Spicy Scallop Salad Recipe (2024)

Last Modified: by Paleo Leaper · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

As summer quickly approaches, I get the urge to spend more and more time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, this results in me spending less time in the kitchen; however, there are plenty of recipes available that can be thrown together in no time and still be thoroughly enjoyable.

Spicy Scallop Salad Recipe (1)

I tried out this Spicy Scallop Salad the other night, and it was amazing. It can be difficult to try and make a meal out of any salad, but I try to overcome this by adding fish or meat into the mix.

The salad becomes much more hearty and filling, and it is also the best way to add some distinct and powerful flavors, especiallywiththis recipe, because they are cooked in a coating of bold cayenne and black pepper.

When it comes to cooking with any seafood, fresh is always the best option. You can determine quite easily with scallops when they are best to buy, as they should take on a white and soft pink color.

If they seem to appear slightly yellow, you know they are no longer so fresh, and you want to avoid cooking with them.

If you're not sure, head over to a good fish market and ask your fishmonger about theprovenanceand freshness of the scallops. A good fish market is always a better place to buy fish and seafood than the grocery store anyway.

Below is the recipe I used, but know that there are a lot of options and alternatives when it comes to most of the ingredients. For instance, if you are not a fan of scallops, shrimp would be a great substitute. In addition, the vinaigrette is very versatile, making it a great topper for many salads.

Here scallops are a great option as they are quick and easy to prepare. They aren't a very popular source of protein, but it's a shame because they arenutritiousand blend very well with many flavors.

They are a good source of vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus, many of which are lacking in many people's diets, even some people on a healthy paleo diet.

Spicy scallop salad recipe

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper;
  • 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper;
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt;
  • 1 lb small sea or bay scallops;
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1.5 lemons);
  • 1 tablespoon paleo mayonnaise, optional;
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper;
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon or homemade mustard;
  • 1 clove garlic, minced;
  • ½ cup olive oil;
  • 2 big handfuls of mixed greens;
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips;
  • 1 avocado, cubed;
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;
  • 3 tbspcooking fat;
Spicy Scallop Salad Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Combine mixed greens, peppers, and avocado in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together the lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Once combined, slowly mix in the olive oil.
  3. In a bowl large enough to hold the scallops, mix the cayenne, salt, and pepper.
  4. Rinse the scallops and lightly pat dry.
  5. Add the scallops to the mixture prepared in step 4 and ensure that they are evenly coated.
  6. Over medium heat, heat a skillet and melt the cooking fat in preparation for searing the scallops. Your skillet must be hot prior to adding the scallops; however, do not allow the cooking fat to burn.
  7. Place the scallops in the pan and cook for about two minutes per side until they are opaque white and just cooked through.
  8. Add the scallops to the bowl of mixed greens and veggies, and add the dressing over the top. Serve while the scallops are still warm.

There you have it! This a quick and easy salad that will help limit your time in the kitchen and keep you under the sun longer.

📖 Recipe

Spicy Scallop Salad Recipe (3)

Spicy scallop salad recipe

A quick and bold, yet fresh tasting scallop salad ideal for the summer time when time is better spent outdoors than in the kitchen.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 532 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine mixed greens, peppers, and avocado in a large bowl and set aside.

    2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 big handfuls of mixed greens, 1 avocado

  • In a small bowl, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together the lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Once combined, slowly mix in the olive oil.

    1 teaspoon sea salt, 3 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon paleo mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon or homemade mustard, ½ cup olive oil

  • In a bowl large enough to hold the scallops, mix the cayenne, salt, and pepper.

    1 lb small sea or bay scallops, Pinch of cayenne pepper, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • Rinse the scallops and lightly pat dry.

  • Add the scallops to the mixture prepared in step 4 and ensure that they are evenly coated.

  • Over medium heat, heat a skillet and melt the cooking fat in preparation for searing the scallops. Your skillet must be hot prior to adding the scallops however, do not allow the cooking fat to burn.

    3 tablespoon cooking fat

  • Place the scallops in the pan and cook for about two minutes per side until they are opaque white and just cooked through.

  • Add the scallops to the bowl of mixed greens and veggies, and add the dressing over the top. Serve while the scallops are still warm.

