These grilled scallops will melt in your mouth! Lightly marinated in garlic and lemon juice, this easy recipe is simply delicious. These fool-proof grilled scallops are the perfect way to impress family and friends with your culinary skills at your next summer gathering!
This recipe is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What Makes These Grilled Scallops So Good
- They really are so simple to make! Marinate the scallops in a lemon and garlic mixture, place on skewers, and then grill for just a couple minutes per side. In under 15 minutes you’ll have restaurant-quality grilled scallops that are cooked to perfection!
- They’re soft, buttery, and have that classic smoky grill flavor throughout. Achieving crispy outside and tender inside scallops can be quite tricky using most other cooking methods. Though this grilled scallops method guarantees juicy scallops with a deliciously charred exterior!
- This is the perfect recipe for a crowd! It tastes fancy, but is actually very easy to make. Scallops are also a fun addition to an otherwise meat-abundant barbecue.
Key Ingredients for Grilled Scallops
Scallops – Any size or variety of scallops will work! Just keep in mind that the smaller your scallops are, the less time they’ll take to cook. I used relatively large scallops and 3 minutes per side was perfect. I also purchased my scallops from Sprouts Farmers Market, where they offer 100% sustainably sourced seafood. When you shop sustainably sourced seafood, you’re supporting fisheries who reduce the pressure on our ecosystems caused by overfishing and habitat-damaging fishing methods.
Lemon Juice – The lemon juice add just a touch of flavor and a bit of brightness to this grilled scallops recipe. Either fresh or bottled lemon juice will work! If you don’t have lemon juice, you can use lime juice instead.
Chef’s Tips
- If using wooden skewers for this recipe, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before sliding on the scallops. This way, the skewers will soak up enough water to avoid catching fire while on the grill. Though if you have metal skewers, use them!
- Scallops cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them while they’re on the grill! Smaller scallops can take as little as 1 minute per side to cook. If you’re worried about undercooked scallops, simply remove one from the grill and slice it open to give you a sense of whether or not they’re done cooking.
- These grilled scallops are best enjoyed immediately after cooking! Though if you have any leftover, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, place the leftover scallops in an oven set to 325° Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes or until warm throughout.
More Grilled Recipes You’ll Love
- Grilled Eggplant
- Baked Potatoes on the Grill
- Elote
- Grilled Peaches with Honey
- Maple Glazed Grilled Carrots
- Grilled Cauliflower
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Grilled Scallops
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Metal grilling skewers (or bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)
- Grill
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 pounds sea scallops
Instructions
- Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl then toss in the scallops.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove scallops from marinade and slide 4-5 onto each skewer.
- Cook scallops for 2-3 minutes per side or until opaque.
Notes
- Feel free to use a meat thermometer to check if your scallops are done cooking! Fully cooked scallops will read at an internal temperature of around 145°.
Nutrition
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Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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