Scallops are a true delicacy of the sea, offering a sweet, delicate flavor and tender texture that make them a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. These household-loved favorites can be prepared in numerous ways, and our round—up of scallop recipes, from simple pan-searing to elaborate pasta dishes, ensures just that. When cooked properly, scallops develop a beautiful golden crust while maintaining their succulent interior.

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Proper Preparation Is Essential

Patting scallops completely dry with paper towels is crucial to achieving a golden-brown sear and preventing excess liquid release during cooking.

Quick Cooking Time Is Critical

Scallops cook very quickly, typically requiring only 2-3 minutes per side, and it's better to undercook slightly as they'll continue cooking after being removed from heat.

Versatile Flavor Pairings

Scallops pair beautifully with various flavor profiles, from classic garlic butter to Asian-inspired sauces and citrus glazes, making them adaptable to different culinary styles.

Simple Technique Yields Impressive Results

The most popular cooking method—searing in a hot pan with oil and butter—creates a caramelized exterior while maintaining a tender, translucent interior that even novice cooks can master.

Complementary Sides Matter

Scallops shine when served with complementary sides like pasta, roasted vegetables, or rice, which help balance their delicate flavor while creating a complete meal.

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Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, scallops are surprisingly easy to prepare at home. The key to perfect scallops lies in proper preparation and timing. Fresh scallops should have a slightly sweet ocean smell and a pearly white or light tan color. Before cooking, it’s essential to pat them dry thoroughly to achieve that coveted golden sear.

In this collection of recipes, we’ve gathered seven foolproof ways to prepare scallops that will impress your family or make for a beautiful meal at home. Each recipe has been selected to showcase different cooking techniques and flavor combinations while remaining accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.

Easy Scallop Recipes:

@cookingwithcarrrl

Seared Scallops . 6-8 Jumbo Scallops Pinch of Salt & Pepper per Scallop 1 Tbsp Oil 2 Tbsp Butter (optional) . Remove side muscle from each scallop and gently rinse with cold water. Pat dry then place onto a kitchen towel and fold the towel on top of the scallops. Place in the fridge for an hour, this will remove the excess moisture and make a good sear. Heat a skillet to medium high heat and add oil. Season each scallop and add to the pan for 2 minutes, flip when they flip with ease and release from the pan. You can add butter and baste them at this point, if not, that’s fine too! Remove after 2 minute, top with fresh lemon juice, and eat hot! #Scallops #Seafood #SearedScallops #SurfNoTurf #SeaScallops #SeafoodRecipe #CookingHacks

♬ Blitzkrieg Bop (Mono) – Ramones

Classic Pan-Seared Scallops

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels.
2. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil and butter in a large pan over high heat.
4. Once pan is very hot, add scallops.
5. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over scallops.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

@snackingemily

If you’re looking for a homemade dinner that’s impressive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make, may I suggest scallops and linguine. Less is more when it comes to seafood pasta in my opinion. As long as you cook the scallops right, you’re in business.  The most important part when searing scallops is patience! Don’t move them around; the stillness and sticking to the pan is how they char nicely. Place those golden babies on a bed of pasta that’s been cooked in a white wine, garlic, shallot, lemony parsley sauce and you have yourself a meal that you’ll devour.  Ingredients: 8 oz pasta 1 lb scallops 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp olive oil 10 cloves garlic 1 shallot 4 tbsp butter ¼ cup parsley, plus more for garnish ¼ cup dry white wine Juice of one lemon Salt to taste  Pepper to taste  ¼ cup shredded Parmesan Red flakes Instructions: 1. Boil 8 oz linguini in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. 2. When you drop the pasta in the water, start on the scallops. Pat the scallops with a paper towel to pick up my moisture. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. 3. Heat a pan to medium high and add the oil and 2 tbsp butter. Add the scallops to the heated pan, placing each one down in clockwise order. Allow to cook, untouched, for 90 seconds to two minutes, or until the scallop has seared. Flip them in the same clockwise order you placed them down and allow to cook for another 1-2 minutes until seared on the second side. Remove from the pan and set aside.  4. Reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp  butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the shallots and garlic. Sautee for 2 minutes, then add the white wine, salt, and pepper. Allow the wine to reduce about 3 minutes. Add the parsley, and lemon juice and stir to combine. Option to add a few scallops into the sauce here, or to reserve them all to place on top. Add the pasta to the pan, along with ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Mix thoroughly, so all noodles are coated in the sauce.  5. Remove from heat and plate. Add the parmesean and any remaining parsley, as well as the scallops on top and enjoy! #easyrecipe #scallops #whitewinesauce #seafoodpasta #dinnerideas #searedscallops #butternoodles #pastarecipe

