Looking for easy and delicious ways to cook scallops at home? This guide offers 25 flavorful scallop recipes plus expert tips to help you master restaurant-style results in your own kitchen.
Few dishes capture the elegance of seafood quite like perfectly seared scallops. I remember trying them at a beachside restaurant and being amazed at how quick and easy they were to make at home. With a few simple steps, you can turn basic scallops into a gourmet meal in minutes.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different seasonings, sauces, and techniques to make sure every seared scallop is cooked just right. I’ve learned that drying the scallops and using a hot pan are the secrets to achieving that crisp, golden crust every time. It’s a simple process that yields restaurant-quality results.
In this guide, I’ll share trusted tips and easy recipes to help you master the art of cooking scallops. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, you’ll find the techniques to impress with perfectly cooked scallops that are juicy on the inside and beautifully seared on the outside. Let’s dive into the delicious world of scallop recipes that are sure to elevate your dinner table.
1. Perfect Seared Scallops
To make perfect seared scallops, pat them dry, season with salt and pepper, optionally dust with flour, and cook in a hot skillet with oil until they form a beautiful golden crust. Finish by adding a delicious garlic basil butter for a rich, flavorful touch that will make your scallops taste incredible in under 10 minutes.
Read the Recipe: Perfect Seared Scallops
2. Seared Scallops
Seared scallops are quick and impressive, with a golden crust and topped with a delicious garlic butter sauce. Simply season the scallops, cook them quickly in hot oil and butter until golden, then make a flavorful sauce with garlic, lemon, and white wine to spoon over the top.
Read the Recipe: Seared Scallops
3. Pan Seared Scallops Recipe
These pan-seared scallops turn golden brown in under 5 minutes and are finished with a bright, zesty lemon herb butter for a quick yet fancy seafood fix. Serve them with your favorite veggies, rice, or potatoes for a deliciously simple meal that feels restaurant-worthy!
Read the Recipe: Pan Seared Scallops Recipe
4. Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter
Seared scallops are cooked until golden brown and topped with a rich garlic butter sauce for a quick and tasty meal. Simply sear dry scallops in olive oil, then add butter, garlic, and herbs to create a flavorful finish that’s ready in 20 minutes.
Read the Recipe: Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter
5. Sautéed Scallops
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Sauté scallops in melted butter with crushed garlic and whole sprigs of rosemary until they are golden brown and firm. Remove the garlic and rosemary before serving for a simple, flavorful dish ready in just 10 minutes!
Read the Recipe: Sautéed Scallops
6. Best Scallop Recipe
Make golden-crusted, juicy scallops at home in under 30 minutes using just five simple ingredients and a few clever techniques. With tips on pan-searing, butter-finishing, and a dreamy Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce, this recipe turns weeknight cooking into a 5-star treat!
Read the Recipe: Best Scallop Recipe
7. Creamy Garlic Scallops Recipe
Sear extra-large scallops in a hot pan until golden and tender, then coat them in a creamy garlic white wine sauce with a hint of heat and tangy capers. Serve with crusty bread, pasta, or roasted veggies for a simple yet fancy dinner.
Read the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Scallops Recipe
8. Scallops Meunière
Golden-seared scallops get the spotlight in this buttery, lemony dish with a kick from crispy capers and fresh parsley. Just a quick sizzle in a hot pan, a splash of lemon, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy plate in under 20 minutes.
Read the Recipe: Scallops Meunière
9. The Best Seared Scallops Recipe
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Seared scallops are perfectly cooked when they develop a deeply browned, caramel-colored crust and stay tender inside. Make sure to dry them thoroughly and cook in a hot pan for the best crispy exterior and juicy center.
Read the Recipe: The Best Seared Scallops Recipe
10. Easy Seared Scallops
Seared scallops are a quick, elegant dish that takes under 10 minutes to make with just four simple ingredients—sea scallops, butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pat the scallops dry, cook them in a super hot skillet without moving, to get a perfect sweet, golden crust that’s restaurant-worthy and bursting with flavor!
Read the Recipe: Easy Seared Scallops
11. Perfect Pan Seared Scallops
Make restaurant-quality scallops at home in under 10 minutes with just four simple ingredients and a sizzling hot pan. With a golden-brown crust and buttery-tender center, these pan seared sea scallops are pure seafood magic made easy.
Read the Recipe: Perfect Pan Seared Scallops
12. Seared Scallops [www.saltandlavender.com]
![Seared Scallops [www.saltandlavender.com]](https://www.saltandlavender.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/seared-scallops-51.jpg)
Juicy, golden scallops are pan-seared to perfection in butter and olive oil, finished with a splash of fresh lemon juice for a dish that feels fancy but is secretly super simple. With just four ingredients and 15 minutes, you can wow your taste buds (and your guests) like a total kitchen pro!
