This article was updated on 31/7/2023 for clarity and to improve text readability.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your oyster roast, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for an oyster roast.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve at an oyster roast are clam chowder, cornbread muffins, macaroni salad, smashed potatoes, and crostini. You can also serve lemon pasta, hushpuppies, crab rangoon, collard greens, and broccoli casserole. For healthy options, try serving green beans or grilled corn.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Clam chowder
You and your guests could be standing cold for a couple of hours during an oyster roast, so serving a warm, hearty soup like clam chowder is a no-brainer!
I used to think I needed fresh clams for this soup, but Damn Delicious’ recipe proves otherwise. She uses canned clams, which actually provide more flavor than the real deal because of the brine (and they won’t break the bank).
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Clam chowder
Make it different
Manhattan clam chowder
Skip the clams
Crab and corn chowder
Cornbread muffins
These cornbread muffins are like your typical cornbread, just in muffin form. They’re easy to grab and hold, making them ideal for oyster roasts.
The addition of cheddar cheese and jalapeno peppers brings an extra savory boost to your cornbread muffins and a spicy kick that’ll make your taste buds tingle.
The Kitchn’s recipe calls for scraping the seeds out then slicing the peppers to make for a better looking muffin. But if you’re all about getting that heat, you keep the seeds.
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Jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffins
Load it up
Fully loaded cornbread
Skip the oven
Southern hot water cornbread
Macaroni salad
Macaroni salads are a staple at BBQ parties, so why not serve one at your oyster roast too?
It’s a breeze to make and can easily feed a crowd. It’s also a great make-ahead dish that comes together in 30 minutes tops.
Once you’ve mixed the macaroni with the veggies, herbs, and the homemade mayo dressing, simply pop it into the fridge. The longer it sits, the better it tastes – the flavors mingle and marinate, creating a flavor explosion with each bite. Sounds divine, right?
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Macaroni salad
Skip the mayo
Healthy macaroni salad
Make it Italian-inspired
Pistachio pesto pasta salad
Lemon pasta
If you’re looking for a filling side dish to serve with your oyster roast, this lemon pasta is the way to go. It features a bright and nutty lemon butter sauce that pairs excellently with the briny flavors of roasted oysters.
What’s great is you can tweak this flavor to your liking. If you want more of that citrusy touch, add more lemon juice or zest. You can also add an extra dash of parmesan cheese for more umami (yuuuuum).
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Lemon parmesan pasta
Back to basics
Pasta pomodoro
Make it low-carb
Baked spaghetti squash with lemon garlic sauce
Shrimp hushpuppies
Hushpuppies are a classic Southern side that work well with most seafood dishes. They’re great to serve alongside an oyster roast, especially for kids and picky eaters.
Regular hush puppies are already delicious, but Brown Sugar Food Blog takes it up a notch by adding cooked baby shrimp to the hushpuppy batter.
The shrimp adds a subtle sweetness to the hushpuppies and makes them even heartier. But you don’t have to stick with shrimp — you can also use shredded crabmeat or even cod.
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Shrimp hushpuppies
Make it basic
Southern hushpuppies
Add veg
Squash puppies
Crostinis
Saltine crackers are a classic side dish for any oyster roast, but why not get a little fancy by serving crostini instead?
They’re slices of crusty bread that have been toasted until crisp, so you can load them up with your oyster meat.
Or you can skip the oysters and straight up dunk them in the cocktail sauce (I won’t judge, promise).
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Crostini
Go Greek
Pita chips
Make it from scratch
Spicy Southern cheese crackers
Broccoli cheddar casserole
Broccoli cheddar is a flavor combination that will be a hit with both old and young guests at your oyster roast.
The florets are first steamed then smothered with a luscious mixture of cheddar and cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Once baked, this dish becomes warm and comforting, one reviewer said it was their “favorite way to eat broccoli”.
And the best part? Despite the decadence, this side is still low-carb and keto-friendly. Now that’s what I call a win-win!
