The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Cleaning, and Cooking Scallops

Discover everything about scallops, from distinguishing between sea and bay varieties, to cleaning and cooking techniques. Plus, get easy recipes to bring the taste of fine dining to your home for a fraction of the cost.

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are shellfish with two hinged shells and a unique muscle that opens and closes the shell. When cooked, this muscle becomes tender, mild, and slightly sweet in flavor.

Different Types of Scallops

In the market, you'll encounter two types of scallops: the small bay scallops, harvested from shallow coastal waters like bays and estuaries, and the larger, more robust sea scallops, found in colder, deeper ocean waters.

How to Purchase and Clean Scallops

Scallops can be found fresh or frozen. Fresh scallops might be sold in their shells or already shucked. Don’t assume fresh scallops are always the better option; they could have been improperly handled or previously frozen and thawed. Always check their smell—fresh scallops should have a clean, sweet scent. If they smell overly fishy, it’s best to pass on them.

Scallops are highly perishable, so it’s ideal to cook them on the same day you buy them. If you purchase frozen scallops, they can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Frozen scallops are usually sold shucked; to thaw, let them sit in the fridge overnight instead of using the microwave.

When buying scallops still in their shells, you'll need an oyster knife to open them and free the meat. Don't forget to remove the frill and the black stomach sac before rinsing the scallop.

Should You Wash Scallops?

After shucking a scallop, rinse it gently with cool water. Don’t forget to remove the small side muscle, a thin, oblong tissue that can be easily cut or pulled off. Be sure to pat the scallops dry before cooking them.

4 Ways to Cook Scallops

1. Pan-Seared Scallops

Sea scallops are perfect for searing, as they develop a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with their tender, buttery interior. Here’s how to achieve that flawless golden crust:

1. Pat the scallops dry and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a tablespoon of butter (avoid extra-virgin olive oil as it has a low smoke point).
3. Place the scallops in the hot pan without moving them for at least 2 minutes to allow a perfect crust to form.
4. Flip the scallops and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side.

Seared scallops are delicious with tropical accompaniments like mango salsa or pineapple and lemongrass.

Other seared scallop recipes:

• Seared Scallops with Jalapeno Vinaigrette and Orange (shown above)
• Seared Scallops with Spicy Papaya Sauce
• Basil Pan-Seared Scallops over Pasta

Seared scallops also pair beautifully with pasta dishes. Try this recipe for Savory Sea Scallops and Angel Hair Pasta. Pro Tip: For smaller scallop pieces, slice them in half horizontally before searing. This reduces cooking time by half, so be careful not to overcook them.

Explore more delicious scallop and pasta recipes:

• Basil Pan-Seared Scallops over Pasta
• Pasta with Pesto and Scallops
• Scallops and Spinach over Pasta

2. Broiled Scallops

Coquilles St-Jacques (pictured above) is a classic French dish often reserved for special occasions, yet it’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home. This dish features scallops gently poached in a flavorful blend of mushrooms, shallots, and white wine. The scallops are then placed on a bed of the sautéed vegetables, topped with a creamy, rich sauce, Gruyère cheese, and broiled until golden and bubbling.

Traditionally served in a scallop shell, this dish can also be broiled and presented in shallow ramekins, especially if your scallops were pre-shucked.

More broiled scallop recipes:

• Broiled Scallops
• Broiled Scallops with Chanterelles
• Scallop Blankets Appetizer

3. Baked Scallops

Baking scallops is one of the simplest methods, and it only takes a few minutes. A crispy crumb topping adds a satisfying crunch to the outside, while the scallops remain tender and smooth inside. Try this recipe for Delicious Baked Sea Scallops, as shown above.

Other baked scallop recipes:

• Dinah's Baked Scallops
• Baked Scallops
• Pecan Baked Scallops

4. Grilled Scallops

You can create perfectly grilled scallops, even with a simple George Foreman grill. Just ensure the scallops are cold and dry before grilling, and avoid overcooking them, as they’ll turn rubbery. Try this recipe for Grilled Scallops, as shown above.

1. Begin by threading the scallops onto skewers or use a wire grill basket.
2. Grill the scallops for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping once.

Explore more grilled scallop recipes:

• Scallop and Shrimp Kabobs
• Grilled Garlic Parmesan Crusted Scallops
• Grilled Bay Scallops