What Sauce Goes with Oysters? (11 Amazing Sauces)

Oysters are a delicious and healthy seafood option that can be enjoyed cooked or raw.

When eating oysters, it is common to enjoy them with a sauce or dressing.

This helps to enhance the flavor of the oysters and makes them even more enjoyable.

So if you are wondering what sauces go with oysters, then you are in the right place.

Below, I’m sharing 11 of the best sauces for oysters including cocktail sauce, mignonette sauce, horseradish sauce, and more.

Read Also: How Long To Cook Oysters

What Sauce Goes with Oysters?

There are a few different types of sauce that go well with oysters. A classic choice is cocktail sauce, which is a mix of ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Another option is mignonette sauce, which is made from white wine vinegar, shallots, and black pepper. If you want something a bit lighter, you could also try a simple vinaigrette or even just lemon juice.

As you can see, there are many different types of sauces that can be used to enhance the flavor of oysters.

Here are 11 great sauces that will bring out the natural flavors of your oysters and make them even more enjoyable:

1. Cocktail Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/274860383500388598/

Cocktail sauce is more than just ketchup and horseradish.

It’s a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and heat.

And it’s my go-to sauce for oysters.

The key to a good cocktail sauce is using fresh ingredients.

I like to use Heinz ketchup, fresh lemon juice, and prepared horseradish.

I mix these ingredients together and then taste it to see if it needs more of any one flavor.

Once you have the basic sauce down, you can experiment with adding different herbs and spices.

I sometimes add a little bit of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce to give it a little extra kick.

Tips:

• Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
• Taste the sauce before you serve it to make sure it’s seasoned the way you like it.
• Add a little bit of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce for an extra kick.

2. Mignonette Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/248120260712054747/

Take your oysters to the next level with mignonette sauce.

This sauce is perfect for those who want to add a little bit of zing to their oysters.

The vinegar in the sauce cuts through the richness of the oysters, while the herbs add a subtle flavor that takes them to the next level.

The best part about mignonette sauce is that it is versatile.

You can use any combination of herbs and spices that you like.

I typically use shallots, peppercorns, and thyme, but you can use whatever you like.

Tips:

• If you are using fresh oysters, shuck them just before you are ready to serve.
• If you are using frozen oysters, thaw them completely before adding them to the sauce.
• Be careful not to overcook the oysters. They should be cooked just until they are firm.

3. Horseradish Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/108790147240374652/

I love how easy it is to customize and how delicious this sauce is.

Horseradish sauce is one of my favorite sauces to put on oysters.

I usually use a small amount of horseradish root and then add some other herbs and spices to add flavor.

This sauce is also great on other seafood dishes, like fish or shrimp.

Try adding some of these herbs and spices to your horseradish sauce to give it more flavor:

• Parsley
• Cayenne pepper
• Lemon juice
• Garlic

Tips:

• If you want a smoother sauce, blend the horseradish root in a food processor before adding it to the other ingredients.
• This sauce is best made fresh, but it will keep in the fridge for a few days.

4. Tartar Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/795237246711952853/

Tartar sauce is like the ketchup of the seafood world.

It’s there when you need it, and it makes everything taste better.

I grew up eating oysters with tartar sauce, and I still think it’s the best way to enjoy them.

Tartar sauce is traditionally made with mayonnaise, relish, and pickles.

But you can also add in other herbs and spices to give it more flavor.

I like to add a little bit of dill weed and Old Bay seasoning.

5. Remoulade Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/345369865195768579/

Remoulade sauce is super unique and I think it goes really well with oysters.

It’s thick, creamy, and has a bit of a tang to it.

I’ve used it as a dipping sauce, and it’s also great on burgers and sandwiches.

There are a lot of different herbs and spices you can use in this sauce.

I usually stick to using parsley, thyme, and paprika.

But you could also add in some garlic, onion, or celery seed.

6. Tzatziki Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/193091902765851235/

Tzatziki is pretty creamy, with a slight taste of lemon and cucumber.

I think it goes quite well with oysters.

