Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter
A vibrant New Orleans-inspired seafood platter featuring a variety of Gulf seafood grilled over wood fire and topped with a spicy Cajun butter sauce. This seafood-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 30 minutes pairs large, peeled and deveined shrimp, large sea scallops, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 large, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 large sea scallops
- 4 fillets, about 6 oz each white fish fillets (such as redfish or snapper)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Toss 12 large shrimp, 8 large sea scallops, and 4 white fish fillets with 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Place the seafood on the grill and cook shrimp and scallops for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred; grill fish fillets for 4-5 minutes per side until flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: While grilling, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley into the butter mixture, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Arrange the grilled seafood on a platter and drizzle generously with the Cajun butter sauce. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and crusty bread if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large sea scallops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Seafood Platter with Cajun Butter?
Seafood bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
