33 Succulent Scallop Recipes Worth Your Dinner Consideration
Seared Scallops with Beet Relish
I don't know about you, but a meal centered around scallops, as with other seafood classics such as clams or lobsters, always feels extra special. The good thing about scallops is that you can easily find them in the frozen section of your supermarket or if you have the chance to get them fresh, that's even better! Plus, the star seafood are delicious in a variety of preparations, even (especially!) when they're cooked simply for a weeknight dinner or an impromptu dinner party at home. That's why you're seriously missing out if you don't cook any of these 33 unique scallop dishes.
Related: 28 Favorite Seafood Recipes You Can Make at Home
What Are Scallops?
Scallops are shellfish that have a very tender and delicate texture and taste, and they are edible bivalve mollusks from the Pectinidae family. You will probably recognize them by their ribbed fan-shaped shell and they come in varying sizes, from the small bay scallops to the larger sea scallops. No matter the size of the scallop, using scallops as an ingredient can make any meal feel a bit fancier.
Related: 21 Best One-Pan Fish Dinners
What's the Best Way To Cook Scallops?
Whether you use frozen scallops or fresh scallops, the important thing is to bring them to room temperature before cooking. For frozen scallops, it is best to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then bring them to room temperature by letting them sit for 30 minutes on the countertop before cooking.
Once the scallops are at room temperature, it's very important to remove any excess moisture (you can use a paper towel to pat the scallops dry) so that they brown nicely when cooking. The easiest way to cook scallops would be a quick sear in a greased hot pan or skillet which results in a delicacy that is tender and sweet. Approximately two minutes per side is enough, and do not overcook the scallops as they will turn rubbery. If using other ingredients in your dish, you can prepare the ingredients beforehand and then incorporate them when the scallops are cooked.
Related: Hoda Kotb’s Super-Simple Baked Fish Is the Ultimate Low-Effort, High-Reward Dinner
Best Scallop Recipes
From Creamy Garlic Scallops and Scallop Bacon Pasta to Sriracha Glazed Scallops and Seared Scallops with Cauliflower Rice Risotto, here are the 33 best scallop recipes to dive into.
Jon Ashton
The naturally sweet flavor of scallops partners beautifully with corn in this fresh recipe from Parade chef Jon Ashton. The trick to cooking scallops is not to move them once they hit the pan, except to flip them once—this helps them develop a dark brown crust.
Get the recipe: Scallops with Creamed Corn
Loren Cordain
Mouth-watering seared scallops topped with homemade beet relish is one indulgent dish!
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Beet Relish
Related: 55 Air Fryer Fish Recipes so Good You'll Want to Become a Pescatarian
Kristy Gardner
This scallop featuring a flavor-packed sauce made with sake (Japanese rice wine), is an easy dish for a stellar romantic supper for two.
Get the recipe: Sake to Me Scallops
Ben Rayl
In this dish, the taste of the wine really adds so much delicate flavor—it’s perfect with the sweetness of the peas and scallops. The basil adds the perfect kick and really pulls it all together.
Get the recipe: Champagne Risotto with Seared Scallops and Peas
Hey Grill Hey
These grilled scallops are perfectly grilled and topped with a fresh lemon herb dressing. If you’re a fan of scallops, you’ll fall head over shells for these guys.
Get the recipe: Grilled Scallops
Baker by Nature
Learn how to make perfectly seared scallops with this easy recipe! You only need five simple ingredients to make this impressive recipe.
Get the recipe: Perfectly Seared Scallops
Mantitlement
This recipe for creamy Tuscan spaghetti with jumbo scallops is one of our favorite ways to cook scallops! Skip the restaurant and make this seafood dinner right at home.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops
Fox and Briar
Sweet, buttery and delicate sea scallops are quickly seared in a hot pan, then a simple lemon, butter and garlic sauce is made in the same pan. Served on their own or over pasta, these seared scallops are perfect for date night at home.
Get the recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops
The Recipe Critic
Pan-seared scallops with lemon caper sauce is an elegant yet easy dish that is perfect for special occasions or any day of the week. The caramelized scallops and the delicious sauce is made all in one pan!
Get the recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops
Cooking Frog
You're going to love these scallops which are coated in the most delicious honey garlic butter sauce.
Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Scallops with Honey
Café Delites
These creamy garlic scallops are just as good as restaurant scallops with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor!
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Scallops
Related: 23 Savory Seafood Burgers When You Need a Meat Break
The Bewitchin' Kitchen
This super quick recipe for pan-seared scallops with a creamy garlic white wine sauce is so easy and you probably have most of what you need in your house right now!
