These bay scallop recipes are a delicious way to enjoy this famous seafood! Learn some buying tips and find the best places to buy bay scallops for your dishes here.
Bay scallops are a delicacy that seafood lovers can truly appreciate. These small mollusks are popular among culinary enthusiasts and revered for their delicate flavor and tender texture.
Cooks choose bay scallops for their delicate, sweet flavor and quick cooking time. They’re often paired with creamy or bright sauces and can be seared, baked, broiled, or grilled in just a few minutes. They’re versatile, too, working well in dishes from creamy pastas to bright, citrusy salads.
From simple and fresh to creamy and comforting, these best bay scallop recipes show just how flexible this seafood can be.
- Local Seafood Markets: Fresh, local seafood, including bay scallops.
- Farmers Markets: Possible vendors with fresh seafood.
- Whole Foods Market: Offers good-quality, sustainable seafood.
- Costco: Good for bulk purchase of frozen bay scallops.
- Online Retailers:
- Vital Choice: Wide variety of seafood, including scallops.
- Fulton Fish Market: Offers a variety of seafood delivered at home.
- Sizzlefish: Premium seafood delivery service.
What To Look For When Buying Bay Scallops
When choosing bay scallops for your recipe, here are some key factors to help ensure you select the best quality:
- Freshness. Look for plump, firm, and moist scallops with a mild, sweet aroma. Avoid dry or discolored scallops with a strong fishy smell.
- Appearance. Choose creamy or off-white scallops that are translucent. Avoid those with a grayish tinge.
- Size. Bay scallops are typically 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter. Choose the size you prefer.
- Texture. Opt for scallops that feel firm and slightly springy. Avoid mushy or overly soft scallops.
- Source. Choose fresh, wild-caught scallops for better flavor and texture.
- Packaging. Make sure the scallops are well-chilled and properly stored on ice or refrigerated.
- Quality certifications. Look for scallops certified by reputable seafood organizations like the MSC.
- Trustworthy sources. Buy from trusted seafood markets, fishmongers, or reputable grocery stores.
Best Bay Scallop Recipes
This recipe will become your new favorite dish! The scallops are cooked in a simple garlic and white wine sauce, and the linguine is tossed in the same sauce. It’s then finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Ingredients include: Butter, bay scallops, linguine, garlic, and parsley.
This pasta dish is simple to make, but it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It features plump bay scallops, bacon, and creamy white wine sauce, all tossed with al dente fettuccine.
Ingredients include: Fettuccini pasta, bacon, garlic cloves, bay scallops, and Italian seasoning.
This recipe highlights baked bay scallops with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs in a creamy sauce. Before cooking scallops, they are soaked in milk, tenderizing and removing their fishy taste.
Ingredients include: Olive oil, garlic cloves, parsley, lemon juice, and breadcrumbs.
This pan-seared Nantucket bay scallops recipe is a tasty way to enjoy these delicate seafood morsels. The key to success is not to overcook the scallops, so ensure to keep an eye on them in the pan.
Ingredients include: Olive oil, butter, white wine, parsley, lemon wedges, and a pinch of salt.
This elegant dish showcases orzo pasta, cooked with asparagus and Parmesan, then tossed with sautéed bay scallops and a rich cream sauce. Cook the scallops quickly in butter to retain their sweet taste and moisture.
Ingredients include: Yellow onion, orzo pasta, asparagus, butter, parmesan cheese, and heavy whipping cream.
This recipe pairs tender bay scallops with a crunchy, buttery, lemony topping. The scallops are baked in a creamy sauce until tender, and the topping includes panko bread crumbs and other flavorful ingredients.
Ingredients include: Bay scallops, dry white wine, butter, bay leaf, and lemon.
This easy recipe showcases the natural sweet flavor of bay scallops, which are lightly seasoned with a combination of garlic, lemon juice, and butter, then broiled to perfection. It’s visually appealing and incredibly tasty.
Ingredients include: Bay scallops, garlic cloves, parsley, red pepper flakes, and butter.