Read the Recipe: Seared Scallops [www.saltandlavender.com]
13. Seared Scallop Recipe with Cream Sauce
Sear golden scallops in a hot pan until perfectly cooked with a delicate, sweet flavor, then make a rich parmesan cream sauce that’s similar to Alfredo, but with a lively garlic twist. Toss everything together with cooked pasta for a luxurious, easy, less-than-30-minute meal that’s sure to impress!
Read the Recipe: Seared Scallop Recipe with Cream Sauce
14. Easy Mediterranean Sautéed Scallops
This recipe features tender scallops sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with a colorful mix of bell peppers, grape tomatoes, garlic, and capers for a delicious burst of flavor. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, tasty dinner that pairs beautifully with lemon and crusty bread.
Read the Recipe: Easy Mediterranean Sautéed Scallops
15. Perfect Pan Seared Scallops [jz-eats.com]
![Perfect Pan Seared Scallops [jz-eats.com]](https://jz-eats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/linguine-with-clam-sauce-5.jpg)
Learn how to make perfectly seared scallops with a golden, buttery crust and a tender, juicy center in under 5 minutes. This easy recipe comes with expert tips to help you achieve a rich, caramelized flavor every time, perfect for a quick dinner or special occasion.
Read the Recipe: Perfect Pan Seared Scallops [jz-eats.com]
16. Rice Life Foodie – Asian Recipes and Filipino Recipes with Natural Ingredients
Sear plump large-sized scallops after soaking them in milk to make them extra tender and flavorful. Cook them in a hot pan until golden with a caramelized crust, then serve topped with a delicious soy butter sauce for a restaurant-quality bite at home.
Read the Recipe: Rice Life Foodie – Asian Recipes and Filipino Recipes with Natural Ingredients
17. Somebody’s Mom
Tender sea scallops are soaked in milk to remove any fishy aroma, then pan-seared in butter and olive oil until golden brown. A quick garlic-onion-white wine sauce ties it all together, perfect served over risotto with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Read the Recipe: Somebody’s Mom
18. How to Soak Scallops in Milk
Soak scallops in milk to help remove fishy odors and make them extra tender before cooking. Just rinse, trim off the tough hinge, and let them sit in cold milk for a flavorful upgrade!
Read the Recipe: How to Soak Scallops in Milk
19. Lemon Butter Scallops with Greens & Walnuts
Seared scallops are quickly cooked until golden, then topped with a bright and buttery lemon sauce made with chardonnay, honey, capers, and walnuts. Served alongside tender wilted greens, this dish is simple, elegant, and perfect for a special dinner like Valentine’s Day.
Read the Recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops with Greens & Walnuts
20. Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Bacon Wrapped Scallops are a quick and impressive dish perfect for any occasion. Simply wrap dry scallops with half slices of bacon, secure them with toothpicks, and bake for just 15 minutes until they’re juicy and tender, creating a delicious combo of smoky bacon and sweet scallops in no time!
Read the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Scallops
21. Seared Scallops with Greens and Orzo
Tender sea scallops are quickly seared and served over creamy orzo with sautéed greens and fresh herbs, making a restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen. A drizzle of sherry vinegar pan sauce adds a bright, tangy finish that elevates every bite.
Read the Recipe: Seared Scallops with Greens and Orzo
22. Scallops with Garlic Spinach and Cauliflower Puree
Seared scallops are paired with whipped cauliflower puree and garlicky sautéed spinach for a light yet flavor-packed meal. Using the Suvie smart cooker, this dish comes together with minimal effort but delivers a restaurant-quality experience.
Read the Recipe: Scallops with Garlic Spinach and Cauliflower Puree
23. Seared Spice-Rubbed Sea Scallops
Sea scallops are rubbed with a bold blend of spices and then seared to golden perfection in a hot pan. This quick and easy method locks in flavor and creates a crispy outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Read the Recipe: Seared Spice-Rubbed Sea Scallops
24. Scallop Scampi
Scallop Scampi is a delicious dish where tender scallops are cooked quickly in a buttery garlic sauce. Serve it over pasta or rice for a simple, flavorful meal that’s ready in minutes.
Read the Recipe: Scallop Scampi
25. Spaghetti With Spicy Scallop Marinara Sauce
Spaghetti gets a fiery upgrade with this marinara sauce loaded with bold flavors and tender scallops, cooked just until golden. A sprinkle of herbs and a hint of chili kick make this seafood pasta dish fast, flavorful, and full of flair.
Read the Recipe: Spaghetti With Spicy Scallop Marinara Sauce