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Oysters with Champagne-Vinegar Mignonette

These elegant oysters with champagne vinegar mignonette offer a sophisticated start to any dinner party. By lightly grilling the oysters until the butter sizzles and the edges just begin to curl, you enhance their natural sweetness while maintaining a delicate texture. The sharp, shallot-infused vinegar dressing provides a bright contrast to the rich butter, while a garnish of tiny grapes adds a refined burst of flavour.

As a diabetes-friendly appetiser, this dish is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in essential minerals. The recipe uses a bed of coarse salt to stabilise the shells, ensuring none of the delicious oyster liquor is lost during cooking. Serve these warm as a luxurious light bite or a healthy, impressive seafood first course.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Oysters with Champagne-Vinegar Mignonette

  • 2 teaspoons Champagne vinegar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot

  • Pinch of coarsely ground black pepper

  • Pinch of sugar

  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 1 1/2 cups kosher or other coarse salt

  • 1/2 dozen small oysters, such as Kumamoto or Prince Edward Island, shells scrubbed well and oysters left on the half shell, their liquor reserved and oysters picked over for shell fragments

  • 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

  • 1 small cluster Champagne table grapes or 2 finely diced seedless red grapes

How to make Oysters with Champagne-Vinegar Mignonette

Stir together vinegar, shallot, pepper, and sugar and let stand 30 minutes.

Preheat grill.

Spread 110g salt in an 8- to 10-inch flameproof shallow baking dish or pan. Arrange oysters on their shells in salt, then top each with a piece of butter.

Grill 4 to 6 inches from heat until butter is melted and sizzling and edges of oysters are beginning to curl, 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir parsley into mignonnette. Divide remaining 110g salt between 2 plates and arrange 3 oysters on each. Spoon 1/4 teaspoons mignonnette over each oyster and sprinkle oysters with grapes. Serve warm.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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