This quick Traeger smoked scallops recipe is packed with a huge smoke flavor. My method of smoking scallops on the pellet grill includes an herby, butter sauce with lemon and garlic. It’s so good!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: BBQ
Keyword: how to smoke scallops, Pellet grill scallops, smoked scallops, smoking scallops, traeger scallops
For smoking scallops in a cast iron pan on the smoker
1lbscallopslarge sea scallops, thawed overnight if from frozen
½tspsalt
¼tsppepper
For the lemon butter sauce
½lemonjuice
3tbspbuttersalted if desired
½tbspgarlicchopped
1tbspolive oil
1tbspparsleyfresh chopped
Instructions
Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 450 degrees F. Add a large cast iron pan on top of the grill grates in the smoker so it also preheats during this time (my cast iron skillet in the Sip Bite Go recipe demo is 12” round).
Prep scallops for smoking. First, if desired, remove the “foot” of the scallop - officially called the adductor muscle - if you see one still attached, hanging off the scallop. Then run the scallops under cold running water. Next, pat scallops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the scallops with salt and pepper. (This is also a good time to prep the sauce ingredients for later so you can quickly add them when the time comes)
Smoke scallops in a cast iron pan. Add olive oil to the preheated cast iron skillet in the Traeger. Add scallops and close the pellet grill lid. Sear the scallops in the smoker for 5 - 8 minutes, until golden brown.
Continue smoking scallops on the other side. Flip scallops over, close the lid again, and let them smoke for 5 minutes.
Quickly add sauce ingredients to the cast iron pan in the smoker. Toss in the butter, chopped garlic, and lemon juice. Smoke scallops in butter sauce 5 more minutes (the butter smokes as it melts and tastes so delicious).
Remove scallops. The skillet will be hot, so carefully remove the cast iron pan with smoked scallops when scallops reach about 120 degrees F as measured with an internal read thermometer (with intention that they’ll rise to 125 degrees F when served).
Finishsmoked scallops. Top with chopped parsley and enjoy.