Grilled Scallops Recipe: Easy Galician Seafood Classic (58) 2026

These grilled scallops, known in Galicia as zamburiñas a la plancha, are one of the simplest and most rewarding seafood tapas you can make at home. A hot griddle, a quick garlic and parsley oil, and a few minutes of cooking are all it takes to bring out their sweet, briny flavor.

In the photos you will see Pacific scallops, which are what we found at the market. True Galician zamburiñas are scarce and hard to find even in Galicia during the season, so many people outside the region use volandeiras or Pacific scallops instead. The method is exactly the same, and the result is still delicious.

The recipe starts from scallops that are already open, clean and ready to use. If you buy them whole, wash them well on the outside, pry them open with a knife, remove the top shell and trim away everything except the body and coral. Then they are ready to hit the griddle.

Ingredients for Grilled Scallops

For 4 servings

• 2 garlic cloves
• Fresh parsley
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 scallops, volandeiras or Pacific scallops, cleaned and on the half shell
• Sea salt flakes (or regular fine salt)

How to Make Grilled Scallops Step by Step

1. Make the garlic and parsley oil

Peel and finely chop 2 garlic cloves, making sure to remove the green germ in the center so the flavor stays mild. Pick a small bunch of parsley, discard the stems and finely chop the leaves. Mix the garlic and parsley in a small bowl with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.

2. Heat the griddle and add the scallops

Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When it is hot but not smoking, place the 12 scallops meat-side down, so the flesh is in direct contact with the griddle.

3. Turn them quickly

Let them sear for about 1 minute, no longer, counting from the moment the first one goes in. Using a kitchen spatula, carefully flip them in the same order you placed them, working quickly so they do not overcook.

4. Season and finish cooking

Once flipped, season to taste with a little sea salt flakes (or regular fine salt) and spoon about 1 teaspoon of the garlic and parsley oil over each scallop. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the oil is hot and starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Grilled Scallops

Choose the right scallop

True Galician zamburiñas are scarce, so volandeiras or Pacific scallops are a fine substitute and cook the same way. Buy them already cleaned or ask your fishmonger to prepare them for you.

Keep the cooking time short

Scallops turn rubbery if they stay on the heat too long. Sear them for about 1 minute on the first side, flip quickly and finish for 2 to 3 minutes until the dressing bubbles.

Watch the heat

The griddle should be hot but not smoking when the scallops go in. Remove the garlic germ so the oil stays sweet rather than sharp, and spoon it on only after flipping so it warms through without burning.

30 Home Recipes I Keep Coming Back To

Maybe you're the same way — you like having a reliable lineup of cozy comfort dishes, well-known global favorites, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When nothing but something rich will do, I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luxurious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want fruit-forward comfort, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe never disappoints.

Morning meals and lighter plates tend to look like this airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or a bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. For a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I turn to this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

Some nights I'm after tapas and Mediterranean flavors, and then I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. For occasions that call for a bit more polish, I serve this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe with pride.

Big lunches and slow dinners usually mean this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If appetites run bigger, I'll bake this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of trying and tweaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've found that the ones that stick around are simple, built on dependable methods, and full of flavor.

The picks below are the ones I keep circling back to — whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, smooth Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something impressive yet effortless. Another favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a spot-on Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also big on sharing dishes from across the globe, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, golden Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another staple in my rotation since it saves time without sacrificing texture. My regular picks include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For those steering clear of wheat, my crowd-pleasing Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without gluten.

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