Bay Scallops With Garlic

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/29/24
Tested by
Lauryn Bodden
headshot for associate food editor Lauryn Bodden
Tested by Lauryn Bodden
Lauryn is Food Editor for The Spruce Eats, creating recipes and cooking guides for all palates and expertise.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings

There's something about cooking scallops at home that feels luxurious and indulgent. That might be because they seem like the domain of restaurants and because they're not exactly the least expensive piece of seafood or shellfish you can buy. But they cook fast and aren't hard to cook at all. They just need a little TLC; because they cook so quickly, it also means it's very easy to overcook them.

Scallops with garlic on an oval serving platter

The Spruce Eats

Scallops are typically labeled as either bay scallops or sea scallops. Bay scallops are much smaller, averaging about 100 per pound. Sea scallops are around three times larger, averaging about 30 per pound. Consequently, bay scallops need less time to cook; plus, they tend to be more tender and a bit sweeter.

The scallops take very little preparation. Just toss them with some flour and chop the garlic. Since they cook in a matter of minutes, have all of the ingredients and meal items ready when you add the scallops to the pan. Avoid overcooking them, as they can become tough and rubbery when overcooked.

A combination of garlic and olive oil makes the flavors in this dish similar to shrimp scampi and tastes great alongside a pot of rice or served atop angel hair pasta. The garnish of fresh chopped parsley adds flavor and color to the dish. Feel free to garnish the scallops with sliced green onion tops or chives if you like. Or sprinkle the scallops with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve the scallops with pasta or rice along with sautéed spinach or Swiss chard.

Why Are Scallops So Expensive?

Scallops are a delicacy and expensive to farm, so many of them are harvested in the wild. The demand for them doesn't abate. The further you live from the source (i.e., somewhere landlocked), the more expensive it is to transport them to your local grocery store or fishmonger—and keep them fresh during that process. Unlike other shellfish and seafood, scallops don't always take well to freezing; their tender texture suffers.

Why Did My Scallops Get Gummy?

Make sure to space the scallops apart in one layer in a hot skillet, cooking in batches as needed. If the skillet is overcrowded, the scallops will steam and the floury coating will get soft and gummy. It's also important to shake off any excess flour from the scallops before adding to the skillet.

Tips for Making Scallop Recipe

  • Rinse thoroughly - Bits of sand can hide in small cracks on the surface of the scallops, so rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Scallops can release quite a bit of moisture, so pat them dry with paper towels before cooking.
  • Don't buy frozen - Wet-pack scallops are fine, but try to avoid scallops labeled "water added." Dry-pack scallops are usually of higher quality but might be hard to find. The scallops shouldn't look too wet or too dry. (Try to stay away from frozen scallops, unless you are aware of their quality. Sometimes frozen ones can be harder to brown.)
  • Small or large is ok - This recipe can also be made with larger sea scallops. Slice them into thinner pieces and be sure to remove the small, tough side muscle, if it is present.
  • Make it gluten-free - If you are adhering to a low-carb diet, feel free to skip the flour dusting. You can also use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour if you are avoiding gluten.
What You'll Need to Make This Scallops with Garlic Recipe
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A Great Garlic Press
Best Skillets
A Nice Heavy Skillet
Sabatier-14-inch-olivewood-slotted-spoon
A Good Slotted Spoon

"This quick recipe makes scallops approachable for all levels of cooks, highlighting their refreshing flavor with a bright finish of lemon, garlic, and parsley." —Lauryn Bodden

Bay scallops with garlic and parsley on a white platter
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds bay scallops

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Parsley, chopped, for garnish

  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for bay scallops with garlic recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. Rinse 1 1/2 pounds bay scallops thoroughly with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

    Bay scallops rinsed and in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Put 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl; roll the scallops in the flour to lightly coat, dusting off any excess.

    Bay scallops coated with flour in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats

  4. Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, lightly brown the scallops in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet, for about 90 seconds, stirring frequently. Remove cooked scallops with a slotted spoon to a plate.

    Bay scallops cooking in oil in a skillet

    The Spruce Eats

  5. Return all the scallops to the skillet and add 2 cloves garlic (minced), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper; stir to blend. Continue to cook and turn for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer, lowering the heat if needed.

    Minced garlic and salt added to pan with scallops

    The Spruce Eats

  6. Garnish the scallops with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired. Serve with hot cooked pasta or rice along with sautéed spinach or Swiss chard.

    Bay scallops cooked with garlic and parsley

    The Spruce Eats

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Add veggies - If you would like to add vegetables to the scallops, mushrooms are a good choice. Sauté about 1 cup of sliced mushrooms for about 2 minutes before you add the scallops to the pan. Scallops are also especially good served with spinach, Swiss chard, carrots, or celery.
  • For a smoky flavor - Garnish the scallops with a few tablespoons of cooked crumbled bacon or pancetta.
  • Make it with browned butter - Browned butter is another excellent flavor enhancer. Brown 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the cooked scallops. Add a little bit of fresh thyme, white wine, or garlic.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
442 Calories
16g Fat
44g Carbs
39g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 442
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 1219mg 53%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 39g
Vitamin C 109mg 544%
Calcium 77mg 6%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 894mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)