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A plate of broiled scallops served with lemon slices and a side of salads

Broiled Scallops

Broiled Scallops are one of the easiest and most luxurious seafood dishes you can make at home. With just a few ingredients and under 15 minutes, you’ll have golden-topped, juicy broiled scallops bursting with flavor. Whether you're making a fancy dinner or a quick weeknight meal, this broiled scallops recipe is fast, foolproof, and absolutely delicious.
Course main, Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Keyword cooking scallops, how to cook scallops, scallops, scallops recipe, what are scallops
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 325 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Scallops

  • 1 lb Scallops Large size, patted dry

Seasoning

  • 3 Tablespoons Butter melted
  • 2 garlic clloves minced
  • 1 Tabelspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper or to taste

To serve

  • 1 lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Remove the scallops from the bag and pat them dry, then remove any side muscle if present.
    A bag of large plum scallops thawed
  2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This is a crucial tip for broiling. Avoid using parchment paper as it may burn, always opt for foil when lining your sheets.
  3. Season the scallops with the dry seasoning, some minced garlic and melted butter.
    scallops tossed in seasoning and melted butter on a foil lined baking sheet
  4. Toss well to coat.
  5. Broil The Scallops
    golden brown juicy scallops out of the broiler
  6. Preheat the broiler to high and have the oven rack about 7-8 inches away from the heat elements.
  7. Broil the scallops for about 5-7 minutes until the tops are golden and the scallops are just opaque in the center.
  8. Remove from the broiler and they're ready!
    finished plate of broiled scallops with a side of salad
  9. Serve
  10. To serve, simply plate it next to pasta, bread, rice or a simple salad we did here. Don't forget to have plenty of lemon wedges!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Scallops Recipe Tips

  1. If you're using frozen scallops, make sure you thaw them.
  2. Pat and dry them well. This helps the marinade and seasoning stick to the scallops. Most importantly, drying the scallops helps with the browning.
  3. You ca use any size scallops you prefer, but just add the cooking time accordingly.
  4. Arrange the scallops in a single layer always so they cook evenly.
  5. Broilers are a very high source of heat, so always keep an eye on the scallops. They may cook faster than you expect.
  6. Make sure to read the full tutorial on How to Cook Scallops. This covers everything from Seared Scallops to baked Scallops and all the tips you need!

Can I use frozen scallops?

Yes! We did so right here, but make sure you thaw them fully in the fridge overnight. And keep in mind you need to pat them completely dry before broiling.

How do I know when scallops are done?

They should be opaque in the center and lightly golden on top. A perfectly cooked scallop is slightly springy to the touch.

Should I flip the scallops when broiling?

No flipping needed—broiling cooks from the top down. Just make sure the tops are nicely browned.

What kind of pan should I use?

You need to use either a heavy duty cast iron skillet, or baking sheet. If using a baking sheet, make sure you line it with FOIL and never with parchment paper. The parchment can burn so quickly under the broiler. Avoid glass bakeware as it can shatter under direct broiler heat.

What’s the difference between broiled and seared scallops?

Broiled: Cooks under high heat from above, often slightly more hands-off. Seared: Cooks in a hot pan with direct contact, needing more active attention.

Can I use bay scallops?

Bay scallops are smaller and cook much faster. Reduce the broiling time to 2–3 minutes. We have used them in our Air Fryer Scallops.

What to serve with broiled scallops?

Nutrition Facts
Broiled Scallops
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 100mg33%
Sodium 1316mg57%
Potassium 562mg16%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 798IU16%
Vitamin C 29mg35%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.