What Are Sea scallops and How Can I Use Them?

Sea scallops rewards a little know-how: how to choose them, cook them, store them, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 105 recipes to cook with them.

What are sea scallops?

Sea scallops are the large type of scallop, often an inch and a half across, with a meaty, ivory muscle that sears into a sweet golden disc. They are the ones you see fanned across a restaurant plate, and they dwarf the tiny bay scallop.

That size makes them the searing scallop. Pat them bone dry, then lay them in a screaming hot pan and leave them alone for 90 seconds to 2 minutes per side.

Cook until a deep crust forms and the center turns just opaque. Pull them the moment they firm up, since they go rubbery fast.

They are best simply seared, as in Pesto Salmon & Sea Scallops with Shallot Sauce, or tossed into a Shrimp & Sea Scallop Stir-Fry. They also bake well, as in Baked Sea Scallops.

For full buying advice (the important dry versus wet distinction), doneness cues, substitutes, and storage, see the main scallops page.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find sea scallops: Sea scallops are usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Sea scallops are a member of the Finfish and Shellfish Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

扇贝

British (UK) term

Sea scallops

en français

pétoncles

en español

vieiras

How much do sea scallops weigh?

Related

Finfish and Shellfish Products

Recipes using sea scallops

There are 105 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Coriander Spiced Scallops with Orange Ginger Dressing & Greens

Orange and ginger dressing is so refreshing, coriander spiced scallops go very well with it. Also it is so quick and easy to make.

Pan Seared Scallops & Fennel Over Soba Noodles

Pan-seared scallops with fennel over soba noodles plates golden-crusted scallops on Japanese buckwheat noodles in a Pernod and orange pan sauce. East-meets-West restaurant plating at home.

Asian Style Grilled Scallops with Somen Noodle Salad & Cilantro Vinaigrette

Asian Style Grilled Scallops with Somen Noodle Salad and Cilantro Vinaigrette

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Citrus Baby Spinach

Prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops broil on skewers over a bed of quickly wilted baby spinach in a bright lemon-zest vinaigrette. A sophisticated seafood starter that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Baked Sea Scallops

Tender sea scallops are halved, seasoned, and baked in a rich, buttery sherry breadcrumb topping for a simple yet elegant seafood dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Scallops on Fennel Puree with Honey Balsamic Drizzle

Pan seared scallops served on a bed of fennel puree with a sweet Balsamic drizzle. This recipe was inspired by Masterchef New Zealand contestant Rob and I've modified the ingredients and instructions to match those that are commonly available in North America along with experimentation to make the recipe lower in fats yet every bit as flavorful.

Bacon Scallop with Sauteed Tatsoi

Crisp bacon, pan-seared scallops on a bed of tatsoi. Quick, easy and tasty!

Pesto Salmon & Sea Scallops with Shallot Sauce

Salmon is rich in omega 3 and is becoming more and more popular in our normal cooking, in this recipe we use salmon and scallops with the delicious shallot sauce, easy and simple to make, and very flavorful.

Shrimp & Sea Scallop Stir-Fry

Shrimp and sea scallop stir-fry sears seafood and rainbow bell peppers, then tosses with cilantro, lime, sherry, and soy-coated soba noodles. A 35-minute restaurant-quality seafood dinner.

Master Seafood Risotto

Italian seafood risotto layered with shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels, and clams in a white wine garlic broth. Finished with bright gremolata and fresh herbs for a restaurant-worthy showstopper.

Risotto with Seafood & Dill

A succulent seafood dish made with shrimp, mussels, clams and white wine.

Sauteed Sea Scallops in Cranberry Ginger Sauc

Pan-seared sea scallops in a cranberry ginger cream sauce with vermouth, orange zest, and fresh gingerroot. An elegant single-serving seafood dish.

Grilled Seafood Kabobs

Grilled seafood kabobs with shrimp, sea scallops, and mushrooms marinated overnight in honey barbecue-Dijon sauce. Smoky, sweet, and done on the grill in under 10 minutes.

Scallops Spa Pasta

Light linguine tossed in a tarragon-shallot sauce with thinly sliced sea scallops and tender asparagus. A spa-cuisine pasta that delivers restaurant flavor without the heavy cream.

Avocado-And-Scallop Ceviche

Avocado and scallop ceviche cures finely chopped scallops in lime juice and green peppercorns, then folds in mashed avocado and chives. Stuffed into raw mushroom caps brushed with garlic-lemon oil for a striking party appetizer.

Potato Crepes with Scallops, Salmon & Asparagus

Potato crepes topped with stir-fried scallops, salmon, and asparagus in a ginger-soy sauce. A restaurant-quality Asian-fusion dish for two with wok technique.

Shellfish Soup with Cilantro

Shellfish soup with shrimp and sea scallops in a white wine and shrimp shell stock infused with vanilla bean and cilantro. Spring vegetables simmered just one minute to stay crisp.

Fettuccine with Shellfish, Tomatoes & Olives

Fettuccine with Shellfish, Tomatoes & Olives recipe

Oriental-Style Sea Scallops

Sea scallops stir-fry with broccoli, napa cabbage, snow peas, and shiitakes in a star anise-spiced soy-vinegar sauce. Light Chinese seafood dinner over steamed rice.

Prevention's Perfect Kabobs

Prevention's perfect kabobs: chicken and scallops marinated in yogurt-mint, skewered with vegetables and dried fruit. A balanced, colorful, Mediterranean-leaning grill plate.

Shrimp& Scallop Kabobs From Fred Goslin

Grilled shrimp and scallop kabobs marinated in soy sauce, ginger, lemon, and garlic with pineapple and zucchini. A seafood skewer worth the 3-hour marinate.

