Rockin’ Oysters Rockefeller is a classic American dish that offers a gourmet experience, blending the natural brininess of oysters with a rich, flavorful topping. Originating from New Orleans, this recipe has been a favorite for over a century, often served as an elegant appetizer in fine dining restaurants as well as at festive gatherings.
The base of the dish is fresh oysters, which are shucked and left on the half shell. These oysters are then topped with a savory mixture. The traditional Rockefeller topping includes a blend of finely chopped green herbs like parsley, chives, and spinach, providing a vibrant green color and fresh taste. To this, breadcrumbs, butter, and various seasonings like garlic, shallots, and a dash of hot sauce are added, creating a rich and complex flavor profile.
Once the oysters are prepared with their topping, they are baked or broiled until the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy, and the oysters are just cooked through. The result is a delightful contrast of textures: the smooth, succulent oysters against the crunchy, herbaceous topping.
Rockin’ Oysters Rockefeller can be customized in numerous ways. Chefs often add ingredients like bacon, Pernod, or different types of cheese to put their unique spin on the dish. Despite these variations, the essence of Oysters Rockefeller remains the same: a luxurious blend of the sea’s freshness with rich, aromatic flavors that truly make this dish rock.
Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller Recipe - Classic New Orleans Seafood Delight
Details Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller Recipes
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 16
Ingredients For Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller Recipes
48 fresh, unopened oysters
1 ½ cups beer
2 cloves garlic
7 black peppercorns
seasoned salt to taste
½ cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
8 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fine bread crumbs
Instructions: Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller Recipes
Step 1: Clean oysters, and place them in a large stockpot. Pour in beer and enough water to cover oysters; add 2 cloves of garlic, peppercorns, and seasoned salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, drain, and cool.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
Step 3: Once oysters are cooled, break off and discard the top shell. Arrange oysters on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter until soft. Reduce heat to low; stir in spinach, Monterey Jack, fontina, and mozzarella. Cook until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Stir in milk; season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over each oyster, just filling the shell. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
More spinach and less cheese is definitely needed, as many other reviewers noted. I also question whether mozzarella was a good selection, because it made my cheese sauce stretchy and stubborn when it came to filling the shells. Otherwise this was a real winner, absolutely delicious.
Absolutely amazing!! I've made this half a dozen times and it's always a hit. It's like having creamed spinach on top of an oyster!
We made these tonight with most of the ingredients. Swapped feta for the fontina ( very light). Will add bacon next time too! But was so flavorful!
We cut down the recipe for a dozen oysters, and they were really outstanding.
Made 48 but revised recipe. 16 oz cheese and 15 oz spinach. After reading one review stating it was like eating gobs of cheese. I guess you could call it Oysters Florentine, lol! Came out fabulous!
Definitely needed more spinach. I used about a pound of spinach because you need that texture. Didn't have fontina, so used shaved gouda as a replacement. But overall, very delicious! I was honestly scared that the oysters were going to make me sick as I had never made them before, but they turned out perfect!
Excellent. The fontina was a nice touch - smooth and creamy. I’d never used it before. Delicious. Got rave comments.
I added a sprinkle or two of smoked Spanish Paprika on top right before putting in the oven. I also added a couple of squirts of lemon juice right in the shell with the oyster before I covered it with the cheesy, spinach, onion, garlic, terragon (added), marjarom (added), season all (added), Tony Cachere's (added), butter mixture. I didn't mix in the Fontina cheese. I placed it on top of the covered oyster just before the Spanish paprika, like a finishing Cheese. These were AWESOME . My dad hates Oysters and loved these. My mom was instantly addicted to them.
Wonderful! Made these as an appetizer for New Years Eve and my family loved them! My 28 year old son said this dish was the star of the show! I used fresh shucked oysters from our local seafood shop so it super easy that way! Based on previous reviews I used smoked gouda, monterey jack and Parmesan cheese and omitted the mozzarella. Added some bacon crumbles on top and only used a dash of salt . Awesome recipe and so appreciate you sharing!
All Nutrifacts of Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller Recipes
✅What type of oysters are best for Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller?
Select fresh, high-quality oysters for Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller. Varieties like Blue Points, Gulf, or Pacific oysters are excellent choices. Their size, flavor, and texture complement the rich topping and ensure a delightful eating experience.
✅How do you prepare oysters for Rockefeller?
Start by shucking the oysters, keeping them on the half shell. Rinse to remove any grit, and place them on a baking tray. It's essential to retain the oyster liquor for its briny flavor, adding depth to the dish.
✅What are the key ingredients for the Rockefeller topping?
The Rockefeller topping typically includes a mix of chopped spinach, parsley, breadcrumbs, butter, garlic, and shallots. Some recipes may add cheese, Pernod, or hot sauce for extra flavor. The mixture should be rich and flavorful to complement the oysters.
✅Can Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller be made ahead of time?
You can prepare the Rockefeller topping in advance and refrigerate it. However, it's best to bake or broil the oysters with the topping just before serving to maintain the freshness and texture of the oysters.
✅Are there any variations to the traditional Rockefeller recipe?
Yes, there are many variations of Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller. Some include adding smoked bacon, different herbs, various cheeses, or substituting spinach with other greens. These variations allow for personalization while keeping the spirit of the classic dish.
