Pan Seared Scallops – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Elegant sufficient for a elaborate event and quick sufficient to serve any night time of the week, this scallop recipe may develop into your new favourite solution to eat seafood.

Restaurant high quality scallops are simpler to make at residence than you ever thought! Every chunk of those scallops has a light-weight and almost-sweet taste, highlighted by the caramelized crust on the surface.

Pan Seared Scallops

Just like an oyster or a clam however much more tender with a touch of candy taste, recent scallops are irresistible when cooked the correct means. Pan searing is by far my favourite solution to take pleasure in scallops.

For years, I solely ate scallops at eating places. Since scallops are extra pricey than shrimp and most different seafood I prepare dinner, I used to be nervous about losing my funding by cooking them poorly at residence.

After I lastly put aside my worry, I couldn’t imagine how straightforward and fast it was to prepare dinner seared scallops! My complete household loves scallops now.

Whether or not you take pleasure in indulging in scallops once you go to a restaurant otherwise you’ve by no means tried them earlier than, I do know you’re going to like this straightforward recipe.

A restaurant-quality meal made proper in your individual kitchen. Served for a romantic date night time or a household meal, these seared scallops are certain to impress!

The best way to Clear Scallops

Nowhere close to as finicky as lobster or crab, scallops are straightforward sufficient for even a newbie prepare dinner. You’ll be able to even get them ready and able to prepare dinner at any grocery retailer with a seafood counter.

I like that there’s no de-tailing or bone elimination concerned and just about no prep time. The one prep for the scallops is definitely non-obligatory. Test over the scallops as you’re dealing with them and take away the little side-muscle if you happen to discover any nonetheless hooked up.

This muscle appears like slightly tag of tissue on the facet of the scallop. It feels more durable than the remainder of the scallop and shall be a bit powerful and chewy when cooked. It’s simply tremendous if you happen to depart it on (and generally it’s already been eliminated), some persons are bothered by it and plenty of others aren’t.

Simply rinse the scallops beneath cool working water and pat them dry. I place them on a paper towel-lined plate or small sheet pan after rinsing them after which use one other paper towel to verify they’re utterly dry.

As soon as the scallops are dry and season with slightly salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil right into a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high warmth and add the scallops.

The best way to Pan Sear Scallops

Let the scallops prepare dinner within the oil on the primary facet for a few minutes till flippantly browned. They may prepare dinner rapidly, inside a few minutes, so don’t stroll away from the pan!

Take away from the pan and serve instantly. Seared and served recent, scallops are by no means fishy or powerful. You’ll love the caramelized crust and light-weight buttery style!

The best way to Select Scallops

Search for the freshest caught scallops yow will discover! They need to be spherical, plump, and about 2-inches in diameter with a creamy white shade (not yellow).

For this recipe, “dry” scallops work greatest, versus “moist” varieties which can be packed in a salty brine as a preservative.

Whereas recent is most well-liked, you possibly can definitely make this recipe with frozen scallops. Simply allow them to thaw totally within the fridge and dry nicely earlier than searing.

The best way to Prepare dinner Scallops

The thought behind searing scallops is that they prepare dinner rapidly leading to a flippantly crisped crust and a flaky melt-in-your-mouth inside. You wish to prepare dinner them quick at a excessive warmth.

After I make scallops, I prepare dinner them for nearly two minutes on all sides. The precise time will rely on the warmth of your pan and the scale of your scallops.

Not sure when it’s time to flip the scallops? They’re prepared to show once they launch from the pan and are flippantly browned or once they develop into considerably agency to the contact. In case your finger is sinking into the scallop once you gently poke it, they want a bit extra time.

Watch out to not prepare dinner the scallops for too lengthy! When overcooked, scallops develop into rubbery and difficult with little taste. Nobody needs that.

Whereas extra delicate than shrimp and salmon (the 2 seafood dishes I make most frequently), I’ve been pleasantly stunned by how straightforward it’s to prepare dinner scallops so long as I saved a watch on the time.

Scallops have develop into a brand new favourite for a pleasant dinner at residence over the previous 12 months. My youngsters completely love them too.

Are you able to prepare dinner scallops forward of time?

Seared scallops must be served instantly for greatest taste. Whilst you can completely retailer leftovers within the fridge and reheat gently within the microwave, they received’t be as beautiful as when first cooked.

Fortunately, they’re fast as lightning to prepare dinner so you possibly can have recent seared scallops on the desk in much less time than it takes to make nearly every other protein.

Wait to prepare dinner the scallops as the very last thing you do earlier than serving the meal. Put together every little thing else first, in order that the scallops could be served instantly after cooking, whereas they’re at their greatest.

Serve these scallops with a facet of Italian Herb Rice, Lemon Butter Pasta, or Rice Pilaf and a inexperienced salad. Or serve scallops with Lemon Butter Pasta and this Peach Caprese Salad. Attempt Shrimp Cocktail as an appetizer for a meal that can have everybody smiling.

In search of extra easy seafood recipes to make dinnertime a breeze? Children and adults alike love the Smoked Salmon Pasta with Pine Nuts and this Chipotle Lime Salmon.

{initially printed 2/10/21 – recipe notes and images up to date 11/13/24}