This is a scrumptious blend of butter, garlic, shallots, basil, and parsley sauce poured over succulent escargot. It is a heavenly recipe to serve as an appetizer for a dinner party or special family get-together. It can be made even more exotic topped with a breadcrumb or pastry crust when baked! Also, try my Snails In Wine & Mushrooms or Raclette Cheese Dinner Yummy!
❤️About This Recipe
Escargot in French or caracoles in Spanish are land snails by any other name. The thought may not be appetizing to some but is a delightful delicacy to others.
There are many delightful Hors d'Oeuvres Recipes here on my site for you to enjoy that make a great accompaniment to this dish Quick and Easy Olive Tapenade, Traditional Chicken Terrine Recipe, and Classic Tarte Flambée.
In France escargot served in a garlic butter sauce is a classic traditional way to eat them and other European countries serve them this way as well. Land snails are also eaten in Morocco, Greece, Nagaland India, and Indonesia which serve them in a variety of ways.
There are step-by-step instructions in another of my posts on How To Prepare Escargot on the right way to clean and ready live snails properly if that is your choice. But for many simply purchasing this food in a can or frozen is preferred.
📝Ingredient List
- butter
- shallot
- snails
- garlic
- parsley
- basil leaves
- unsalted butter
- salt and pepper
Quantities in recipe card.
🔢Instructions
- Preheat oven 400°F/200°C/Gas 6
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan, sweat shallot, and snails for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper, set aside in a bowl. (Wondering how to "sweat" food? See notes below.)
- In a processor or blender add 8 cloves of garlic, 1 cup parsley, basil leaves, ½ cup unsalted butter chopped into pieces, a little salt and pepper, and blend.
- Place snails in oven-proof serving dishes, and generously cover with garlic butter blend,
- Optionally, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, croutons, or puff pastry (Use my light, flakey puff pastry recipe to cut little squares to top your escargot.)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
🔄Substitutions
These are more of an addition than a substitution.
- a pinch of nutmeg
- a bit of crushed thyme, tarragon or choose from a herb selection here.
Top Tip
Serving hot with lots of buttery sauce is key to this exquisite appetizer.
FAQ
Most recipes I have seen start by cooking or heating the snails in butter with herbs in a saute pan. Sometimes they are finished in the oven with a cheese and/or pastry topping.
Snails purchased in a can are usually cooked, but it is advisable to read the outside of the can for directions.
📖 Recipe
Escargot Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 sliced shallot
- 24 snails
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 cup parsley
- 12 large basil leaves
- ½ cup unsalted butter chopped into pieces
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400°F/200°C/Gas 6
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in saucepan, sweat shallot and snails for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper, set aside in a bowl. (Wondering how to "sweat" food? See notes below.)
- In a processor or blender add 8 cloves of garlic, 1 cup parsley, basil leaves, ½ cup unsalted butter chopped into pieces, a little salt and pepper, and blend.
- Place snails in oven-proof serving dishes, and generously cover with garlic butter blend,
- Optionally, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, croutons, or puff pastry.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
If you tried this recipe please let us know.