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Broccoli cheese casserole
Add carbs
One-pan broccoli cheddar rice
Go British
Cauliflower cheese
Roasted green beans
I used to think green beans were boring, until I tried them roasted.
The cooking technique may seem insignificant, but under the oven’s high heat, the green beans develop a great texture — lightly crisp and charred on the outside and tender (not soggy) on the inside.
And Wonky Wonderful takes this a step further by adding crispy bacon to the mix, infusing the earthy green beans with a delicious smokiness that pairs well with the briny notes of fresh oysters.
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Roasted green beans with bacon
Make it cheesy
Herb buttered corn and green beans
Skip the oven
Green beans almondine
Sweet potato mash
Mashed potatoes are such a common side dish, so why not try something new with this sweet potato mash?
Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so you’ll need additions that enhance this. Aside from the classics like butter and heavy cream, Salt & Lavender also adds rosemary, cinnamon, and sage to create a warm, sweet-savory flavor that’s perfect for oyster roasts.
Pssst… got leftovers? No worries, these mashed sweet potatoes keep well in the fridge for a few days.
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Mashed sweet potatoes
Make it low-carb
Mashed cauliflower with parmesan and chives
Fire up the oven
Baked sweet potatoes
Crab rangoon cups
Thinking of what to serve your guests as you wait for your oyster roast? Look no further than these wonton cups.
They’re just like your favorite takeout treat made healthier because they’re baked instead of fried.
Pro-tip: you can use the cocktail sauce originally meant for your oysters as a dipping sauce for these delightful treats too.
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Crab rangoon cups
Make it fun
Crab rangoon egg rolls
Make it basic
Crab rangoon
Collard greens
These Instant Pot collard greens are a revelation, and they’ll fit right in at your oyster roast. Just imagine tucking into these silky greens infused with a savory, smoky twist as you enjoy your freshly roasted oysters. Yum!
The classic recipe can take a long time to cook, but My Sequined Life’s version uses an Instant Pot. With this gadget, you’ll get your greens ready in a flash, and they’ll be just as tasty as the slow-cooked version.
Pssst… you can also dunk your oysters in the “pot liquor”, which is the cooking liquid you get with these collard greens.
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Southern instant pot collard greens
Skip the collard greens
Garlic butter braised kale
Make it creamy
Creamed kale
Grilled corn on the cob
You already have the grill out for your oyster roast, so why take advantage of it and grill some ears of corn? They’re an easy side dish you can whip up in 10 minutes, and they’re always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Plus, you can allow your guests to customize their own cobs by serving an array of condiments and seasonings. I always have the basics like butter and salt, but I also add spice blends like Cajun, Old Bay, or garlic powder.
Cooking Classy’s recipe also includes three flavored butters you can try if you’re up for some extra work: garlic parmesan, chili lime, and herb butter.
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Grilled corn on the cob
Skip the grill
Butter bath corn
Make it fun
Baked corn ribs
Smashed potatoes
These golden beauties taste like the best French fries you’ve ever had, but with a rustic twist. The outside is all about that crunch, while the inside is pure, fluffy potato goodness.
RecipeTinEats keeps these simple and seasons them with butter and salt. But I usually hit them with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley right after they come out of the oven to make them extra addictive.
Pssst… you better whip up a double batch of these — I guarantee your guests won’t be able to have enough of them as you wait for the oysters to roast.
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Smashed potatoes
Ditch the oven
Grilled hasselback potatoes with chive butter
Make it creamy
Dauphinoise potatoes
What To Serve At An Oyster Roast – 39 Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion smashed potatoes
- 1 portion macaroni salad
- 1 portion corn on the cob
- 1 portion southern-style collard greens
- 1 portion mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 portion crab rangoon cups
- 1 portion … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your oyster roast according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: clam chowder, cornbread muffins, macaroni salad, lemon pasta, shrimp hushpuppies, crostinis, broccoli cheddar casserole, roasted green beans, sweet potato mash, crab rangoon cups, collard greens, grilled corn on the cob, and smashed potatoes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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