This post will cover the three best ways for how to reheat scallops, including our favorite method, which we have used for years.
We all (who love scallops) know that cold scallops are delicate.
You can eat them chilled out of the fridge or defrost them in the microwave like a snack, and there’s no problem.
But when they’re hot and steaming, with a silky butter sauce on top?
That’s a whole another level of happiness.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to experience that bliss too often, mostly because we eat them all immediately upon cooking the first time. Nom nom.
We don’t have a way to reheat scallops properly.
This article is here to help!
You will learn exactly how to reheat scallops in three different ways: in the oven, stovetop, and microwave.
And you won’t have to worry about them being tough, overheated and dry, or just plain meh…not what you wanted at all.
Now, the question is: how to reheat scallops, so they stay tender, buttery, and springy but not rubbery and dry?
Read on to find out!
Before we continue, we’d like to share a few notes with you.
Clearly, the dish’s success depends on the quality of the scallops.
So, freshness is the key. You want your scallops to be almost translucent at the edges.
If they look too opaque, they’ve lost some water content and will be tougher and less flavorful.
The following steps worked best for us, but you wouldn’t need every device or service we used to get the job done.
And as you move along, you may discover new things.
There are two main ways in which we recommend reheating scallops:
- Warming them up in the oven
- Reheating scallops on the stovetop
- Reheating scallops in the microwave is an acceptable option if you are in a hurry.
- Warming them up in the oven
- Reheating scallops on the stovetop
- Reheating scallops in the microwave is an acceptable option if you are in a hurry.
While we cannot recommend heating up scallops in your microwave (because they will be rubbery and dry if you cook them too long), there is a way to do it correctly.
However, if you are pressed for time, you can take a few steps to ensure that the scallops turn out right.
Here is why we prefer these two methods to bring back those tender scallops: the oven or the stovetop method.
Here are our preferred methods for reheating leftover scallops.
All other methods are listed below as options as well.
For full instructions, skip down to the step-by-step guide.
- On the stovetop: Let scallops come to room temperature for 10 minutes or until ready (defrost if necessary). Put scallops in a non-stick pan and turn heat to low-medium level. Cover the pan for 2-3 minutes, then flip scallops and let it sit for another 2-3 minutes. Keep repeating until the scallops reach desired internal temperature.
- Reheat in the oven: Let scallops come to room temperature for 10 minutes or until ready (defrost if necessary). Preheat the oven. Place the scallops covered in foil in the oven for 15 minutes or until they reach the desired temperature.
- In the microwave: Set the microwave power to 90% and the timer to 20 seconds. Microwave scallops until they are just barely warm to a gentle touch.
If you ask yourself “can you reheat scallops?,” the answer is: YES.
But should you?
Scallops can become chewy and rubbery if
But if you’re going to heat them anyway, here’s how you’d do it.
First, make sure your scallops have rested long enough.
You don’t want to be reheating them and realizing they were still piping hot when you put them away.
If the scallops are still warm, let them rest until they are at room temperature.
Next, heat them slowly and gently.
Heat is the enemy of seafood, so you want to avoid exposing your scallops to too much heat at once (or for too long).
Use a low setting on your stove or oven, and check from time to time to make sure they aren’t getting too hot too fast.
Finally, don’t expect them to be as delicious as freshly-cooked scallops!
They’ll be edible and safe to eat but probably would taste different from the day you made them.
How to store leftover scallops
Okay, so how to store leftover scallops?
Ideally, you should not store cooked scallops in the refrigerator for longer than three to four days because they spoil quickly.
It’s safest to freeze your cooked scallops immediately after bringing them to room temperature if you want to keep the leftovers for another time.
How to store leftover scallops in the fridge
There are still some scallops in the fridge.
How do you store them?
The exact answer to that question depends greatly on how the scallops are stored.
So, what do you need to do?
To keep cooked scallops safe and fresh, store them in shallow airtight containers or cover them with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap when you put them in the fridge,
They can also stay in the fridge for 3 to 4 days if you store them properly.
How to store leftover scallops in the freezer
Now that you know how to store scallops in the fridge, how about freezing them?
Make sure that you freeze cooked scallops in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
And wrap the scallops tightly in aluminum foil or freezer paper to keep the scallops fresh for longer.
Also, you can freeze them for a long time.
Remember: Cooked scallops that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F in the freezer will remain safe indefinitely
However, experts recommend to consume the food for 2 to 3 months for best quality.
How to tell if cooked scallops are still good
If you’re not sure whether your scallops are still good, don’t taste them to find out!
Doing so is a shortcut to food poisoning.
Instead, use your eyes and nose to determine if they’re safe to eat.
Look at the scallops: if they have a slimy texture or an odd color, it’s best to discard them. If they don’t look how you remember them looking, toss them!
Give the scallops a smell: if they smell sour or “off,” throw them out.
And keep in mind to always discard scallops that look or smell bad, even if you cooked them thoroughly.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Plus, knowing how to tell if cooked scallops are still good will save you a trip to the emergency!
Can you reheat frozen scallops?
So can you reheat frozen scallops?
YES, you can definitely reheat frozen scallops!
You have to make sure that they’re thawed out completely—otherwise, you might end up with a mushy mess (and we know you wanted perfectly tender scallops).
Just take them out of the freezer and let them sit in the fridge overnight so they can thaw.
And remember: Don’t leave them out on the countertop!
Once they thaw, it’s best to keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to begin cooking.
Step-by-step guide to reheating scallops
We have a method listed below that you will surely want to take advantage of.
The goal is for those scallops to taste as delicious as they did the first day.