    2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 clove garlic, 2 big handfuls of mixed greens, 1 red bell pepper

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 15gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 1060mgPotassium: 586mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1438IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Keyword salad, scallop, spicy

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Spicy Scallop Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best scallops in the world? ›

RENOWNED AS THE BEST SCALLOPS IN THE WORLD

Also known as Weathervane Scallops, Alaska Scallops are known for their large size, sweet flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, more than living up to their reputation as the world's finest and freshest scallops.

How long to soak scallops before cooking? ›

A: The ideal soaking time for scallops in milk is typically between 15 to 30 minutes. This duration allows the enzymes in the milk to work on tenderizing the scallops without overdoing it.

What are the best tasting scallops? ›

Bay scallops are a real treat, especially Nantucket Bay scallops and Peconic Bay scallops. There are other kinds of bay scallops, for example, southern bays and calicos, but Nantucket Bay scallops and Peconic Bay scallops are unparalleled.

What are the 5 basic salad types? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

Are frozen scallops better than fresh? ›

Fresh Vs.

If you live near the coast and have a reputable seafood purveyor, and plan to use the scallops the same day you buy them, fresh might be best. But a good IQF (individually quick frozen) scallop might be superior to a "fresh" supermarket scallop that's five days old.

What state is known for scallops? ›

Florida is a very popular scalloping spot due to the large amount of scallops that inhabit the coastal regions of the state as well as it being one of, if not the only place where one can go scalloping.

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

You want a hot skillet when pan-searing scallops.

If they aren't sizzling when you place them in the pan, it isn't hot enough. You can always test the heat with one scallop and adjust from there. If you pat the scallops dry, dust them with flour, and use a hot pan, you will guarantee a beautiful golden brown sear.

Why do they soak scallops in milk? ›

Scallops are fairly easy to prepare, with some recipes calling for them to be first soaked in milk. Soaking scallops in milk is a way to tenderize them and remove any fishy odor.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

Soaking scallops in milk can help remove any unwanted fishy odor or impurities, resulting in a milder and cleaner flavor. This is especially helpful when working with frozen scallops or those with a stronger scent.

Are Costco scallops real scallops? ›

Product Details

These scallops are among the largest wild caught scallops. They are hand shucked at sea and quickly frozen to ensure Grade A quality with no added chemicals to preserve their water content.

Why are scallops so expensive? ›

As they say, you get what you pay for, and the price of scallops varies based on how they're harvested. Diver scallops are considered the rarest and, therefore, the most expensive on the market because they're harvested manually from the ocean floor, which ensures a superior product.

How many scallops per person? ›

Scallops can be expensive and don't reheat well, so budget for the exact amount you need. We generally count 3–4 large scallops per person. Like shrimp, scallops vary in size; many stores will provide a count per pound, which you can use to estimate how many scallops you'll need.

What's in Millionaire's salad? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling.
  2. 1 (8 ounce) carton Cool Whip.
  3. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.
  4. 1 (16 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained.
  5. 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges.
  6. 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
  7. 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  8. 1 cup mini marshmallows.

What are the three keys to a quality salad? ›

The three keys to ensuring a quality salad are use high quality iceberg lettuce, blend the ingredients together, and make sure the salad focuses on two main ingredients. 2. The four basic parts to any salad are the base, body, garnish, and dressing.

What should the garnish on the salad be? ›

Garnishes for Salads

Vegetables (fresh or cooked), fruits (fresh or dried), cheese, proteins (meat, poultry, and fish), croutons, nuts, and seeds are options. Sprouts, flowers, and micro shoots are also possibilities.

Which country has the best scallops? ›

There are few seafood delicacies more prized than delicate, meaty scallops, and for good reason. Those found off the coast of Japan are among the world's most coveted – we find out why and explore ways to cook them.

What country produces the best scallops? ›

Introduction. China leads the world in scallop aquaculture. Scallops are among the most valuable marine resources in China. Scallops support a major aquaculture industry that is important to economies of the coastal regions of China.

Where do the best tasting scallops come from? ›

Bay scallops are sweeter, more tender, and typically used in seafood stews and casseroles. They're only found on the east coast in bays and harbors.

Where do the best scallops come from? ›

The best sea scallop are off the coast of Maine. The most common way is mechanical harvesting where they drag the bottom of the ocean, with ocean trawlers.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6260

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.