Description
Miso Baked Oysters is a quick and flavorful West Coast appetizer featuring fresh oysters topped with a creamy miso-mayo sauce, fresh spinach, and melted cheese, then broiled to golden perfection. This recipe brings a perfect balance of umami, spice, and citrus brightness, ideal for seafood lovers seeking an easy yet impressive dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Oysters
- 12 pieces Fresh Oysters (or any large oysters available)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Japanese Mayonnaise (increase lemon juice if using regular mayo)
- 2 tablespoons Miso Paste (light miso for mild, dark for deeper flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Mirin (do not substitute for authentic flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice (fresh is recommended)
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach (can substitute kale or other leafy greens)
- 1 cup Cheddar or Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (omit for dairy-free version)
- Coarse salt (for stabilizing oysters in shells or ramekins)
Instructions
- Preheat Broiler: Preheat your broiler or BBQ to high heat, about 500°F (260°C), allowing approximately 10 minutes for it to fully heat.
- Prepare Oysters: Arrange oyster shells or ramekins on a baking sheet. Fill with coarse salt to help keep the oysters stable during cooking.
- Make Miso Mayo Sauce: In a bowl, combine Japanese mayonnaise and miso paste, mixing until smooth. Add mirin, hot sauce, and fresh lemon juice, blending well to form a creamy sauce.
- Layer Spinach: Distribute fresh spinach evenly in each oyster shell or ramekin, this adds a fresh layer beneath the oysters.
- Position Oysters: Carefully place an oyster on top of the spinach in each shell or ramekin.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the prepared miso mayo sauce over each oyster. Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese generously on top.
- Broil Oysters: Place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler and cook for 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove oysters from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm, paired with a crisp salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best taste and balance in the sauce.
- Mirin is essential for the authentic flavor; avoid substituting with other sweeteners.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your desired spice level.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese topping.
- Spinach can be swapped with kale or any preferred leafy green for variation.
- Stabilizing oysters on coarse salt prevents them from tipping during broiling.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately while warm and cheesy.
