Description
Bring the taste of luxury seafood dining home with this simple yet elegant grilled scallops recipe. This dish combines buttery sea scallops with bright citrus notes and subtle garlic flavors, creating a restaurant-worthy meal in your backyard.
This recipe transforms fresh sea scallops into a delectable grilled masterpiece with golden-brown sear marks and a tender, juicy center. The preparation emphasizes the scallops’ natural sweetness while adding subtle layers of flavor through simple seasonings and careful grilling techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dry sea scallops (about 16 medium)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the scallops by removing the side muscle and patting them completely dry with paper towels.
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat (450°F to 550°F). Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons each of olive oil and melted butter in a small bowl.
- Brush the scallops with the oil-butter mixture on both sides, afterward season with salt and pepper.
- Place scallops on the preheated grill and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes on the first side.
- Simultaneously, mix the remaining butter with grated garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Flip the scallops and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the second side, or until they’re just opaque in the center.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- For outdoor grilling, thread scallops onto skewers to prevent them from falling through the grates
- Scallops should be opaque and firm but still slightly translucent in the center when done
- Avoid marinating longer than 2 hours as acid from lemon juice can start cooking the scallops
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling