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Easy Seared Sea Scallops

My Seared Scallops recipe look so fancy, but they are one of the easiest things EVER to make. The secret is to just leave them alone. That’s it! Well, there’s a little more to it than that. Read on to find out how to make perfect and EASY seared scallops.

Seared Scallops

Sea Scallop Recipe

This easy seared sea scallops recipe uses fresh sea scallops that are quickly pan seared and served with a bacon cream sauce. It is rich and decadent and full of the sweet, seafood flavor that scallops are famous for. 

I am SUCH a huge seafood fan. Like – crazy big. I could eat seafood many times a week, sushi especially, and not get tired of it.

Ever.

You can see that in my seafood bisque, easy shrimp scampi pasta, crispy battered halibut, garlic steamed clams, Dungeness crab stuffed shells, blackened shrimp pasta, and my homemade crab cakes. Of all the seafood I love, and the list is LONG – a really big, well-cooked sea scallop is totally near the top.

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Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

These pan seared scallops are an excellent addition to your summer meal rotation. I don’t know about you, but with warm summer weather, I’m looking for EASY light meals that fill up my family and taste great. These pan seared scallops in garlic butter are exactly that!  

Scallops are the perfect summer choice because they’re high in protein and low in fat. Not only that, but they’re incredibly easy to make, and the rich, savory flavor is super versatile. These delicious scallops pair well with everything from pasta to asparagus.

Need a good asparagus recipe? Try it with my Perfect Grilled Asparagus!

Even better, throw together my Fettucini with Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce for a complete meal in no time! Now you’ll have time to sit outside after dinner and enjoy all the extra daylight!

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are in the bivalve family and live in saltwater all around the world.  Some species, bay scallops, thrive in bays and estuaries, while sea scallops are found deep in the ocean.

Scallops do not live in freshwater, only saltwater. Most are free-floating, but some species live by attaching themselves to a rock or other hard surface.

The free-floating varieties can even propel themselves through the water by clapping the two halves of their shells together! Scallops can be found living in sand, mud, rubble, kelp, and seagrass, as well as on rocks.

The shells of the scallop are called as the valves, hence the name “bivalve”.  

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Garlic Cream Sauce

Bay Scallops vs Sea Scallops

Bay scallops are small – about a half an inch on average. They’re more tender than sea scallops, with a more delicate flavor. In the United States, most bay scallops are harvested from the east coast. Sea scallops, on the other hand, are large. They’re usually around two inches across, but can grow as large as 8 inches! Sea scallops are harvested from much deeper waters and further out to sea.

What To Look For When Buying Scallops

When shopping for scallops you can buy either fresh or frozen. If you’re buying fresh scallops, look for these hallmarks:

  • Firm flesh, not wet or slimy
  • A briny sea scent
  • Creamy color (beige or pinkish is fine) slightly translucent
  • Whole meat, not shredded or discolored

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Tips for Cooking Scallops

Scallops are super easy to cook! If you’ve never tried making seared scallops, don’t worry! There’s nothing to it. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you’re working:

  • Scallops cook quickly, only 1 ½ – 2 minutes per side.
  • Start with DRY scallops. Pat them dry with paper towels, and get the surfaces as dry as you can.
  • Use a well-seasoned pan, and DON’T TOUCH THEM until they are ready to flip. That’s going to form that awesome crust that is so characteristic of a great scallop.
  • Scallops are done when they’re opaque and slightly browned.
  • Don’t forget the salt. It really brings out the flavor of the scallop and makes it shine!
  • They can be overdone, so watch them closely.
  • Remove scallops from heat just before they’re fully done to avoid overcooking.
  • Uncooked scallops can be kept in the fridge for up to two days.

Freezing and Reheating

Another great thing about making scallops is how easy they are to freeze and reheat for later! Whether you need to freeze them from fresh or save your meal for another day, the freezer is your friend.

Fresh, raw scallops should be refrigerated and used within two days, but if you can’t get to them in that time, toss them in your freezer. Just wrap them in plastic and put them in the back of your freezer, where it stays the coldest.

They’ll keep the best flavor for 3-6 months. To reheat them, either let them rest in the fridge for a day or put them in a bowl of water to defrost.

Before putting them in water, make sure they are in a sealed plastic bag, so they don’t touch the water directly.

Cooked scallops will keep 3-4 days in the fridge, or in an airtight container up to 6 months in the back of the freezer.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Garlic Cream Sauce-19

What kind of bacon should I use in the bacon cream sauce?

I actually used cottage bacon which comes from the shoulder of the pig, and is much leaner than typical bacon. I’d never tried it before, and it was wonderful.

For my breakfasts of bacon and eggs I still prefer the regular style bacon, but for dishes like this or anything you need crumbled or chopped bacon and want it to stay crisp? That cottage bacon was perfect.

You can use either kind in this sauce and it won’t negatively impact the end result.

How To Make Bacon Cream Sauce

I cooked the bacon first and then used the leftover grease to sear my scallops. The cottage bacon was so lean that I needed to add a little extra oil, but not much.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

All that stuff on the bottom of the pan?

You must leave it there.

Cook your scallops over medium heat to make sure the brown bits don’t burn because those are ALL flavor.

See that brown sauce?

ALL of that color is from the bottom of the pan from cooking the bacon and scallops. Yum. So add your spinach to the pan right after you remove the scallops, and then toss in your wine.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Add a few tablespoons of butter next.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Once it melts, pour in your cream.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Add in the bacon, and then let that mixture simmer, stirring frequently, until it reduced and tightens up a bit. Then toss in your noodles.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Stir those around, and reduce the heat to low. Taste, and if necessary – add a little salt. Use a light hand though! Depending on how salty your bacon is, this might not need any! I highly suggest unsalted butter as well to account for this.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

Serve the pasta with the scallops, and you have a rich, flavorful meal that is nice enough to serve your guests, but easy enough to feel confident preparing.

Dive in.

What Else Can I Make With Scallops?

Now that you’ve tried pan-fried garlic scallops in cast iron, try these recipes next!

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Seared Scallops

Yield: 6 people

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce

seared sea scallops

Delicious seared sea scallops with a rich bacon cream sauce is a delicious meal to serve any day of the week.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 slices cottage bacon
  • 12 large sea scallops, patted dry
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil, or canola/vegetable oil - only use if the bacon doesn't produce much grease
  • 1 large handful baby spinach
  • 2 teaspoons garlic
  • 1 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 3/4 cup cream
  • 8-10 ounces pasta, cooked and drained
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon until crisp in a well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick pan. Remove bacon from the pan, give it a rough chop, and set aside. If there is excess grease in the pan from the bacon, remove it and leave only about 2 tablespoons, or enough to coat the bottom of your pan liberally. If there isn't much grease left from the bacon, add in enough oil to liberally coat the pan. Seeing a pattern here?
  2. Place the scallops in the pan, and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. DON'T MOVE THE SCALLOPS AROUND TOO MUCH! You want them to develop a bit of a crust, and that doesn't happen if you mess with them. Flip once, brown the other side, and the remove from the pan.
  3. Toss the baby spinach and garlic in the pan, give it a couple stirs, and then add in the white wine and butter.
  4. After the butter melts, stir in the cream and bacon and let the sauce simmer over low(ish) heat until it is slightly thickened and has tightened up a bit.
  5. Mix in the cooked pasta, and toss to coat. Taste, and add salt if needed.
  6. Serve with the scallops, and top with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 912Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 434mgCarbohydrates: 121gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 33g

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

25 Buttery Delicious Scallop Recipes - Living La Vida Holoka

Friday 19th of October 2018

[…] Pan Seared Sea Scallops with White Wine Bacon Cream Sauce – Or Whatever You Do […]

Tina

Tuesday 16th of June 2015

Made this tonight and it was ok. Cut back to half on the wine and it still didn't thicken. Flavor was bland, kind of like we were missing something. I think next time I would add mushrooms and perhaps diced tomato or sun dried tomatoe strips for an additional layer of flavor. Would also switch the amounts of white wine and heavy cream. Much less wine would give the sauce a thicker consistency. Used Sauvignon Blanc and might try a Chardonnay as a sweeter flavor might have helped. Would try it again with modifications.

Nicole Johnson

Tuesday 16th of June 2015

Thanks for the feedback, Tina! I appreciate it! The sauce takes a bit to thicken, and it will depend on what temp your stove is, and how strong you are simmering. I think mushrooms would be a great addition to this!

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