Grilled Scallops with lemon garlic butter is an easy recipe that always impresses! Scallops are sprinkled with a bold mix of seasonings before being grilled for just a few minutes to tender perfection. They cut like butter and pair perfectly with the citrusy, garlicky sauce on the side!

A batch of grilled scallops are served. on a round plate.


Grilled Scallops

I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer quite yet! And when I step outside, it seems like the sun is also holding on tight to the summer vibes. That means my grill is also staying nice and hot! As much as I love a classic grilled burger, these scallops have become my go-to lately – especially when I’m hosting family or friends. They’re deceptively impressive!

By that, I mean that they’re impressive to serve but secretly so very easy to make. They’re seasoned, cooked on both sides for just a few minutes, and served with a ridiculously good citrus garlic butter sauce. From start to finish, this easy grilled scallops recipe should only take you about 15 minutes or less to make. The only hard part is not drinking the butter sauce with a straw (mostly joking).

If you’ve never cooked scallops before, have no fear! They’re way easier to prepare than you may think. With that being said, it can also be all too easy to over or under cook scallops. Scroll down for my personal tips and tricks about cooking scallops that I’ve learned through a little trial and error myself. I recommend looking through those tips prior to cooking so you have the very best results!

A single grilled scallop is being topped with melted butter sauce.

How to Make Grilled Scallops

Grilling scallops only takes a few minutes! This is a great low-stress recipe for preparing just before your guests arrive.

  1. Prepare the scallops. Grab a paper towel and gently pat dry the scallops before drizzling with olive oil.
  2. Season the scallops. Whisk together the garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning all over the scallops.
  3. Make the butter sauce. This is great to do while the grill is heating up! Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, zest and herbs. Season with just a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm while you cook the scallops.
  4. Grill the scallops. Place the scallops flat side down on the grill. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, flip them, then cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  5. Enjoy! Remove the cooked scallops from the grill and serve immediately with lemon herb butter on the side.
A single scallop is placed on a lemon slice.

Tips for the Best Grilled Scallops

Here’s how to get the very best grilled scallops every single time! Spoiler – it’s a whole lot easier than you think.

  • Don’t over or under cook them. This is probably the most important key to good scallops! Cook them too long and they’ll turn rubbery. Too short and they’ll be raw. Cooked scallops should be golden brown on the outside and opaque all the way through.
  • You can use frozen scallops. Just keep in mind that they need to be fully thawed prior to seasoning and grilling. Do not grill frozen scallops!
  • Don’t let your scallops stick to the grill. This is why they’re prepared with olive oil first! If you’re nervous about it, you can always prepare your grill by brushing it with oil as well.

How to Store Scallops

Once cooled to room temperature, grilled scallops will stay fresh in the fridge for about 2 days. I do NOT recommend reheating in the microwave – this will turn the scallops rubbery. Instead, reheat in the air fryer for just a few minutes until warmed through.

A large serving of scallops and butter are placed on a round serving dish.

Check out more of the best grilled seafood recipes!

For more easy shellfish recipes, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

A large serving of scallops and butter are placed on a round serving dish.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Citrus Herb Butter Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Tender, juicy Grilled Scallops cook up quickly and taste like a restaurant worthy dinner when served with an easy citrus herb butter.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 grill
  • 1 saucepan

Instructions 

  • Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and drizzle with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Season both sides of the scallops and set aside.
  • Preheat grill.
  • In a small sauce pan, melt the butter. Stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, zest and herbs. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.
  • Grill the scallops by arranging on the grill, flat side down. Cook for 1-2 minutes and turn the scallops over using tongs or a spatula.
  • Grill for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the scallops are no longer translucent.
  • Remove from the grill and serve with the Citrus Herb Butter.

Notes

Grilled Scallops are a great quick dinner and are best if served soon after grilling.  Round out the meal by topping a fresh, seasonal green salad with your scallops.
 
Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 826mg, Potassium: 273mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 531IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American, seafood