Easy Seared Scallops

This is the easiest recipe to get perfect seared scallops with a beautiful, golden-brown crust! With only a couple of simple ingredients, these seared scallops are perfect for date night, dinner parties, or Valentine’s Day.

Why This Recipe Is So Good

• These easy seared scallops are so simple to make with just two ingredients!
• They’re restaurant-quality but are ready in just ten minutes.
• Even though these scallops are easy enough for a beginner to make, they are incredibly flavorful, juicy, and have a perfect golden-brown crust.
• These scallops make an elegant appetizer or indulgent main course.
• Perfect for date night or Valentine’s Day!
• These delicious scallops are naturally keto, Paleo, Whole30, and gluten-free.

Chef’s Tips

• When drying the scallops, make sure they are VERY dry. This is the only way to get that gorgeous crust!
• Do not move the scallops after adding to the skillet. Keeping them still gives them their even, crispy texture.
• Instead of avocado oil, you can use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like grape seed oil or refined coconut oil.

More Date Night Recipes

• Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Herb-Butter Sauce
• Marry Me Chicken (Chicken in a Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce)
• Paleo Chocolate Mousse Dip for Strawberries (Vegan)
• Easy Prime Rib with Au Jus Recipe and Perfect Creamy Horseradish Sauce
• Healthy Chicken Alfredo with Spaghetti Squash (Whole30, Paleo, Dairy Free)
• Lemon Garlic Salmon (Whole30, Paleo, Low Carb, Keto)

Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

5 from 1 vote

Easy Seared Scallops

Prep:5 minutes

Cook:4 minutes

Total:9 minutes

The perfect recipe for seared scallops with a beautiful golden-brown crust. Made with only two ingredients in about ten minutes, perfect for Valentine's Day or date night.

• Pin

Print Save Saved! Go Premium – Ad Free + Meal Plans!

4 servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound scallops
• ▢ 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• ▢ salt
• ▢ pepper

Equipment

• Cast iron skillet

Instructions 

• Rinse scallops in cold water and remove the "foot." (This is the muscley piece that keeps the scallop attached to its shell. Just use your fingers to pull off and discard it.) Dry scallops very well and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking (about five minutes). Add avocado oil and heat until shimmering.
• Add scallops to the skillet to sear. Sear 2 minutes, then flip over in the order you put them in the pan (to ensure equal cooking time). Sear the other side for an additional 2 minutes.

Notes

• Preparing scallops: When drying the scallops, make sure they are VERY dry. This is the only way to get that gorgeous crust!
• Getting a perfect crust: Do not move the scallops after adding to skillet. Keeping them still gives them their even, crispy texture.
• Variations: Instead of avocado oil, you can use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like grape seed oil or refined coconut oil.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 109kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 445mg, Potassium: 232mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 4g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik