Garlic Butter Scallops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking scallops? ›

The secret is that you just pat them dry (buy dry-packed scallops), season with salt and pepper, and put them in a hot pan coated with oil and you leave them alone. Don't touch them. Don't move them.

Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While I recommend cooking them in butter for the best sear, you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if preferred.

Scallops, like many other types of seafood, can have a mild fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent.

Gently rinse scallops under cold water for a few seconds to remove any sand or grit. Never soak scallops since they will absorb the water! Some recipes suggest cutting large scallops in half to present them in a fan-shape but never cut scallops along the grain.

Because sea scallops have a chewier texture, searing them in a hot skillet is the simplest, most effective cooking method to achieving a crisp exterior and tender, just-firm texture within. Basting the scallops with butter helps finish cooking them and enhances browning, too.

Thankfully, we have you covered: Dry Your Scallops: We mentioned this before, but it bears repeating—be sure to dry your scallops before placing them on the pan. Season Them Before You Cook Them: You should sprinkle your salt and pepper onto your scallops before cooking, not during or after.

Scallops can be expensive and don't reheat well, so budget for the exact amount you need. We generally count 3–4 large scallops per person. Like shrimp, scallops vary in size; many stores will provide a count per pound, which you can use to estimate how many scallops you'll need.

Flour: While optional, I love dusting flour over my scallops before cooking them. The flour absorbs excess moisture and adds a nice golden brown crust. You can skip this step if you don't have flour or are gluten-free.

A: You should always rinse scallops thoroughly to remove grit, but there shouldn't be so much grit that you have to soak them. In fact, soaking isn't recommended because the scallops can absorb water and get soggy, less flavorful and difficult to sear properly.

Select a bowl or dish that is large enough to hold all of the scallops and deep enough that they can all be covered with milk. After rinsing, place the scallops in the bowl or dish and pour enough milk over them to cover completely. Cover the bowl, and place it in the refrigerator. Allow them to soak for one hour.

Are scallops healthy? ›

Scallops are widely considered one of the healthiest seafoods. Made up of 80% protein and sporting a low fat content, they can help you feel fuller longer and are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are also a great source of antioxidants.

Let scallops sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while towels absorb moisture. 2. Sprinkle scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12‑inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking.

Scallops are done when they are opaque in the center and golden brown on the outside. They should be firm but buttery, not at all difficult to cut or chew through (via The Kitchn). Scallops only take a few minutes to sear, meaning that they can become overcooked very quickly.

Once the bottoms are a deep golden brown, use tongs to give them a flip and cook the other side for no more than 30 seconds. Keep in mind, there is going to be a lot of oil splattering around your stove. Unfortunately, this is an inevitable truth when it comes to searing scallops.

Here's Why. Scallops make for a delightfully indulgent meal that's actually pretty easy to make in your home kitchen. Fantastic served seared, scallops only need a few minutes in a hot skillet to develop an impressive crust.

No, you don't need to rinse our scallops before eating them. Our scallops are shucked and go through a saltwater rinse, which removes any sand, grit, or debris. That being said, some people may still prefer to rinse their scallops before cooking or eating them, and that's totally fine.

Some cooks will toss their scallops in a light dusting of flour or cornstarch before cooking. This is simply to add a little bit more crustiness to the exterior. It is not a necessary step, but some prefer to do this. You could try a few scallops dredged in a light coating and leave a few alone to see which you prefer.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the scallops to skillet and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining scallops, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.