10+ Scallop Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Scallops are a tasty seafood that many people enjoy cooking at home. They are simple to prepare and can be used in many different dishes.

Whether you like them seared, baked, or in a sauce, scallops add a fresh and mild flavor to your meals.

Scallop recipes are easy to follow and make for a quick, delicious dinner. Cooking scallops does not take long, and with the right tips, you can make a great meal even if you’re new to seafood.

Try different recipes to find the ones you enjoy the most.

1) Pan-Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter Sauce

You can easily make pan-seared scallops with garlic butter sauce. Start by heating olive oil in a pan until hot but not smoking.

Carefully place the scallops in the pan, giving them space to brown. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they have a golden crust.

While they cook, melt butter and add minced garlic and lemon juice to create a flavorful sauce. Pour the garlic butter over the scallops just before serving.

This dish pairs well with pasta or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
3. Place scallops in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
4. In a small saucepan, melt butter and add garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in lemon juice, then pour the sauce over the scallops.
6. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

For a detailed recipe, see pan-seared scallops with garlic butter on Dinner at the Zoo.

2) Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Bacon-wrapped scallops are a tasty treat that’s easy to make at home. Wrap each scallop with a slice of bacon and bake or pan-fry them.

The bacon adds a crispy, salty flavor that goes great with the tender scallops. You can add simple seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Some people brush a little maple syrup or soy sauce on top for extra flavor. These cook quickly, usually in under 30 minutes, and make a great appetizer or side dish.

For a reliable recipe, you can check out this bacon wrapped scallops method.

Ingredients

• 20 scallops, cleaned
• 20 slices of bacon (maple bacon works well)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tbsp maple syrup or soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wrap each scallop with a bacon slice, securing with a toothpick.
3. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Place scallops on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy.
6. Optionally brush with maple syrup or soy sauce before serving.

3) Scallops Meunière with Lemon Butter

This simple scallop dish is easy to prepare. Pat your scallops dry and season them with salt and pepper.

Dust each scallop lightly with flour before cooking. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat until hot.

Sear the scallops on each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. For the sauce, melt butter in the same pan until it browns slightly, then add fresh lemon juice.

Spoon the lemon butter over the scallops right before serving.

Ingredients

• Sea scallops
• Salt and pepper
• All-purpose flour
• Olive oil
• Unsalted butter
• Fresh lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Dry scallops and season with salt and pepper.
2. Lightly coat scallops with flour, shaking off excess.
3. Heat oil over medium heat in a pan.
4. Sear scallops 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Remove scallops and melt butter in pan until browned.
6. Add lemon juice to butter and stir.
7. Pour sauce over scallops and serve.

For a detailed version, see the Sea Scallops With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe.

4) Creamy Bay Scallop Spaghetti

Creamy bay scallop spaghetti makes a quick and tasty meal. The sauce is rich but light, made with butter, garlic, and a splash of cream.

Bay scallops cook fast and give you tender, sweet bites in every forkful. Cook your spaghetti until it’s just al dente.

While the pasta cooks, sauté the scallops with garlic in butter. Stir in cream to create a smooth sauce that coats the pasta.

You can add fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese to mix it up.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces thick spaghetti
• 1 pound bay scallops
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add bay scallops and cook until opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and heat through.
6. Toss cooked spaghetti into the sauce and mix well.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

For a full recipe, see creamy bay scallop spaghetti details here.

5) Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

Shrimp and scallop skewers are a simple and tasty way to enjoy seafood. Thread shrimp, scallops, and veggies like zucchini and onions onto skewers.

Brush the skewers with a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic before cooking. This adds flavor and keeps the seafood moist.

Cook the skewers on a grill preheated to 450°F (230°C) for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. The seafood should turn opaque and have a slight char when done.

Serve your skewers with a fresh salad or rice for a quick meal.

Ingredients:

• 18 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 18 scallops
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 red onion, cut into chunks
• ½ cup olive oil
• 6 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to 450°F (230°C) and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Thread shrimp, scallops, zucchini, and onion alternately on skewers.
3. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture over the skewers.
4. Grill skewers 3-4 minutes per side until seafood is cooked and slightly charred.
5. Remove from grill and serve hot.

6) Seared Scallops over Angel Hair Pasta

Make a simple and delicious meal by serving seared scallops over angel hair pasta. Season the scallops with salt and pepper.

Cook them in butter over medium-high heat until golden and just opaque inside, about 1-2 minutes per side. While the scallops cook, boil the angel hair pasta until tender.

Toss the cooked pasta with olive oil or butter, garlic, and a little lemon juice for a fresh touch. Place the scallops on top of the pasta to serve a light and tasty dish.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sea scallops, rinsed and patted dry
• 8 ounces angel hair pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook scallops 1-2 minutes per side until golden and opaque.
4. Boil angel hair pasta according to package instructions until tender.
5. Drain pasta and toss with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.
6. Plate pasta and top with seared scallops.

7) Scallop Scampi with White Wine Sauce

Scallop Scampi is a quick and tasty dish you can make in about 20 minutes. Cook the scallops until they are golden and tender.

A sauce made with garlic, white wine, butter, and lemon brings it all together. The white wine sauce adds a bright, fresh flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of scallops.

Serve it over pasta or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Fresh parsley adds a nice touch at the end.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bay scallops
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add scallops and cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in white wine and lemon juice, simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Stir in remaining butter until melted.
6. Return scallops to the pan, toss to coat in sauce.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and sprinkle parsley before serving.

This recipe is adapted from a Scallop Scampi Recipe.

8) Spicy Curried Scallops

Spicy curried scallops bring bold flavors to your plate. The dish mixes creamy coconut milk with fragrant curry spices for a tasty sauce.

Sear the scallops until they have a nice golden crust. Then, simmer them gently in a sauce made with curry paste, coconut milk, and tomatoes.

You can adjust the heat level to your liking. Serve with rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 4 Roma tomatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon Indian curry paste
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 500 g scallops
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add scallops and sear for 2 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same pan, melt butter. Add curry paste and stir for 1 minute.

4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

5. Pour in stock and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer.

6. Return scallops to the pan. Cover and simmer on low heat for 5–6 minutes.

7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

9) Baked Scallops Legal Sea Foods-Style

You can make tasty baked scallops just like Legal Sea Foods. Start by seasoning fresh sea scallops with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Next, soak them in buttermilk to keep them tender and add flavor.

For the topping, crush buttery Ritz crackers and mix them with fresh parsley.

Place the scallops in a baking dish and sprinkle the cracker mix over them.

Bake at 400°F (205°C) until golden and bubbly, usually about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh sea scallops
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 20 Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Season scallops with salt, pepper, and thyme.

3. Toss scallops in buttermilk.

4. Place scallops in baking dish with buttermilk.

5. Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers and parsley on top.

6. Bake for 15 minutes until topping is golden.

10) Yakitori Grilled Scallops

Yakitori grilled scallops are a simple and tasty dish inspired by Japanese cooking. You thread scallops onto skewers and brush them with a soy-based marinade.

This gives the scallops a savory flavor and keeps them juicy. You grill the scallops over medium-high heat until they get a slight char but stay tender inside.

The cooking only takes a few minutes, so watch them closely. You can add bacon or butter for extra richness if you like.

Ingredients:

• 12 scallops, cleaned
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin or rice wine
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Optional: bacon strips or butter

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and oil to make the marinade.
2. Thread 3-4 scallops onto each skewer.
3. Brush scallops with the marinade.
4. Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C).
5. Grill scallops 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred.
6. Serve warm with extra marinade or butter if desired.