Cooking scallops might seem fancy or intimidating, but they’re extremely easy to make at home. Though you typically see scallops pan-seared—and they’re obviously delicious that way—grilling scallops adds a different dimension of flavor and a slight smokiness. (Especially if you grill over charcoal or hardwood.) When seasoned with some salt, pepper, and chili flakes, they’re pure gold. Oh, and did we mention they take 5 minutes?
What to look for when shopping for scallops
When shopping for scallops, opt for fresh over frozen if you can, since frozen scallops can be lacking in flavor and have a chewier texture. Look for bright, white fresh scallops that are uniform in shape with no bruises or tears in the muscle.
Ingredients
- 1 lb.medium scallops, patted dry
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp.chopped chives
- 1 tsp.crushed red chili flakes
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
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- Step 1Heat grill to medium-high. Season scallops generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 2Grill, covered, 4 minutes without disturbing. Flip and grill uncovered, until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Step 3Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with chives and red pepper flakes, and serve with lemon.