Beef& Scallop Saute

Lightning-fast beef and sea scallop stir-fry with garlic, ginger, scallions, and red pepper flakes in peanut oil. From wok to plate in under a minute.

Scallops in Sesame Marinade

Grilled sea scallops in an Asian sesame marinade with hoisin, soy sauce, ginger, and dry sherry. Marinated overnight and skewered over charcoal.

Fettuccine with Scallops & Peas

Fettuccine with steamed sea scallops, fresh peas, and saffron butter sauce. An elegant seafood pasta where gentle steaming keeps the scallops tender and the saffron adds golden richness.

Scallop & Bell Pepper Salad

Warm scallop and bell pepper salad with cumin, lime, and coriander on Belgian endive leaves. A light, elegant seafood salad ready in 30 minutes.

Scallop Corn Soup

Creamy scallop and corn soup blended smooth with fresh ginger, rice wine, and scallions. A silky Asian-inspired bisque finished with cream and butter.

Pasta Primavera with Scallops

Light pasta primavera with sea scallops, broccoli, mushrooms, and carrots in a broth-based sauce. No cream, no butter, just clean flavors and tender scallops.

Cassoulet De Poissons

A seafood twist on classic French cassoulet: golden-seared trout, monkfish, and scallops layered with slow-simmered white beans and tomatoes, finished under a crispy breadcrumb gratin.

Pesto Salmon & Sea Scallops with Garlic

Pesto-crusted salmon and sea scallops bake together over a bed of garlic butter sauce. A 5-ingredient seafood dinner with herby green pesto, golden breadcrumbs, and silky scallop sweetness.

Seafood & Asparagus Stir-Fry

Shrimp and scallops marinated in sherry, then wok-tossed with asparagus, baby corn, and water chestnuts in a glossy sesame-garlic sauce. Quick Chinese-style seafood in 30 minutes.

A Jellie Of Fyshe

A Jellie of Fyshe: a medieval-style aspic of cod, scallops, and shrimp suspended in a clear gelatin set with white wine, ginger, and vinegar. The historic seafood starter for special occasions.

Seafood Colin

Shrimp and sea scallops sautéed with tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic in a velvety paprika cream sauce. A gorgeous skillet dinner ready in just 20 minutes.

Shellfish & Chicken Paella

Grilled paella with chicken thighs, lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, and chorizo over curry-turmeric rice with ancho powder. A show-stopping one-platter feast.

Krazy Kurt's Lemon Pepper Scallop Kabobs

Try something different than the original kabobs, with this simple recipe that is hassle-free!

Steamed Seafood Dumplings

Steamed seafood dumplings wrap a delicate shrimp-and-scallop filling with garlic, ginger and crunchy water chestnuts in wonton skins, then steam them light and tender. Served with a duck sauce and hot mustard dip.

Sauteed Scallops on Red Pepper Sauce

Sauteed scallops over red pepper yogurt sauce deliver a light, elegant dinner in 30 minutes. Seared sea scallops deglazed with vermouth and lemon, plated on a cool coriander-spiked sauce.

Grilled Shellfish Ceviche

Grilled shellfish ceviche with scallops, shrimp, and salmon marinated in lime juice with mango, grapefruit, and orange. A hybrid ceviche that combines citrus curing with quick grill marks.

Fettuccine with Shellfish, Tomatoes & Olive

Fettuccine with shrimp, sea scallops, fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, and anchovies in a garlicky olive oil sauce. A bold Italian seafood pasta in 25 minutes.

Hot Scallop Salad with Potato Chips

Hot scallop salad with seared sea scallops, fresh ginger, lime juice, and marjoram served over greens with thick-sliced potato chips mixed in. A warm-cool salad with crunch and elegance.

Succotash with Grilled Scallops & Parsley Drizzle

Summer succotash with fresh corn, lima beans, zucchini, and grape tomatoes topped with seared sea scallops and a bright parsley drizzle. A seasonal one-pan main that eats like a cookout on a plate.

Three-Green Pasta with Scallops & Pesto Sauce

Three-green pasta with scallops and pesto sauce: fettuccine tossed with seared sea scallops, asparagus, green beans, peas, pesto, and cream. A quick spring pasta for six ready in 40 minutes.

Scallops & Tomato Pasta

Sea scallops with fresh tomatoes and white wine over spinach fettuccine, topped with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan. A light, elegant pasta dinner in under an hour.

Fettuccine Uzie

Fettuccine Uzie tosses shrimp and sea scallops in a buttery cream sauce with shallots and garlic. The pasta starch thickens the sauce naturally for a silky, rich finish.

Scallops with Spicy Tomatoes & Fettuccine

Sea scallops simmered in a spicy fresh tomato sauce with red wine, garlic, and basil, tossed with fettuccine and finished with grated Parmesan.

Scallop Saute

Pan-seared sea scallops sauteed with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and scallions in a butter and white wine sauce. A restaurant-quality seafood dinner with a rich, lemon-bright pan sauce.

Orange Sea Scallops

Pan-seared sea scallops over wilted spinach, finished with a bright orange-Dijon vinaigrette and fresh chives. An elegant low-carb dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes.

David Sea Scallops with Shrimp Butter

This is my son's recipe for sea scallops, He is executive chef at the East End Cafe in Washington.

Amazing Scallop & Shrimp On Skewers

Introduce seafood to the skewers with this succulent recipe that's easy to follow and will have you enjoying a delicious dinner in no time!

Jalapeno Pasta with Scallop Sauce

Homemade jalapeno pasta made with pureed peppers in the dough, topped with seared sea scallops in a white wine sauce with cilantro, tarragon, and garlic.

Curried Seafood Crepes

Delicate crepes filled with poached scallops and scrod in a curried cream sauce with chutney, carrots, and peas. Folded into triangles and baked until warm. French technique meets Indian spice in every bite.

All 105 recipes