The first time I had it was actually with some grilled lamb skewers, and it was delicious!

For tzatziki, I like to use fresh mint, dill, and parsley.

If you want, you can also add a bit of garlic.

These herbs and spices really give the sauce a nice flavor.

Tips:

• If you’re using fresh herbs, make sure to chop them up finely.
• If you want a really smooth sauce, you can blend the ingredients in a food processor.
• This sauce is best when it’s chilled, so make sure to refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving.

7. Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/505247651957558542/

This zingy cilantro sauce is SO delicious with oysters!

I love the bright lime flavor and the creamy yogurt base. It’s the perfect sauce for summertime oysters.

I like to use fresh cilantro, lime juice, and yogurt in my sauce.

But you could also add in other herbs and spices like garlic, jalapeno, or even ginger.

Get creative and experiment to find your perfect flavor combination.

Tips:

• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
• Balance the acidity of the lime juice with a bit of sweetness. I like to use honey in my sauce.
• Use full-fat yogurt for a richer, creamier sauce.

8. Red Pepper Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/656751558178661369/

Roasted red pepper sauce is quick to prepare and adds a flavorful punch to oysters.

I like to use a variety of herbs and spices to really give the sauce some depth of flavor.

Some of my favorite herbs to use are oregano, basil, and thyme.

I also like to add a bit of cayenne pepper to really give the sauce some heat.

Tips:

• If you want to really give the sauce some flavor, roast the red peppers before adding them to the sauce.
• Use a variety of herbs and spices to really give the sauce some depth of flavor.
• If you want to add some heat to the sauce, add a bit of cayenne pepper.

9. Green Onion Vinaigrette

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/117726977749786543/

Tangy, zippy and slightly sweet, this green onion vinaigrette is the perfect sauce for oysters.

The first time I had it was at a restaurant and I was hooked.

I love how the flavors come together to create a sauce that is both unique and delicious.

Tips:

• If you want a more intense flavor, roast the garlic and shallots before adding them to the sauce.
• Be sure to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

10. Ponzu Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/818740407273057879/

This fantastic and citrusy sauce originates from Japan and is often used as a dipping sauce or marinade.

I think it’s the perfect accompaniment to oysters!

The ponzu sauce gives the oysters a lovely zing and really enhances their flavor.

There are many herbs and spices that go well with this sauce, but my personal favorites are yuzu, shiso, and ginger.

You can really experiment with different flavors and find what you like best.

Tips:

• If you’re using the sauce as a marinade, make sure to marinate the oysters for at least 30 minutes.
• If you’re using the sauce as a dipping sauce, I recommend diluting it with a little bit of water so that it’s not too overpowering.
• If you want a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.

11. Spicy Mayo

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/67554063152815836/

If you prefer things on the spicy side, then this sauce is perfect for you.

I personally enjoy a good amount of heat, and this sauce definitely delivers.

The great thing about making your own spicy mayo is that you can control how much heat you want.

If you want to tone it down, simply add less chili pepper.

This sauce is perfect for oysters, but can also be used as a dipping sauce or condiment.

I like to add a little bit of garlic and onion powder to my sauce, but you can really use any combination of herbs and spices that you like.

Get creative and experiment until you find a combination that you love.

Tips:

• If you’re using this sauce as a condiment, I recommend starting with a small amount and then adding more to taste. You don’t want to overwhelm your dish with spice.
• This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for later. Simply add all of the ingredients to a jar and shake until combined.
• When adding the chili pepper to the sauce, start with less and then add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s in there.

FAQ

What Sauce Goes with Fried Oysters?

Since fried oysters are already quite salty, you will want to choose a sauce that is not too heavy on salt. A remoulade or tartar sauce would be a good choice, as they are both mayonnaise-based and have a light flavor. You could also try a dipping sauce with yogurt or sour cream as the base.

What Sauce Goes with Raw Oysters?

When serving raw oysters, it is common to have a variety of sauces available for guests to choose from. Some popular sauce options include cocktail sauce, vinegar-based sauces, and mignonette sauce.