♬ Oui oui oui oui – Sacha Distel

Garlic Butter Scallop Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• 8 oz linguine
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Sear scallops in butter for 2-3 minutes per side; remove from pan.
3. Add garlic to pan and sauté until fragrant.
4. Add wine and reduce by half.
5. Stir in cream and Parmesan.
6. Toss with pasta and return scallops to pan.
7. Season and serve hot.

@emelysessence

CITRUS-GLAZED SCALLOPS WITH A MANGO PASSIONFRUIT SALSA🥭❤️‍🔥 YOU’RE WELCOME.

♬ Vale la Pena – Live – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

Citrus-Glazed Scallops

Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• 1/4 cup orange juice (can use any citrus fruit as shown in the video above)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and ginger.
2. Pat scallops dry and season with salt.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over high heat.
4. Sear scallops for 2 minutes per side.
5. Pour in sauce mixture.
6. Cook until sauce thickens.
7. Garnish with green onions.

@premiercatch

Mediterranean Greek Orzo Salad with Seared Scallops 🙌🏻 Full of flavor, healthy ingredients, and topped with Wild Alaskan Weathervane Scallops, this is a crave worthy and healthy dish. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and is a great recipe to prepare in advance. Full recipe details are on the Premier Catch Blog. Let us know when you try it! #premiercatch #scallop #scalloprecipe #seafoodrecipe #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanrecipes #orzorecipe

♬ Memory Lane – Haley Joelle

Mediterranean Scallop Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• Mixed salad greens
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Kalamata olives
• Lemon-olive oil dressing
• Fresh herbs (basil, parsley)

Instructions:

1. Sear scallops in olive oil until golden.
2. Arrange greens on plates.
3. Add tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
4. Place warm scallops on top.
5. Scatter olives around plate.
6. Drizzle with dressing.
7. Garnish with fresh herbs.

@lowcarbstateofmind

Bacon Wrapped Scallops #learnontiktok #tiktokpartner

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Ingredients:

• 12 large scallops
• 12 slices thin-cut bacon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Black pepper
• Wooden toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Wrap each scallop with bacon; secure with toothpick.
3. Mix maple syrup and mustard.
4. Place on baking sheet.
5. Brush with maple-mustard mixture.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
7. Broil for final 2 minutes until bacon is crispy.

@theenoodlequeen

Miso ginger Scallops ✨ + How I get a perfect sear on my scallops every time. #scallops #misoginger #howtocookscallops #searedscallop #searedscallops #scalloprecipe #perfectsear #searing #misosauce #gingersauce #seafood #seafoodrecipe #asianseafood #asianrecipe #asianfusion #howtocook #cookingmadesimple #cookingmadeeasy #cookingscallops #pescatarianrecipespepescatarianafastrecipeehealthyrecipesehealthyfoode#healthyeating

♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design

Asian-Style Scallops

Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions
• Steamed rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix vinegar, soy sauce, and honey.
2. Heat sesame oil in a wok or large pan.
3. Sear scallops for 2 minutes per side.
4. Pour sauce over scallops.
5. Cook until sauce reduces slightly.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
7. Serve over steamed rice.

@dioguqgx45i

Bobby Flay’s Grilled Sea Scallop Skewers | Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction | Food Network #BobbyFlay #GrilledSeaScallops #BarbecueAddiction #FoodNetwork #BBQMaster #SeafoodLovers #GrillGameStrong #FlameKissed #ChefLife #DeliciousEats #SummerBBQ #TastyBites #CookingWithFire #UnforgettableFlavors #FoodieFavorites #ScallopSkewers #GourmetGrilling #MustTryRecipe #CulinaryInspiration #MustWatchTV #fyp

♬ Homeland’s Valor – MOHD AMIN BIN RAZAK

Grilled Scallop Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large scallops
• 2 bell peppers, chunked
• 1 red onion, chunked
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
• Metal or soaked wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
2. Thread scallops and vegetables onto skewers.
3. Brush with herb mixture.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high.
5. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Brush with remaining herb mixture.
7. Serve immediately.

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