What To Serve With Oysters? 25 Best Side Dishes

Not sure what to serve with oysters?

Look no further!

I’ve gathered up 25 of the best side dishes that pair perfectly with these mollusks.

Since oysters are delectable on their own, you don’t need much to make them shine.

A simple salad or platter full of crunchy raw vegetables is usually enough.

But if you want something more substantial, why not try out a few dishes from different cultures and cuisines?

The ideal accompaniment depends on your preferences and how you like cooking seafood – but trust me, these sides will definitely elevate your fresh oyster experience.

Read Also: How Long To Cook Oysters

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes With Oysters?

• Variety: Serving side dishes with oysters provides a variety of flavors and textures to the meal, allowing guests to enjoy different tastes in one sitting.
• Accompaniments: Side dishes can provide accompaniments for the oysters, such as sauces or condiments that enhance their flavor. For example, mignonette sauce is often served with raw oysters to add an acidic kick.
• Balance: Side dishes can help balance out the richness of the oysters by providing lighter options like salads or vegetables that are low in fat and calories but still flavorful and satisfying.
• Presentation: Serving side dishes alongside your oyster dish adds visual appeal to your presentation, making it more attractive and inviting for guests.
• Nutrition: Adding side dishes to your meal helps ensure you’re getting all of the essential nutrients needed for a balanced diet while also enjoying delicious food!

What To Serve With Oysters? 25 Best Side Dishes

Oysters are a delicious seafood delicacy, but they can be tricky to pair with the right side dish.

To make sure your meal is complete, here are 25 of the best side dishes that go perfectly with oysters:

1 – Cocktail Sauce

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Get saucy with cocktail sauce! This tangy and spicy dip is the perfect pairing for a platter of fresh oysters.

Whip up a batch of homemade cocktail sauce with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

Feeling adventurous? Add some hot sauce or chili powder for an extra kick of flavor.

2 – Hush Puppies

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Don’t be quiet about hush puppies! These crispy and golden fried balls of cornmeal are the perfect side dish for a plate of oysters.

Mix up a batch of hush puppies with cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk, and diced onions for a classic recipe.

Want to mix things up? Add some jalapeños or cheddar cheese to your hush puppies for a spicy or cheesy twist.

3 – Baked Beans

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Let’s get baked… beans, that is! These sweet and savory beans are a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with oysters.

Bake up a batch of homemade baked beans with brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, and bacon for a traditional recipe.

Want to switch things up? Add some diced pineapple or chipotle peppers to your baked beans for a unique and flavorful twist.

4 – French Fries

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Get fry-day on a Wednesday with french fries! These crispy and salty sticks are a classic side dish that pairs well with oysters.

Fry up a batch of homemade french fries with russet potatoes and salt for a classic recipe.

Feeling fancy? Add some truffle oil or parmesan cheese to your french fries for an elevated and indulgent twist.

5 – Coleslaw

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Get slaw-some with coleslaw! This crunchy and creamy side dish is the perfect complement to a plate of fresh oysters.

Mix up a batch of homemade coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing of mayo, vinegar, and honey.

Want to add some flavor? Mix in some chopped apples or raisins to your coleslaw for a sweet and fruity twist.

6 – Tartar Sauce

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Sauce it up with tartar sauce!

Whisk up a batch of homemade tartar sauce with mayo, relish, lemon juice, and capers for a classic recipe.

Feeling adventurous? Add some dill or tarragon to your tartar sauce for an herby and fresh twist.

7 – Green Beans

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Get your greens on with green beans!

Blanch a batch of green beans and dress them with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt for a simple and tasty recipe.

Want to add some crunch? Top your green beans with some toasted almonds or breadcrumbs for an added texture and flavor.

8 – Mashed Potatoes

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Get mashy with mashed potatoes! These creamy and fluffy spuds are a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with oysters.

Whip up a batch of homemade mashed potatoes with butter, milk, and salt for a simple and satisfying recipe.

Feeling indulgent? Mix in some cream cheese or sour cream to your mashed potatoes for a decadent and creamy twist.

9 – Macaroni and Cheese

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Get cheesy with macaroni and cheese! This gooey and comforting side dish is the perfect complement to a plate of fresh oysters.

Bake up a batch of homemade mac and cheese with elbow pasta, cheddar cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb topping for a classic recipe.

Want to add some flavor? Mix in some chopped jalapeños or crumbled bacon to your mac and cheese for a spicy or smoky twist.

10 – Potato Salad

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Get your spuds on with potato salad!

Mix up a batch of homemade potato salad with boiled potatoes, mayo, and diced celery and onion for a traditional recipe.

Feeling adventurous? Add some pickles or mustard to your potato salad for a tangy and zesty twist.

11 – Cornbread

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Get corny with cornbread! This sweet and savory bread is a classic side dish that pairs well with oysters.

