Crispy Gnocchi

Pasta Rice + Potatoes

If you're looking for a great side of pasta, rice or potatoes, these simple recipes let the oyster take center stage.

Easy Creamy Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Creamy, garlicky and oh-so-delicious, these garlic mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for roast beef, chicken, meatloaf, Christmas turkey, or a Thanksgiving ham. Impress your guests with this easy side dish recipe!

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Butter Rice

This butter rice recipe is a simple side dish that elevates any meal. The garlic, butter, and onion make it extra flavorful and the perfect base for underneath your baked oysters.

Butter Rice

Smashed Potatoes (Extra Crispy!)

Soft and tender inside with a perfectly crispy outside, these Smashed Potatoes are the easiest, tastiest side dish you'll ever make!

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Easiest Seafood Alfredo Recipe (15-Minute Creamy Pasta)

A rich, restaurant-quality seafood pasta made with real cream, garlic, fresh Parmesan, and your choice of quick-cooking or precooked seafood. Ready in 20 minutes! Serves 4 large servings or 6 medium servings.

Seafood Alfredo

Macaroni + Cheese

Yep, this one got it's own section. For a casual dinner or game night oysters, mac 'n cheese can't be beat. Go with a tried and true basic or add in bacon or green chilis to kick it up a notch. Delish.

Southern Mac and Cheese

This Southern mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy and so flavorful! This classic comfort food is great for family dinners and holidays.

Macaroni + Cheese

5 Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This ultra-cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese is made with 5 different types of cheese: American, extra sharp cheddar, colby jack, smoked gouda, and smoked gruyere. One of the most popular side dishes, this is the ultimate comfort food to pair up with juicy oysters.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

Old-fashioned baked macaroni & cheese is elevated with a 3-cheese blend, caramelized onions, & bacon. This classic recipe is easy & creamy.

Bacon Mac + Cheese

Spicy Green Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese

My Spicy Green Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese is made with three types of melty cheese, crispy bacon, & a creamy poblano & hatch green chile sauce.

Green Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese

What To Serve With Oyster Stew + Soup

Saltine crackers and oyster crackers are a classic but no one can beat a fresh homemade loaf of bread. Try one of these homemade sides for a perfect oyster soup/stew/chowder pairing.

Fried Seasoned Oyster Crackers

This easy seasoned oyster crackers recipe is the best. These crispy fried snacks are irresistible. Use your own spice blend or storebought.

Seasoned Oyster Crackers

Easy Mexican Cornbread Recipe

Tasty, toasty cornbread with a crisp exterior and soft, fragrant inside is a great side for oyster stew and soup. Dip and dunk and enjoy.

Cornbread

Fast and Easy Rosemary No Knead Bread

This one is easy and oh-so delicious. A quick version done in just half a day, this one is my family's favorite bread to pair up with soup and stew.

No Knead Bread

How To Make Delicious Vegan Buckwheat Sourdough Bread

A hearty loaf that is still light and airy, this one adds great nutty flavor and pairs great with warm oyster chowder.

Buckwheat Sourdough

Best Creamy Prawn Chowder With Leeks, Corn and Bacon

Sweet, savory and creamy, this prawn chowder ticks all the boxes and it's super easy to make!

Prawn Chowder

Creamy Clam Chowder In A Bread Bowl - Easy Recipe

Creamy clam chowder in a bread bowl is rich and delicious with lots of sweet tender clams and potatoes. Full of real ingredients with no fillers, this clam chowder is the real deal. With just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of simmering, it's ready in no time!

Clam Chowder

More Seafood

Make your oyster dinner into a seafood feast with more luxurious seafood dishes.

Coctel De Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

Bold and flavorful, this is THE best shrimp cocktail with lots of texture from vegetables and a great, briny tomato sauce.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Old Bay Shrimp- The Easiest Spiced Shrimp Cocktail Recipe Around!

These Old Bay Shrimp are cooked in beer with Old Bay seasoning, butter & dried herbs. This Spiced Shrimp Cocktail is the perfect appetizer!

Old Bay Shrimp Cocktail

Smoked Salmon Crackers And Cream Cheese Platter

A quick and easy platter to put together, smoked salmon with cream cheese and crackers is always popular. Tasty garnishes of capers, lemon, herbs and onion finish off this luxurious tasting crowd-pleaser. Easily scale the recipe up or down to serve more or less people.

Smoked Salmon Platter

3 Holiday Seafood Platters - Farm to Jar

A seafood platter is perfect for holiday entertaining. Flexible enough for small appetizer plates, buffet boards or luxury seafood towers. Serve up your oysters with crab legs, baked clams, lobster and more.

Seafood Platter

Japanese Salmon Tataki With Homemade Ponzu Sauce

A great light recipe that is great for a night of seafood appetizers. Light fish along with richer shellfish will help balance out all the flavors and textures on your table.

Salmon Tataki

Creamy Clam Chowder In A Bread Bowl - Easy Recipe

This creamy clam chowder pairs up great with crispy fried oysters. Dip the oysters right into the creamy soup and then finish off with the delicious bread bowl after.

Clam Chowder

Easy Baked Greek Cod Recipe with Lemon and Garlic

An easy main course that can be popped in the oven while you enjoy oysters and drinks with your guests before dinner. Or, add shucked oysters right into the dish and bake them up with the cod in the tasty marinade.

Greek Baked Cod

FAQ's

How To Shuck An Oyster

1. Using an oyster knife and a protective glove or kitchen towel, secure the oyster and locate the hinge.
2. Insert the tip of the knife near the hinge, twist gently to pop it open.
3. Slide the knife along the top shell to detach it without cutting into the oyster.
4. Lift the top shell, cut the muscle to separate it from the bottom shell.
5. Remove any shell fragments and serve them in their bottom shells on crushed ice with mignonette and lemon wedges.

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More Great Seafood Recipes

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Cheers and happy cooking, Friends! Sabrina