25 Quick and Easy Scallop Recipes That Are Perfect for Weeknight Dinners

A screaming-hot skillet and baking sheet yield fantastic seared scallops and quick-roasted tomatoes and veggies. The luxurious sauce is little more than butter emulsified into reduced white wine—keep the butter cold and whisk it in gradually for the creamiest sauce.

The trick to perfect scallops is to leave them alone once they hit the pan—they’ll stick to the skillet at first then release once they sear. If you prefer less heat, use just one Fresno chile and remove the seeds before adding to the pan.

Serve these tender scallops with roasted green beans and shallots.

With only five ingredients and less than 20 minutes, you'll have a surf and turf meal that is set to impress. Serve this company-worthy platter with a green salad, and you're set for an elegant, fuss-free meal. For a more affordable (but equally tasty) option, try using shrimp in place of the scallops. Seared scallops are so easy and pair so well with the crispy, buttery flavor of the bacon and fresh navel oranges. As the scallops sear in the bacon drippings, they become crisp on the outside and cook slowly on the inside. 

Lemony haricots verts provide a crunchy counterpoint to the seared scallops.

Scallops and bacon create a classic flavor combination. Watercress offers a refreshing change from spinach and other greens.

Here we season quick-cooking scallops with inspiration from Caribbean pepper pot recipes. To get a nice sear on the scallops without any sticking, be sure to thoroughly pat your scallops dry and preheat the skillet until it’s nice and hot.

The spicy scallops are cooled by the sweet, minty watermelon salsa. Ask for “dry” sea scallops at the fish counter. Other scallops have been treated with a sodium solution that prevents them from browning nicely and can make the texture of the meat less pleasant.

Grill scallops and cucumber halves for tasty toppings on this fresh and flavorful salad. You'll love how the sweet watermelon and mint flavors play off one another.

Celery is such an underrated vegetable, often used as a flavor accent for soups or Thanksgiving stuffing. But it shines as the star in a salad, thanks to its fantastic crunch and naturally salty flavor. For ease and speed, we advise slicing thinly on a mandoline. To slice by hand, line up 3 stalks side-by-side and slice all at once instead of slicing each stalk individually. The crisp texture of the salad provides a nice contrast to the creamy-meaty scallops. Golden raisins are a surprising and delicious addition, offering a pop of sweetness and chewy texture; you can substitute regular raisins, dried currants, or dried cranberries.

Sautéed snap peas, pancetta, and shallots make a speedy but sophisticated accompaniment to seared scallops.

Pair sea scallops with a cauliflower and potato puree for an elegant yet weeknight-friendly meal.

Licorice and citrus notes highlight the sweetness of the scallops. Scallops cook quick, so think of this recipe for a low-maintenance dinner.

Inspired by the famed San Francisco meal-in-a-bowl, this comes together with minimal fuss. Serve it with Parmesan toast. Scallops, in addition to two other types of seafood, make this warming treat a protein-packed, healthy alternative to creamy, high-fat soups and stews.

Fresh scallops taste great with citrusy herbs, like the lemongrass, in this recipe. Try serving this as an appetizer to an Asian entrée.

Scallops cooked in a pan are always in danger of being steamed rather than seared, so be sure to use a big pan and high heat. A cast-iron skillet is ideal since it gets really hot and can handle high temperatures.

Serve these quick-cooking scallops over a bed of whole-grain pasta or brown rice for a filling (and impressive) meal.

Italian for "angry," arrabbiata is a spicy tomato sauce. For true fury, use 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper in this delicious seafood dish.

Pair this one-dish seared scallops meal with a side of garlic bread. It's perfect for sopping up every last drop of the delicious sauce. The iron in spinach and protein in the beans and scallops make this a perfect alternative to a red meat meal.

Perfectly seared sea scallops are finished with a homemade citrus salsa. The star, winter’s satsuma, are one of the sweetest citrus varieties with a meltingly tender texture. Look for satsumas with firm, tight peels, with no hollow-feeling or dented spots; heavier ones are generally juicier.

Escabèche is a Spanish dish in which cooked seafood is marinated and served cold as an appetizer. Though it's traditionally made with sardines, escabèche is also good with other seafood, including scallops and shrimp. Marinate for only 30 minutes to ensure the scallops remain tender. Top with thyme sprigs.

Seared scallops and spicy paprika syrup make for a light and flavorful combination.

Risotto must be served immediately so you can best savor its rich creaminess. With this version, there's just enough for two healthful portions. Complete the meal with a salad, bread, and crisp white wine.

This dish makes a uniquely delicious first course. Look for matcha—a Japanese green tea powder with a vibrant color and deep, somewhat bitter, flavor—in Asian grocery stores or gourmet markets. If you can't find it, pulverize regular green tea in a spice grinder.

Save this recipe for your next date night at home. Serve with wide rice noodles and sugar snap peas.

Fresh thyme, lemon, and white wine round out the all-star cast of flavors in this light and luscious recipe.