Just know that no matter how you reheat your scallops, you’re in good hands.
How to reheat scallops in the oven
Estimated time required: About an hour (This includes 15 minutes for the scallops to come to room temperature).
There isn’t as much of an easy way to evenly heat scallops.
If you leave them in an oven for a long time, the outside could burn.
It’s a good thing that the temperature inside the oven is even, which means that the scallops are heated evenly.
As a result, putting them in an oven is the best way to heat them.
Tools required:
- oven
- pan or any oven-safe dish
- aluminum foil
- thermometer (optional)
Here’s how to reheat leftover scallops item in the oven:
- Before putting scallops in the oven, take them out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Put the scallops on a pan or any other oven-safe dish and put them in the oven.
- Spray some water on the scallops to make them a little more slippery. Water droplets will make steam, which will help the scallops heat evenly and keep their moisture.
- Use aluminum foil to cover up the dish. It will also keep the heat in and keep the top part of the scallops from getting burned.
- Let the scallops get warm in the oven for up to 15 minutes. Then, during the next 10 minutes, check to see if the scallops are cooked to your liking. If so, get them out. Make sure the scallops are cooked to 125°F with a thermometer if you have one to make sure they are done inside.
- When the scallops are correctly heated, take them out of the oven and serve with your favorite sides.
Tips and tricks
- Ensure the scallops come up to room temperature before putting them in the oven (they might stay cold even when the sides start to get hot).
- Remember not to let the scallops out for more than two hours because it could be dangerous.
How to reheat scallops on the stovetop?
Estimated time required: 32 minutes
Stovetops are the second-best method of reheating scallops.
Some people prefer to use a microwave, but this can lead to a dried-out exterior and an undercooked interior.
On the other hand, the stovetop allows you to more evenly warm up your scallops, resulting in a more even cooking of the edges and center and a better overall texture.
Tools required:
- stovetop
- non-stick pan or skillet
- lid (for the pan)
- thermometer
Here’s how to reheat leftover scallops on the stovetop:
- Start by taking the scallops out of the fridge and let them sit out to reach room temperature.
- Put the scallops in a non-stick pan that is set on a low.
- There should be low to medium heat on the stove. Don’t use a lot of heat because the outside of the scallops will quickly get burned, while the inside will stay icy cold.
- Splash some water into the pan and then cover it with the lid. This will keep the steam inside and make sure the scallops are heated evenly.
- Flip the scallops every 2 or 3 minutes to heat them evenly and get a nice color on both sides.
- You should check the inside temperature of the scallops to see if it is in the range of 125 to 140°F. If so, take the scallops out of the pan and serve them right away.
Tips and tricks
- When you reheat scallops, the best way to make them taste like they were just cooked is to top them with a tasty lemon sauce.
How to reheat scallops in the microwave?
Estimated time required: 2 minutes (This includes the preparation and the repeated heating time, if possible.)
Using a microwave is a good and easy way to heat up many types of food and dishes, but not seafood.
So, make sure that you don’t heat up scallops in the microwave if there are other ways to do it.
While warming scallops in the microwave, keep your expectations low.
Assume that the microwave oven will overcook the scallops on the outside while leaving the inside cold.
It can also make the scallops dry and rubbery, which you do not want.
Tools required:
- microwave
- microwave-safe dish
- microwave-safe cover
- damp paper towel or plastic wrap
- fork or any utensil (for stirring the scallops)
- thermometer (optional)
Here’s how to reheat leftover scallops in the microwave:
- Put the scallops in a microwave-safe dish with any sauces or juices. Add some water if you don’t have any juices.
- Cover with a microwave-safe cover, a damp paper towel, or plastic wrap to keep the food from getting too hot in the microwave (keep it loose).
- Set the power to 90% and the timer to 20 seconds, then press the start button to proceed. If there are a lot of scallops or a lot of sauce, start with 30 seconds at 90% and work your way up from there.
- Look inside to see if they’re hot enough. You should see a little steam, or you can use a thermometer to check the inside temperature. If not, stir the scallops or move them around and heat them again at 90% power for another 15 seconds.
- Remove and serve once the scallops are heated through.
Tips and tricks
- If you prefer to have a bit of crust on the scallops, heat a lightly oiled pan on the stove at medium heat level and briefly sear each side on it.
- Add a few small droplets of water to the scallops, so they don’t dry out when heated in the microwave.
- Use cling wrap to cover the bowl in the microwave. This will keep the steam from getting into the bowl and making it hot.
The bottom line
What a journey!
We hope you’ve liked our quick and simple guide about reheating scallops.
Who knew it’s so easy to bring back the tenderness of scallops that have been sitting in the fridge for a few hours?
So, if you love scallops but don’t have the time to go out for them on a Friday night, simply reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop, and you’ll enjoy a similar experience.
Unfamiliar with scallops? Learn interesting facts about this treasured seafood, including their flavor profile and even some helpful tips on cooking them.
Cooking scallops is fun and easy, so do choosing their side dishes!
How To Reheat Scallops In The Oven
Reheat your scallops in the oven so they stay tender, buttery, and springy; we share some nifty tips and tricks, too!
Ingredients
- Scallops
- Pan or any safe dish
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
- Thermometer (optional)
Instructions
- Let scallops come to room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Put the scallops on a pan or any other oven-safe dish and put them in the oven.
- Spray some water on the scallops to make them a little more slippery.
- Use aluminum foil to cover up the dish. It will also keep the heat in and keep the top part of the scallops from getting burned.
- Let the scallops get warm in the oven for up to 15 minutes.
- During the next 10 minutes, check to see if the scallops are cooked to your liking.