Oysters Kilpatrick is a classic Oyster appetizer, topped with bacon and tangy Worcestershire Sauce. Perfect for entertaining or as a treat for seafood lovers. Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - looks fancy but surprisingly easy to prepare. Just mix, spoon and grill!
- Flavorful - an amazing blend of oysters with salty bacon and sauce, creating a delicious umami flavor - contrasting oysters with crispy bacon
- An Australian Classic - enjoyed in restaurants and pubs all over a Australia and easily made at home
- Elegant - Oysters always elevate your dinner parties, perfect as a finger food or as an appetizer
Ingredients
- Fresh Oysters - shucked in a half shell is easier and faster
- Bacon
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Rock Salt
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Mixing Bowl
- Grill or Oven
- Shucking Knife - if your Oysters are whole
How to Make Oysters Kilpatrick
- Preheat - set Grill on high, or set oven to Grill (425°F/220°C).
- Mixing Toppings - slice bacon into thin strips and mix with Worcestershire Sauce in a small bowl.
- Prepare Tray - spread a generous layer of Rock Salt on a baking tray, about 1-2 inches thick. The salt keeps the Oysters in place while cooking.
- Assemble - spoon the Bacon on top of the shucked Oysters and nestle in the Rock Salt.
- Grill - cook the Oysters for 7-10 minutes until bacon is cooked and crispy.
- Serve - enjoy immediately with a side of lemon wedges. Be careful as Oyster shells are hot.
Oyster Variations
- Cheesy Kilpatrick - one of my favorites! After bacon has cooked, top with a slice of Havarti, Gouda or Edam Cheese and melt before serving
- Spicy Kilpatrick - add a dash of Tabasco Sauce or Cayenne Pepper
- Asian Kilpatrick - substitute Worcestershire with Soy Sauce and a dash of Sesame Oil, top with Green Onions
- Thai Kilpatrick - toss Bacon with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce for a sweet and spicy kick
- Bbq Kilpatrick - add 1 teaspoon of Smokey Bbq Sauce or Tomato Sauce (Ketchup) for a rich flavor
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Fresh Oysters - for best flavor only use the freshest Oysters
- Shucked Oysters - this is the easiest way to buy Oysters, a time saver, ready to be eaten or grilled
- Don't Overcook - this can cause Oysters to be rubbery. Cook only until the bacon is crispy and the sides are bubbling
- Swap Bacon - try Prosciutto, Pancetta, Turkey Bacon or diced Ham
- HOT - grilled Oysters are very hot, and the Rock Salt is also hot. Be careful not to burn yourself while handling
- Serve on a Fresh Platter - as it is often too hot to serve on the table, prepare a clean, secondary platter with Rock Salt. Using tongs, transfer the grilled Oysters to the fresh tray and serve. It makes it easier to serve, but will cool down faster.
Oysters Kilpatrick Origin
Origins aren't exactly known but are associated with Australia. A story is there was an Irishman named Patrick who was an Oyster fisherman with a bad heart. One day the Oyster haul was so large, that Paddy died while hauling it into the boat. The local newspaper reported the following day "Oysters Kill Patrick"... Which is kind of a funny story for a recipe, but doesn't explain if it's actually true.
Can I Grill This On A BBQ?
Yes. Set BBQ to high (425°F/220°C). Place Oysters directly on the Grill Grates. Close BBQ lid and cook for 5-10 minutes until Bacon is crispy and sides are bubbling. Remove from Grill using tongs and serve immediately.
Best Oysters for this Recipe
Honestly, the best one is the freshest one you have! Some recommend large, meaty Oysters like Pacific or Sydney Rock Oysters, but small bite size ones also taste great!
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge - place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 1 day for best flavor.
- Freezer - nope.
- Reheating - gently reheat under a Grill, Air Fryer or Oven
Seafood Recipes You'll Love
- Asian Dressed Fresh Oysters
- Air Fryer Crayfish - Lobster Tails
- Boiled Crawfish or Yabbies with Dill
- Grilled Snapper with Mango Salsa
- Beer Battered Fish
- Grilled Crayfish (Lobster)
- Shrimp Mango Salad
- Grilled Baby Octopus
- Linguine Vongole
- Ukha - Fishermans Soup
Oysters Kilpatrick is how I fell in love with eating Oysters, it's an Aussie classic. If you've only had raw Oysters, you really must try Oysters Kilpatrick, I promise you won't want to eat your Oysters any other way. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Mixing Bowl
- Grill or Oven
- Shuck Knife if Oysters are whole
Ingredients
- 12 Oysters shucked
- 4 Bacon Rashers - Back Bacon or Streaky sliced into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Rock Salt
Instructions
- Preheat - set grill on high, or set oven to grill.
- Mixing Toppings - slice bacon into thin strips and mix with Worcestershire Sauce in a small bowl.
- Prepare Tray - spread a generous layer of Rock Salt on a baking tray, about 1-2 inches thick. The salt keeps the Oysters in place while cooking.
- Assemble - spoon the Bacon on top of the shucked Oysters and nestle in the Rock Salt.
- Grill - cook the Oysters for 5-10 minutes until bacon is cooked and crispy.
- Serve - enjoy immediately with a side of lemon wedges. Be careful as Oyster shells are hot.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally published June 1016, updated December 2024
Blitzo
Hi Peter, your recipe is very delicious! I love it so much.
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thanks! I love Oysters Kilpatrick, perfect appetizer when entertaining!
Martha
Just what I remembered!! Lived in N. Queensland and had Oysters Kilpatrick for the first time. These were as good!!
Peter Kolesnichenko
Thanks Martha! So easy to make, one of my favorite ways to enjoy oysters!!
Abby
Oh my gosh this look delicious!
PetersFoodAdventures
Thanks so much Abby! It was a fun one to eat, I mean blog.... 🙂
Lynne (Lynne's Recipe Trails)
Oh wow! this sounds awesome. !!!!! I can just imagine those flavours together 🙂 I just have to get oysters now !!!!
PetersFoodAdventures
Thanks Lynne! It's definitely a winner! ????