This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
These grilled scallops are so full of flavor! They’re easy to cook and only need a few seasoning ingredients to taste irresistibly tender and savory. It’s a fun summer dinner idea, served over a bed of rice, couscous or orzo.
Why we love this recipe
Are you a scallops lover? Then stop right there and make these grilled scallops! They come out incredibly tender and full of flavor. When I took the first bite, I set down my fork and looked at Alex in amazement. There’s nothing fancy here: just scallops and a grill. Really!
Grilling scallops is much easier than searing them in a pan. You don’t have to worry about how hot the pan is or getting an even crisp crust. Nope, just pop them on the grill and in 5 minutes they’re juicy and ready to eat. Outside of grilled shrimp, they’re one of our favorite grilled dinners—period! Serve over a bed of lemon rice or orzo for a fun summer dinner idea.
Want to sear them instead? Try Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Herb Sauce, or Scallop Pasta with Lemon & Herbs.
Ingredients for grilled scallops
Alex and I eat mostly plant-based, but every now and then we splurge on some seafood. And let me tell you: these grilled scallops are at the top of our list for summer! The nice thing about scallops is that they taste incredible seasoned with just salt and pepper. They’re one of our very favorite scallop recipes because they’re just so simple to prepare and juicy. Here’s what you need to make grilled scallops:
- Medium sea scallops, fresh or frozen (we use frozen)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
How to grill scallops: a few tips
There aren’t many tricks to making stellar grilled scallops. All you need to know is the basic grill temperature and cook time: then memorize it and make them on repeat! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
- Thaw the scallops: this takes about 15 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat: that’s 375 to 450°F.
- Pat dry and mix with olive oil, salt and pepper. Make sure they’re as dry as possible so the olive oil will stick.
- Place on the grates and grill about 5 minutes, turning once. Grill until browned on the bottom, then flip with tongs. If you want you can spritz with fresh lemon juice before serving: but they’re just as good without!
Make it a meal!
There are so many things that pair well with grilled scallops to make a healthy dinner! Of course, you can go ultra simple and just do something like a green salad and rice. But here are some of our top picks of what to serve with scallops:
- Summer salads. Try any of our top salads for summer like Strawberry Salad, Watermelon Salad, Grilled Caesar Salad, or Greek Orzo Salad.
- Grilled veggies. There are infinitely more grilled veggies to add: try this Grilled Peppers, Corn, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Potato Wedges, Green Beans, Grilled Asparagus or Grilled Mushrooms.
- Summer drinks. If you’re entertaining, you need a signature summer drink! Try Aperol Spritz, Vodka Tonics or Easy Peach Sangria.
- Dessert! Try Grilled Pineapple or Grilled Apples a la Mode.
How to thaw frozen scallops
You can use either frozen or fresh shellfish for this grilled scallops recipe. Most of the time frozen is as good quality as fresh since it’s frozen right after it was caught! Of course, the hardest part about frozen scallops it remembering to thaw them. Here’s how to do it:
- Day before (best option): If you think ahead, simply place the frozen scallops in the refrigerator overnight.
- Day of (in a pinch): Keep the frozen scallops in the package or place them in a resealable plastic bag. Place the package of bag into a large bowl with cold water. The scallops should thaw in about 30 minutes.
What to look for when buying scallops
Want to buy sustainable scallops? How to find the right fish at the store? Here are a few things to note when buying scallops:
- Look for sea scallops, not bay scallops. This recipe is for medium-sized sea scallops, which cook up easily on the grill. Avoid bay scallops because they are very small and are harder to grill.
- Look for wild-caught or US caught. Wild caught scallops are preferable if you can find them. If you live in the US, look for US caught. Imported seafood runs the risk of being overfished, caught under unfair labor practices, or farmed in environmentally harmful ways.
Dietary notes
This grilled scallops recipe is pescatarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Large sea scallops are ideal for grilling as they are less likely to fall through the grates and have a nice surface area for searing.
Fresh scallops should have a sweet, mild aroma and be firm to the touch. Avoid scallops that smell fishy or have a slimy texture.
Scallops cook quickly! Grill them for 3 to 5 minutes total over medium-high heat, turning after 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are opaque and slightly firm.
Easy Grilled Scallops
These grilled scallops are so full of flavor! They’re easy to cook and only need a few seasoning ingredients to taste irresistibly tender and savory. It’s a fun summer dinner idea, served over a bed of rice, couscous or orzo.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium-sized sea scallops, frozen or fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw the scallops, if frozen. (See the notes in the section above.)
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450°F).
- Pat the scallops dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Place them in a bowl and mix them with the olive oil, salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
- Place the scallops directly on the grill grates and grill them 2 to 3 minutes until browned on bottom. Flip and grill for 1 to 2 minutes until just opaque.
Hook and line for scallops???
Look for hook and line as one example of a sustainable type of fishing gear. Bottom trawling is considered the most destructive and least sustainable method.
Great catch: that was an error and we’ve removed that now! Thank you so much.
will a conventional oven work instead of a grill?
Yes, a hot pan with butter will work as well!