This recipe features juicy bay scallops with vibrant bell peppers and aromatic ginger-infused risotto. The seafood complements the colorful bell peppers, while the ginger risotto adds a touch of warmth and depth to the dish.
Ingredients include: Bay scallops, extra-virgin olive oil, onion, arborio, and dry white wine.
This seafood dish features bay scallops with a tangy, buttery lemon sauce. The scallops are perfectly seared to achieve a golden crust, while the sauce infuses each bite with a refreshing citrus flavor.
Ingredients include: Garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, butter, and parsley.
This bay scallop chowder recipe is perfect for seafood lover friends! The secret is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The bay scallops should be sweet, the bacon should be crispy and smoky, and the clam juice should add a briny depth of flavor.
Ingredients include: Bacon, onions, garlic cloves, all-purpose flour, and chicken stock.
This delectable pasta dish mixes the zesty flavors of lemon and dill with tender scallops. The recipe is straightforward and allows customization; try it with shrimp or large sea scallops for a different twist.
Ingredients include: Pasta, bay scallops, butter, lemon, and flour.
This rich pasta dish showcases fresh scallops seared to perfection, tossed with a creamy sauce, and then finished with lemon juice and parsley. Serve with a side of crusty bread for a delicious and wholesome meal.
Ingredients include: Spaghetti, vegetable oil, butter, garlic cloves, and lemon zest.
This linguine dish is made with simple ingredients you probably already have. This dish is made in just 30 minutes and includes linguine tossed with seared bay scallops, wilted spinach, and a light tomato-wine sauce.
Ingredients include: Garlic cloves, scallops, baby spinach, linguine, and tomato.
This refreshing appetizer mixes tender bay scallops with zesty citrus juices and a medley of colorful vegetables. It’s typically served with avocado slices and saltine crackers or tostadas.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, tomatoes, and red onion.
These Bay Scallops With Garlic are a quick and easy weeknight meal. The scallops are pan-seared in a garlicky butter sauce and ready in 15 minutes. Serve over pasta, white rice, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients include: All-purpose flour, garlic cloves, lemon wedges, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
The Easy Bay Scallop Recipe takes about 20 minutes, start to finish. It can be customized to your taste, too! Add some tasty veggies to the sauce, or use different types of bread crumbs, such as panko or crushed croutons.
Ingredients include: Bay scallops, garlic, red chili flakes, capers, and red peppers.
The bay scallop pasta is a harmonious blend of flavors, with the sweet flavor of the scallops complemented by the tangy tomatoes and rich notes of the butter. Serve with a side of crusting bread for dipping.
Ingredients include: Spaghetti, tomatoes, butter, onion, panko bread crumbs, and parsley.
With its beautifully seared scallops, glossy Marsala cream, and rustic toast, this dish isn’t only tasty but also visually appealing. It can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or even for brunch.
Ingredients include: Garlic clove, sourdough bread, shallots, Marsala wine, and heavy cream.
Despite its gourmet feel, this dish doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The seared bay scallops are tender and slightly crisp on the outside, while the mango rice adds a unique, grainy texture.
Ingredients include: Olive oil, jasmine rice, coconut milk, mango spears, and lime wedges.
This recipe looks as impressive as it tastes. The golden-browned puff pastry encasing a rich filling of scallops and mushrooms gives it a sophisticated appearance. The dish pairs well with a crisp salad or a light soup.
Ingredients include: Cremini mushrooms, lemon juice, shallot, bourbon, and heavy cream.
This bay scallop dish exhibits a perfect balance of flavors! The delicate, sweet taste of the scallops blends beautifully with fragrant, peppery notes of fresh basil, while the cream sauce lends depth.
Ingredients include: Butter, spring onion, dry white wine, lemon juice, and heavy cream.
This recipe marries the sweet taste of bay scallops with the sharp, nutty flavor of Parmesan cheese. And when served with a lemon wedge or fresh herbs, it can be a real showstopper.
Ingredients include: Panko, lemon zest, parmesan, lemon juice, and garlic powder.
This vibrant salad recipe showcases the harmonious blend of sweet bay scallops, fresh baby kale, and crisp corn. The creamy dressing brings all of the flavors together.