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Dr. Davinah's Eats
A quick, keto-friendly and grain-free recipe for seared scallops and parmesan cauliflower rice risotto.
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Cauliflower Rice Risotto
Sprinkles and Sprouts
This seared scallop pasta with creamy bacon sauce is such an easy elegant seafood recipe.
Get the recipe: Scallop Bacon Pasta
Inspired Taste
These pan-seared scallops with garlic basil butter take less than 10 minutes and taste incredible!
Get the recipe: Garlic Basil Seared Scallops
The Blond Cook
This recipe for Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops is so quick, easy and sinfully delicious… no one will know you only spent 20 minutes preparing it!
Get the recipe: Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops
Delightful Plate
This scallop shrimp pasta with burst cherry tomatoes is perfect for not only quick and simple weeknight meals but also fancy date-night dinners. It is so flavorful with sweetness from fresh seafood and umami from burst tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Scallop Shrimp Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Fork in the Kitchen
Seared scallops pair perfectly with creamy coconut rice and sweet pineapple salsa for the perfect summer dinner!
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Coconut Rice Pineapple Salsa
The Recipe Critic
Honey garlic butter scallops get pan-seared and then coated in the most amazing honey garlic butter sauce. This meal is so quick and easy that you will make it again and again!
Get the recipe: Honey Garlic Butter Scallops
Simply Recipes
Pan-seared scallops nestled in a bed of sweet corn and poblano chiles—perfect for sweet summer nights.
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Scallops with Sweet Corn and Chilies
Jessica Gavin
Pan-seared scallops with lemon caper pasta is a gourmet recipe for any occasion! Light angel hair pasta is tossed with a citrus white wine sauce and tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Caper Pasta
Related: Easy Recipes with Canned Salmon
Dinner at the Zoo
These bacon-wrapped scallops are jumbo scallops coated in a sweet and savory glaze, then broiled to perfection. A simple yet elegant appetizer or main course option that is sure to get rave reviews!
Get the recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Walder Wellness
This simple pan-seared scallops and zucchini noodle pasta is a nutritious, healthy and balanced weeknight meal. Dinner in 30 minutes! Gluten-free and dairy-free versions are available.
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Scallops with Zucchini Noodle Pasta
Table for Two
Scallops and summer vegetables are the perfect combinations for a light and quick weeknight meal!
Get the recipe: Scallops and Summer Vegetable Skillet
Rasa Malaysia
Honey sriracha scallops—outrageously delicious scallops in sticky sweet, savory and mildly spicy honey Sriracha sauce. Every bite is bursting with fresh and juicy goodness.
Get the recipe: Honey Sriracha Scallops
The Mediterranean Dish
Easy, quick-seared buttery scallops, nestled in a flavor-packed mixture of tomatoes and bell peppers! You’ll love the bold Mediterranean flavors in this scallops recipe–fresh garlic, shallots, capers, oregano and more.
Get the recipe: Easy Mediterranean-Style Scallops
She Cooks She Cleans
The apple cider glaze would really bring out the natural sweetness of the scallops. Add spinach and mushrooms to that for some earthiness, a bit of bacon to add a touch of saltiness, and you have a meal!
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Apple Cider Balsamic Glaze
Downshiftology
Scallops are healthy, super easy and delicious to make at home. These restaurant-worthy scallops are pan-seared and topped with a delicious citrus ginger sauce. They’re so tender and smooth that they’ll melt in your mouth!
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Scallops with Citrus Ginger Sauce
A Thought for Food
When you want something fancy for date night or any special occasion, these seared scallops with quinoa and butternut puree are sure to impress.
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Quinoa Apple Salad
Peas and Crayons
Quick and easy sriracha glazed seared scallops are finished off with a spicy and super flavorful homemade sriracha pan sauce! Delicious!
Get the recipe: Sriracha Glazed Seared Scallops
The Recipe Critic
Grilled lemon garlic scallops is an eloquent dish marinated in the juices of a lemon, a hint of garlic and wrapped in olive oil with Italian seasonings—all grilled to perfection! So simple to make and ready in minutes.
Get the recipe: Grilled Lemon Garlic Scallops
Related: 21 Savory Swordfish Recipes to Enjoy This Flavorful and Versatile Fish
Plays Well With Butter
Island-style seared scallops with mango salsa and coconut rice are the perfect way to add a little bit of bright, tropical flair to your life any night of the week!
Get the recipe: Scallops with Mango Salsa
Julia's Album
Bacon scallops with lemon butter sauce—this dish tastes just like bacon-wrapped scallops but is much easier to make! It takes only 30 minutes from start to finish!
Get the recipe: Seared Scallops with Bacon in Lemon Butter Sauce
