Looking for scallop recipes? Scallops make an easy starter to serve at a dinner party, plus the shells add a pretty touch to impress your guests. As well as recipes for scallops in their shell, we have some seafood risotto ideas and much more. Next, try our clam recipes and mussels recipes.

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How do you cook scallops?

Scallops are great seared, pan fryed, barbecued, grilled or cooked in their shell.

How to sear scallops: You sear scallops by heating a frying pan, griddle or barbecue until very hot. Toss the scallops in a little oil and season. Cook for 30 seconds on each side until just caramelised, then remove from the pan.

How to pan-fry scallops: To pan fry the scallops, heat a frying pan over a high heat, season and toss in oil. Cook for a minute on the first side until caramelised, then add a knob of butter, flip the scallops and cook for a minute more.

How do you prepare scallops?

Remove the scallop and its row and skirt from its shell. Peel off the skirt from around the scallop and discard. Run under gently running cold water to remove any grit. You should be left with the scallop meat and its row attached.

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Scallop recipes

Scallops in the shell recipes

Grilled scallops with ’nduja butter

Start Christmas dinner with a bang and serve these flavour-packed, spicy scallops in their shells.

Grilled Scallops Recipe with ’Nduja Butter

Peruvian scallops

A crowd-pleaser of a dish at barbecues, why not give this simple recipe for Peruvian scallops a go, served with coriander and lime.

A small white tray filled with scallops in their shells with wedges of lime on top

Queen scallops with sauternes butter

Try this buttery scallop recipe from littlefrench, an intimate neighbourhood restaurant in Bristol serving sumptuous regional French recipes.

Queen Scallops Recipe with Sauternes Butter Sauce

Scallop shell pies

We serve these pretty pies in their original scallop shell and top with flaky puff pastry, a perfect way to impress guests.

Scallop Pie Recipe

Queenie scallops baked in the shell

Want a simple scallop recipe to serve as a starter? This recipe for baked-in-the-shell queenie scallops is impressive and luxurious.

Queenie Scallops Recipe

Scallops with Vietnamese herb sauce

These grilled scallops are super easy to make, low in calories and look impressive. Served with a vibrant Vietnamese herb sauce, this scallop recipe is super fresh and a great starter for two.

Scallops Recipe with Vietnamese Sauce

BBQ scallops

Check out our easy scallop recipe, perfect for a quick yet impressive dinner party starter. You’ll need to get scallops in shells from a fishmonger – ask them to clean them for you and keep the shells for cooking. If you’re grilling, use little beds of coarse salt to keep the scallops level.

BBQ Scallops in Shell Recipe

Wood-fired scallops, parsley and garlic butter

This simple but impressive starter only takes 15 minutes of hands-on time, and comes from the restaurant at The Double Red Duke hotel in the Cotswolds.

A round plate with three scallops on a table with a white napkin

Scallop, celeriac and shiitake

Jackson Boxer serves this seafood starter at his Hebrides-inspired Notting Hill restaurant, Orasay. Here's how to make it at home for your next dinner party.

Scallops Recipe with Celeriac and Mushrooms

Scallops Mornay

This classic recipe from Valentine Warner for sweet scallops in a bubbling cheese sauce makes for an indulgent starter or lighter meal for two.

Scallops Mornay Recipe

Scallop starter recipes

Seared scallops with brown butter and cauli 'risotto'

This recipe for seared scallops with brown butter and cauli 'risotto' makes a great gluten-free starter that feels really indulgent.

Seared Scallops With Brown Butter And Cauliflower 'Risotto'

Scandinavian scallops

Try this sophisticated starter for two where scallops, leeks and reindeer sit on a bed of mussel sauce. This recipe comes from Joni Ketonen, the Finnish head chef at Eldr restaurant in Belgravia.

A sophisticated plate of food including seared scallops and nasturtium leaves

Scallop ceviche

Try fresh scallops marinated in lime juice. Originating from South America, ceviche is an easy recipe to make at home. Serve as an appetiser or smart supper for two.

Scallop Ceviche Recipe

Scallops with butternut purée and sage butter

This recipe for scallops with butternut purée and sage butter makes for an easy but impressive starter. You can thank us later.

Scallops Recipe with Butternut Squash Purée

Scallop main course ideas

Scallop and prawn risotto

Our impressive seafood risotto recipe includes prawns and scallops for a rich entertaining idea for seafood lovers. Check out more risotto recipes here...

Prawn Risotto Recipe with Scallops

Healthy scallops

Healthy, quick and packed full of flavour, this recipe with smoky spiced chickpeas and golden, tender scallops is one to make room for on the weekday dinner rotation.

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A white plate piled with three large scalops on a bed of golden chickpeas with a garnish of rocket to the side

Scallops with charred leeks and basil

Cook scallops for a special meal for two. Just five ingredients; leeks, scallops, oil, basil and cherry tomatoes and it takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Pan Fried Scallops Recipe with Charred Leeks

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