Fire up the grill because these perfectly seared grilled scallops deliver incredible flavor, quick cook times, and an irresistible restaurant-quality finish right in your backyard.
These grilled scallops are a simple yet impressive seafood recipe that’s ideal for summer cookouts, weeknight dinners, or your next backyard BBQ. Featuring large sea scallops seasoned lightly and finished with a buttery garlic glaze, this dish delivers smoky char, sweet tenderness, and rich coastal flavor in every bite. Whether you’re grilling over charcoal, gas, or a flat-top, this easy scallop recipe cooks in minutes and pairs beautifully with fresh lemon, herbs, grilled veggies, or your favorite summer sides. If you’re looking for a fast, elegant, and protein-packed seafood option, this is the best grilled scallops recipe to master.
Feeds 4 people
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Why Grilled Scallops Work
High-Heat Grilling Creates the Perfect Char: Using medium to high heat allows the scallops to sear quickly, developing a golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. This fast sear locks in moisture and delivers that signature smoky flavor you can only get from the grill.
Garlic Herb Butter Adds Richness Without Overpowering: The melted butter mixed with lemon, garlic, and parsley enhances the natural sweetness of the scallops instead of covering it up. As the butter melts over the grill, it bastes the scallops and builds layers of flavor that complement seafood beautifully.
Skewering Ensures Even Cooking: Threading the scallops onto skewers helps them cook uniformly and prevents them from falling through the grates. This method also makes flipping easier, which is essential for achieving an even char and consistent internal temperature.
Simple Seasoning Lets the Scallops Shine: With just lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, herbs, and butter, the flavor stays clean and coastal. The recipe uses minimal ingredients, allowing the high-quality scallops and smoky grill flavor to stand out while still tasting rich and restaurant-worthy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large ocean scallops
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (save a pinch for garnish)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning (or your preferred seafood seasoning)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Lemon slices, for serving
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- Wooden or metal BBQ skewers
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Scallops: First, thread all of your scallops onto skewers, making sure they’re spaced evenly for consistent grilling.
Add Oil and Seasoning: Next, lightly coat the scallops with olive oil, then generously season both sides with lemon pepper or your preferred seafood seasoning.
Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium heat. While it warms up, start preparing your garlic butter.
Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. After that, stir in the lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until well combined.
Prepare the Grill Grates: Before placing the scallops down, oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. This step helps achieve that clean, beautiful char.
Grill the Scallops: Place the scallops directly on the grill and flip them every 2 minutes so each side develops a golden char and cooks evenly.
Baste for Maximum Flavor: As they cook, baste the scallops with the warm garlic and herb butter to add richness and keep them tender.
Finish Cooking: Once the scallops reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), they are perfectly cooked.
Serve: Finally, baste them once more, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon slices.
Grilling scallops at home is one of the easiest ways to bring restaurant-quality seafood straight to your backyard. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes over medium heat, these Buttery Char-Grilled Scallops deliver incredible flavor and a perfectly tender bite every time. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, cooking for family, or simply craving something fresh and coastal, this simple recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve them with lemon, pair them with your favorite sides, and enjoy a dish that tastes like pure summertime.
If you love grilled seafood i recommend trying my Grilled Lobster Tails or Smoked Stuffed Shrimp
Buttery Char-Grilled Scallops
These grilled scallops are a simple yet impressive seafood recipe that’s ideal for summer cookouts, weeknight dinners, or your next backyard BBQ. Featuring large sea scallops seasoned lightly and finished with a buttery garlic glaze, this dish delivers smoky char, sweet tenderness, and rich coastal flavor in every bite. Whether you're grilling over charcoal, gas, or a flat-top, this easy scallop recipe cooks in minutes and pairs beautifully with fresh lemon, herbs, grilled veggies, or your favorite summer sides. If you're looking for a fast, elegant, and protein-packed seafood option, this is the best grilled scallops recipe to master.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large ocean scallops
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (save a pinch for garnish)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning (or your preferred seafood seasoning)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Lemon slices, for serving
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- Wooden or metal BBQ skewers
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Scallops: First, thread all of your scallops onto skewers, making sure they’re spaced evenly for consistent grilling.
Add Oil and Seasoning: Next, lightly coat the scallops with olive oil, then generously season both sides with lemon pepper or your preferred seafood seasoning.
Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium heat. While it warms up, start preparing your garlic butter.
Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. After that, stir in the lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until well combined.
Prepare the Grill Grates: Before placing the scallops down, oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. This step helps achieve that clean, beautiful char.
Grill the Scallops: Place the scallops directly on the grill and flip them every 2 minutes so each side develops a golden char and cooks evenly.
Baste for Maximum Flavor: As they cook, baste the scallops with the warm garlic and herb butter to add richness and keep them tender.
Finish Cooking: Once the scallops reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), they are perfectly cooked.
Serve: Finally, baste them once more, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon slices.
Notes
High-Heat Grilling Creates the Perfect Char: Using medium to high heat allows the scallops to sear quickly, developing a golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. This fast sear locks in moisture and delivers that signature smoky flavor you can only get from the grill.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Sodium: 390mgSugar: 0gProtein: 18g