Grilled Seafood Platter with Garlic Lemon Butter, and the Joy of Outdoor Cooking
- Eliane Muskus
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Celebrate the flavors of summer with a grilled seafood platter featuring lobster, prawns, scallops, and more—served with a zesty garlic lemon butter sauce and inspired by coastal Canadian BBQ traditions.
Let’s Bring the Coast to Your Table
Whether you're celebrating a summer evening, recreating a memory, or just indulging in something truly delicious, this grilled seafood platter is always a hit. It’s light, elegant, and bursting with flavor. Just close your eyes and imagine the market, the sunshine, and that first bite of grilled lobster dipped in garlicky lemon butter.
Because some meals aren’t just about the food—they’re about the experience.
During the years I lived and studied in Montreal, Canada, one of my favorite seasonal rituals began the moment the snow melted and the first warm days arrived. After a long and often brutal winter, we’d make our way to the seafood market on Sherbrooke Street, eager to bring home the freshest catch. Lobster, scallops, prawns, squid—everything was beautifully displayed and impossible to resist.
Back at home, we’d fire up the grill and celebrate the return of warmth with a generous seafood BBQ. It was always a treat—simple, luxurious, and bursting with flavor. This grilled seafood platter brings that memory to life. It’s light, elegant, and perfect for sharing, served with a zesty garlic lemon butter sauce and just the right hint of heat. Whether you're by the water or on your city balcony, this recipe is a true taste of summer.
Grilled Seafood Platter with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
🦞 Seafood Selection (serves 4)
Feel free to mix and match based on what’s freshest.
2 lobster tails, halved
12 large prawns, peeled with tail on
8 scallops
2 small squid, cleaned and sliced into rings (or baby calamari)
Optional: octopus tentacles, lightly pre-boiled until tender
🍋 Simple Marinade for Grilling
Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
Whisk everything together. Lightly brush over the seafood just before grilling. You don’t need a heavy marinade—just enough to bring out the freshness and prevent sticking.
🔥 Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce with a Kick
Perfect for dipping or drizzling.
Ingredients:
100g (about 1 stick) unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
Juice of ½ lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp chopped flat leaf parsley
Salt to taste
Optional: A pinch of chili flakes (or more if you like heat)
‼️This dipping sauce is so good that I usually double or even triple the recipe—trust me, there are never any leftovers.
Instructions:
Melt the butter gently over low heat.
Add garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds—don’t let it brown.
Stir in lemon juice, zest, chili flakes, and parsley.
Keep warm and serve in a small bowl for dipping.
👩🍳 Chef’s Note: How to Avoid Rubbery Seafood
The secret to perfectly grilled seafood is speed and precision. Here are my golden rules:
✅️ Use high heat for a short time—seafood cooks fast.
✅️ Pat seafood dry before grilling to encourage caramelization.
✅️ Don’t overcrowd the grill—give each piece room to cook evenly.
✅️ Scallops and prawns need only 1–2 minutes per side. Lobster takes about 4–5 minutes, depending on size.
✅️ Use a grill basket if you're worried about pieces falling through.
✅️ Overcooked seafood becomes rubbery and loses its delicate flavor. Pull it off the grill as soon as it’s opaque and firm to the touch.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
Pair your grilled seafood platter with:
Crusty French bread for soaking up the buttery sauce
Grilled asparagus or green beans with a touch of sea salt
Chilled white wine or rosé—I always loved a crisp Sauvignon Blanc
Baby potatoes with herbs or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
This platter is a real showstopper—and you don’t need much else. Keep it fresh, simple, and let the ingredients shine.