Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Grilled Lemon Garlic Scallops
Lightly charred scallops get a bright lemon and garlic flavor in this simple grilled dish. Italian herbs bring a savory note beneath the citrus, while the soft centers keep each bite rich enough to enjoy with very little else on the plate.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 38 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 7 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Appetizers · Appetizers & snacks · Dinner · Main course · Sides
- Primary protein
- Seafood
- Cuisine
- American · Mediterranean
- Cooking method
- Grilling
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 31–60 minutes
A few quick notes
1. Mix marinade before adding
Combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic and Italian seasoning before tossing the seasoned scallops through the mixture.
2. Grease the grates
Oil the grill grates before adding the scallops so they are ready for the brief cooking time.
3. Look for light char
Cook the scallops on both sides until cooked through with a slight char on the surface.
Get to know the ingredients
Scallops
Season the scallops with salt and pepper before adding them to the lemon garlic marinade.
Lemon juice
Use fresh lemon juice in the marinade so it mixes with the olive oil and minced garlic.
Italian seasoning
Stir Italian seasoning into the oil and citrus mixture before adding the scallops to coat.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 3 steps completeMake room for Grilled Lemon Garlic Scallops
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Serve after grilling
Remove the scallops once cooked through and lightly charred, then serve immediately while still warm.
A little more help as you go
Use a grill plate
A grill plate is offered alongside the grill, preheated to medium high before adding the scallops.
Toss to coat
Turn the seasoned scallops through the prepared marinade so each piece is coated before cooking.
A few questions you might have
Can I use a grill plate?
Yes. The directions allow either a grill or grill plate preheated to medium high heat.
How long do the scallops grill?
Cook for about two minutes per side, until cooked through and lightly charred on the surface.
Should I grease the grates?
Yes. Grease the hot grates before placing the marinated scallops on the grill to cook.
When do I season the scallops?
Add salt and pepper before tossing them with the prepared lemon, garlic, oil and herb mixture.
What goes into the marinade?
Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic and Italian seasoning before adding the seasoned scallops.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: therecipecritic.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.