Bake up a batch of homemade cornbread with cornmeal, flour, and buttermilk for a classic recipe.

Want to add some sweetness? Mix in some honey or maple syrup to your cornbread batter for a sweet and indulgent twist.

12 – Baked Potato

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Get baked with baked potatoes! These crispy and fluffy spuds are the perfect side dish for a plate of fresh oysters.

Bake up a batch of homemade baked potatoes and dress them with butter, sour cream, and chives for a simple and satisfying recipe.

Feeling creative? Stuff your baked potatoes with bacon, cheese, or broccoli for a hearty and flavorful twist.

13 – Garlic Bread

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Get garlicky with garlic bread!

Toast up a batch of homemade garlic bread with butter, garlic, and herbs for a classic recipe.

Want to add some cheesy goodness? Top your garlic bread with some mozzarella or parmesan cheese for a melty and indulgent twist.

14 – Sweet Potato Fries

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Get sweet with sweet potato fries!

Fry up a batch of homemade sweet potato fries and dress them with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet and indulgent recipe.

Feeling spicy? Toss your sweet potato fries with some chili powder or cumin for a savory and spicy twist.

15 – Onion Rings

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Get ringed with onion rings!

Fry up a batch of homemade onion rings with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for a classic recipe.

Feeling zesty? Mix in some paprika or cayenne pepper to your onion ring batter for a spicy and flavorful twist.

16 – Caesar Salad

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Get your greens on with Caesar salad!

Mix up a batch of homemade Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and a creamy dressing of anchovies, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

Want to add some protein? Top your Caesar salad with some grilled chicken or shrimp for a hearty and satisfying twist.

17 – Roasted Vegetables

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Get roasted with roasted vegetables! These crispy and flavorful veggies are a healthy and delicious side dish.

Roast up a batch of seasonal veggies with olive oil, salt, and herbs for a simple and tasty recipe.

Feeling adventurous? Mix in some balsamic vinegar or honey to your roasted vegetables for a sweet and tangy twist.

18 – Rice Pilaf

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Get your grains on with rice pilaf!

Cook up a batch of homemade rice pilaf with basmati rice, sautéed onions, and toasted almonds for a classic recipe.

Want to add some color? Mix in some diced carrots or peas to your rice pilaf for a vibrant and veggie-packed twist.

19 – Fried Okra

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Get fried with fried okra! These crispy and savory bites are a Southern classic.

Fry up a batch of homemade fried okra with cornmeal, flour, and spices for a traditional recipe.

Feeling daring? Mix in some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to your fried okra batter for a spicy and bold twist.

20 – Buttered Noodles

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Get noodling with buttered noodles! These simple and buttery noodles are a classic side dish that pairs well with oysters.

Cook up a batch of homemade buttered noodles with egg noodles, butter, and salt for a simple and satisfying recipe.

Feeling fancy? Mix in some grated parmesan or chopped herbs to your buttered noodles for a flavorful and elevated twist.

21 – Grilled Asparagus

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Get your spears on with grilled asparagus!

Grill up a batch of asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple and delicious recipe.

Want to add some zest? Drizzle your grilled asparagus with some lemon juice or balsamic glaze for a tangy and zesty twist.

22 – Herbed Rice

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Get flavorful with herbed rice!

Cook up a batch of homemade herbed rice with basmati rice, chicken broth, and a mix of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

Feeling creative? Mix in some diced tomatoes or roasted garlic to your herbed rice for a flavorful and colorful twist.

23 – Grilled Corn

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Get corny with grilled corn!

Grill up a batch of fresh corn on the cob with butter, salt, and pepper for a classic recipe.

Want to add some spice? Sprinkle your grilled corn with some chili powder or cumin for a bold and spicy twist.

24 – Quinoa Salad

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Get your grains on with quinoa salad!

Mix up a batch of homemade quinoa salad with cooked quinoa, diced veggies, and a tangy dressing of lemon juice and olive oil.

Feeling adventurous? Mix in some chopped nuts or dried fruit to your quinoa salad for a crunchy and sweet twist.

25 – Biscuits and Gravy

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Get cozy with biscuits and gravy!

Bake up a batch of homemade buttermilk biscuits and serve them with a rich and creamy sausage gravy for a classic recipe.

Feeling indulgent? Top your biscuits and gravy with some fried chicken or bacon for a decadent and delicious twist

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are endless possibilities when it comes to finding the perfect side dish to serve with oysters.

From classic dips like cocktail sauce and tartar sauce, to crispy fried favorites like onion rings and hush puppies, to healthy options like roasted vegetables and grilled asparagus, there is something for everyone.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix things up with unique twists on classic recipes, like adding jalapeños to your mac and cheese or mixing diced pineapple into your baked beans.

And remember to keep your writing playful and engaging by mixing up your sentence structures and using rhetorical devices like parallelism and anaphora.

So go ahead and experiment in the kitchen and discover your new favorite oyster side dish!