Ingredients include: Oats, shallots, butter, baby kale, corn, and honey.
This recipe captivates with its combination of hearty seafood, aromatic herbs, and delicate pasta. The scallops provide a nice meaty texture, while the vermicelli pasta helps to soak up the sauce and flavors.
Ingredients include: Vermicelli, butter, garlic powder, oregano, and white wine.
25. Seafood Dynamite
Seafood Dynamite is a famous Japanese-inspired dish with various seafood, mushrooms, and a fiery dynamite sauce. The sauce is quite spicy, but you can adjust the amount of chili peppers to your taste.
Ingredients include: Baby shrimp, bay scallop, crab meat, mayo, and masago.
This recipe is a seafood lover’s delight, bringing together the natural sweet taste of simple shrimp and bay scallops. The delicate flavors of these two shellfish are elevated even further by adding herbs and spices.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, bay scallops, olive oil, garlic cloves, butter, and red pepper.
This recipe is a flavorful take on the classic Po’ Boy sandwich. The lightly fried bay scallops blend well with the heat from the spicy mayo, offering an exciting contrast of flavors.
Ingredients include: Mayo, garlic clove, paprika, hot sauce, and hot dog buns.
This creamy risotto highlights the combination of bay scallops and prosciutto. The risotto is cooked until creamy and tender, and the bay scallops are golden brown and plump. The saffron enhances the overall dish.
Ingredients include: Onion, arborio rice, prosciutto, dry white wine, and chicken broth.
These tacos feature savory, salty, and sweet flavor! The recipe includes bay scallops served in warmed flour tortillas and topped with roasted butternut squash, bacon, cheese, and herbs.
Ingredients include: Butternut squash, bacon, butter, flour tortillas, and parsley.
This recipe features tender and flavorful shrimp and scallops combined with a creamy and velvety Alfredo sauce that coats each strand of pasta. It’s budget-friendly and can be on the table in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients include:
The bottom line
Bay scallops are a treasure of the sea, celebrated for their delicate flavor and tender texture. Whether raw, seared, simmered, or used in various other dishes, they’re sure to please.
When it comes to achieving the best results, sourcing fresh and high-quality scallops is key. Respecting their delicate nature and pairing them thoughtfully with other ingredients is also essential.
More About Scallops
- What To Serve With Scallops
- What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- How To Reheat Scallops
- Ways To Cook Scallops
- What Do Scallops Taste Like
30 Best Bay Scallop Recipes
These bay scallop recipes are a delicious way to enjoy this popular seafood, featuring pasta dishes, salads, and more.
Ingredients
- Bay Scallops & Linguine
- Date Night Bay Scallop Fettuccine
- Baked Scallops Gratin
- Bay Scallops With Shallots & Lemon
- Creamy Orzo With Bay Scallops, Asparagus & Parmesan
- Bay Scallops Casserole
- Broiled Bay Scallops
- Bay Scallops With Bell Peppers & Ginger Risotto
- Lemon Butter Sauteed Scallops
- Bay Scallop Chowder
- Creamy Lemon-Dill Pasta With Bay Scallops
- Creamy Bay Scallop Spaghetti
- Linguine With Bay Scallops & Spinach
- Bay Scallop Ceviche
- Bay Scallops With Garlic
- Easy Bay Scallop Recipe
- Bay Scallops Pasta
- Bay Scallop-Marsala Cream Toasts
- Seared Bay Scallops With Mango Rice
- Scallops & Mushrooms In Puff Pastry
- Bay Scallops In Basil Cream Sauce
- Broiled Bay Scallops With Lemon Parmesan Panko
- Bay Scallop Corn Salad
- Pesto Vermicelli With Scallops
- Seafood Dynamite
- Shrimp & Bay Scallops
- Bay-Scallop Po' Boy With Spicy Mayo
- Bay Scallop Risotto With Prosciutto
- Bay Scallop Tacos
- Shrimp & Scallop Pasta Alfredo
Instructions
- Check our Bay Scallop Recipes list.
- Select a dish.
- Cook to your heart's content!
- Don't forget to share this list of meal inspiration!