5 Scallop Recipes for Delicious Family Dinners

When you're craving a meal that's light, delicious, and a sure crowd-pleaser, fresh scallops always fit the bill. If you're ready to venture away from your crew's go-to weeknight dishes, why not give them a try?

If you're not sure how to prepare scallops, we've got you covered. Today, we're sharing five of our favorite scallop recipes to inspire your time in the kitchen!

1. Baked Sea Scallops

Sometimes, simple is best. This meal is one of those easy scallop recipes that you're sure to return to time and again. 

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, rinse and drain 16 fresh scallops. Place them in a bowl with five tablespoons of melted butter, five cloves of minced garlic, and two chopped shallots.

Combine this mixture gently, and then season it with a few pinches of nutmeg, as well as salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine, and pour into a casserole dish. To add a little crunch to this dish, stir one cup of bread crumbs with four tablespoons of olive oil.

Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the scallop mixture, and bake for around 12 minutes, or until the bread crumbs begin to brown. Serve warm with a few lemon wedges on the side, and you're done!

2. Grilled Scallops With Easy Pepper Relish

The next time you fire up the grill, leave the other meats in your fridge and reach for scallops instead! 

While the rich, succulent flavor of the scallops takes center stage in this recipe, the charred peppers are another standout! Start by charring them a little over an open flame. After about 10 minutes, they should be blackened and blistered. 

Remove the peppers from the heat and let them cool completely. Then, use a paring knife to gently remove the skins and chop the peppers. Transfer them to a medium-sized bowl, and mix them gently with the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup toasted, chopped almonds
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt to taste

The above mixture is your pepper relish. To save time on the day of your meal, you can prepare it up to five days in advance and keep it in the fridge. 

When it's time to grill, take out one pound of scallops, and add them to a few skewers. Remove the tough ligaments on the side to help them grill quicker and more evenly. Heat your grill to medium, and grill each skewer for about two minutes on each side, or until the scallops are slightly charred. 

Serve with cooked Israeli couscous, and add a few spoonfuls of the pepper relish on top. This is a grilled scallops recipe that's as fun and colorful as it is delicious!

3. Creamy Scallops With Garlic

The spicy, savory flavor of garlic pairs beautifully with the buttery taste of scallops. If you're in the mood for a light and refreshing dinner, this one is a hit. Plus, it only has five ingredients!

To make it, first heat a large pan on your stovetop over medium-high heat.

Add two tablespoons of olive oil and cook until it's sizzling. Next, add about 1.5 pounds of scallops. Arrange them in a single layer so they don't overcrowd the pan. 

Add a little salt and pepper to the scallops, and fry them for about two to three minutes on each side. Both sides should have a light brown crust, but the scallops should be cooked all the way through. Remove the scallops and set them aside to drain and cool.

Without wiping it, add two tablespoons of garlic to the pan, along with five minced garlic cloves. Cook the garlic for about five minutes, or until it's fragrant. Now, it's time to make your sauce!

For your liquid, you can either add white wine or broth, depending on your preference. Add 1/4 cup of your chosen liquid to the garlic mixture, and simmer for two minutes. Then, pour in one cup of heavy cream and stir until the sauce thickens slightly. 

Remove the pan from the heat, pour in one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and the scallops back to the mixture. Serve with parsley over your favorite pasta or rice!

4. BBQ Bacon Scallops

Barbecue sauce instantly elevates almost any family dinner, and that's especially true for this meal, which is destined to become a new favorite. 

To make it, you'll only need four ingredients. These include:

• 8 large sea scallops
• 8 slices of microwave bacon
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• Ground black pepper

Place a paper towel on top of a microwaveable plate, and follow the directions to prepare the bacon. Cook the slices until they're cooked but aren't fully crisp. Allow them to cool slightly. 

Then, gently wrap one piece of bacon around each scallop. Thread the scallops onto skewers, and grill them over medium-high heat. Let them remain on the grill for about eight minutes, turning the skewers slightly, until the bacon is crispy and the scallops are completely cooked.

Sprinkle each scallop with pepper and serve it with a big garden salad for a meal they'll ask for again! For a bigger meal, you can easily double this recipe.

5. Scallop Fritters

We'll argue that you can turn almost anything into a fritter and make it infinitely more delicious! This includes these scallop fritters, which are light, crispy, and nearly melt in your mouth.

Start by heating two inches of vegetable oil in a frying pan. While that's warming up, whisk the following together in a bowl:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper to taste

Once everything is combined, add:

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup clam broth 
• 1/4 cup pilsner beer

These ingredients will form your batter. Fold 1/2 pound of scallops into the batter, and add three sliced scallions, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, and one minced jalapeno. Once the oil is hot and bubbly, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the pan. 

Fry the fritters for about seven minutes, stirring occasionally. They should be slightly brown and crispy. Transfer them to a paper towel to drain, and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite tartar sauce.

Try These Scallop Recipes Today

These five scallop recipes prove that dinner doesn't have to be complicated. With the right ingredients, you can create a dish that will please even the pickiest palates! 

Craving fresh scallops? We can deliver them to your doorstep in a few clicks. We also offer fresh Maine lobster, flounder, mussels, and much more in our online shop. Feel free to take a look at our full selection, and contact us if you have any questions!