Grilled Scallops with Lemon Aioli and Arugula

Heck Yes, You Can (and Should) Grill Scallops!

Quick, high heat is ideal for a food that you want to be certain not to overcook and scallops are a food that you want to be extra careful with. Not only are they pricey, but they can become rubbery if they’re overdone. A light, quick kiss of char and smoke brings these gorgeous shellfish to life. And our favorite way to serve them is over a bed of spicy arugula and creamy, lemon aioli for a fresh and summery meal to remember.

What To Serve With Grilled Scallops

When it came to grilling scallops, the word was “skewers”. When it comes to what to serve with grilled scallops, we’ve got just three words for you: homemade lemon aioli. This aioli echoes the garlicky, honey-and-smoked paprika marinade we used before grilling, so it makes for a gorgeous compliment to your grilled scallops. Simply whisk together:

• Mayonnaise
• Garlic
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika)
• Honey

A Honey-Kissed Marinade for Scallops

Alright, enough nerding out. Let’s get cooking! While we’d never want to overpower their sweet, delicate flavor, sea scallops can benefit from a quick marinade made from a few carefully chosen ingredients. Before these scallops hit the grill, we give them a quick marinade in a combination of:

• Olive oil
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika)

How To Grill Scallops

If the idea of grilling scallops calls to mind an image of standing over a hot fire while trying to keep 25 little individual sea scallops from falling between the grates of your grill, we’ve got one word for you: SKEWERS. There! Now you’re feeling more confident about this scallop recipe already, aren’t you? Here’s how to do it:

1. Marinate the scallops for an hour in the fridge. Don’t let them marinate more than an hour—if you’ve got to err, err on the side of less than an hour rather than more.
2. Skewer the scallops! 4-5 scallops per skewer. Work somewhat quickly—the scallops will be easier to grill if they’re still cold from the fridge.
3. Grill the scallops! On a nice, hot grill, they will take 2-3 minutes per side. If you’re feeling unsure, you can always slice one open to check for doneness.
4. Eat the scallops! The best part!

Yay For Fancy Scallops!

If you make this scallop recipe, we want to hear about it! Snap a photo of your grilled scallops with lemon aioli, and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!