Lemon Butter Broiled Bay Scallops

This Lemon Butter Broiled Bay Scallops Recipe is rich, flavorful, and super simple to prepare with only 4 ingredients in less than 15 minutes.  These sweet bites of seafood are fuss-free and a perfect way to enjoy a restaurant-quality taste of the sea at home.  Serve it with Grilled Asparagus in Foil and Roasted Red Baby Potatoes.

Love sea scallops? Try my Seared Scallops with Mango Salsa.

Bay Scallops Recipe

This Broiled Bay Scallops recipe with lemon butter is simple, tasty, and healthy.  The classic flavors of lemon butter, parsley, and fresh seafood will instantly transport you to your favorite beach restaurant.  Plus, you can't beat an easy dinner that is made with only 4 ingredients in less than 15 minutes.

If you've shied away from making scallops at home, this is a perfect way to start.  Bay scallops aren't as pricey as the larger sea ones, and this recipe is prepared in the oven, instead of the stove-top and searing it, making it fuss-free, fool-proof, and easy to prepare.  The result is tender, sweet bites of seafood that can be enjoyed on their own with sides like Roasted Potatoes and Parmesan Garlic Asparagus or with a salad or pasta.  These little bites are so good and are a versatile addition to your meal planning.

You can easily make this for a weeknight dinner or save it for a special occasion or dinner party, either way, it will be a hit.  Even my twins gobbled these up asking for more scallops!

What are Bay Scallops?

Don't know about bay scallops yet?  They are a fabulous way to enjoy seafood at home. Bay scallops are smaller than sea scallops and are hand-caught in shallow waters just off the coast.  Their small size makes them sweeter and more tender.  I've had them at the beach and adore them.

Bay scallops average about 100 per pound, while larger sea scallops average 30 per pound or even.  Their small size of around ½ inch allows them to cook quickly and easily.  I think they are a hidden gem that's underrated of the seafood world, especially since they cost less than large sea scallops but still have that great flavor.

They happen to be caught fresh from November to March, so check your seafood counter.  You can also find them in bags that have been flash-frozen year-round.

They are great to enjoy alone, like in this recipe or even added to pasta, salads, or seafood dishes.

They have the exact same nutritional profile as larger sea scallops and are low calories with about 71 calories per 3.5 ounces and have 12 grams of protein.

Why You'll Love this Bay Scallops Recipe...

• This Lemon Butter Broiled Bay Scallops recipe is an easy and non-overwhelming way to make scallops at home.  You don't need to sear these in a skillet.
• The little bay scallops turn out tender, sweet and so delicious.
• Scallops are a healthy and easy-to-make protein that's low in calories and high in protein.
• They can be served in so many ways including as a main course with sides or as an addition to pasta or salads.  I love it with a Kale Caesar Salad.
• There's no need to overwhelm these gorgeous tasty scallops with more ingredients like breadcrumbs, they are perfect on their own.
• This dish is pescatarian, gluten-free, keto, and low-carb.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Bay Scallops Recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Bay Scallops: Bay Scallops are small sea scallops.  If they were frozen, you'll need one pound that has been thawed and removed from the freezer.  Scallops taste best when slowly thawed out in the fridge. Rinse the scallops and pat them dry with a paper towel.  If you have fresh scallops make sure the side muscle is gone.
• Garlic: I like using fresh garlic for this recipe to get the most flavor.
• Butter: Butter and seafood go so well together.  I don't use butter in much of my cooking for health reasons, but a small amount goes a long way here to bring out the flavors of the scallops and keep them tender in the baking dish for broiling.  Scallops are very lean seafood, so a bit of fat helps them cook.  You use olive oil or dairy-free butter if you have a dairy allergy or intolerance.
• Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is another key ingredient to bring out the flavors of the bay scallops.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley is the best garnish for this.
• Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions to make this Bay Scallops Recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Preheat the oven to broil.
2. In a medium baking dish, add the melted butter, garlic, and lemon.  You'll want a dish large enough for the scallops to sit in a single layer in the lemon butter.  Mix together.
3. Place the scallops in the dish in a single layer.
4. Broil about 6 inches from the burner for 3-5 minutes or until the scallops are opaque.  Bay scallops cook quickly, especially in a broiler, and can turn rubbery if you overcook, so watch them carefully.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges and serve immediately.  Scallops lose their heat quickly, so serve quickly after preparing them.

Variations

I love this Bay Scallops recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Make Them Blackened Bay Scallops: Toss the bay scallops in some of my Homemade Blackening Seasonings before broiling.
• Add Old Bay: You can also toss them in Old Bay for a classic seafood flavor.
• Make it a Pasta: This dish has enough butter at the bottom of the pan to use with angel hair pasta or linguine as a sauce after preparing the scallops.
• Add Cheese: Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese at the end of cooking.
• Make it Extra: Add panko or bacon to the baking dish.

FAQ

Do you rinse bay scallops before cooking?

I do rinse my bay scallops before cooking and then make sure to pat them dry well with paper towels.

What goes well with bay scallops?

Bay Scallops go well with any side dishes you'd serve seafood with like shrimp.  I love serving it with potatoes and broccoli, but you can also add it to pasta or salads.  I added a list of great sides to accompany the bay scallops below.

Should I use bay scallops or sea scallops?

Both are a good option for cooking, but this recipe works great with the tiny scallops that broil quickly.  They are less expensive, cook faster, sweeter, and are easier to prepare than larger scallops.

This Boiled Bay Scallops Recipe is So Tasty

I just love this Broiled Bay Scallops recipe with lemon butter.  Eating scallops at a restaurant is the best, but don't shy away from making these delightful seafood treats at home.  I've made these for family dinners and for guests and both time they have been a hit.

Here are some delicious ways to make this a meal.

Serving Suggestions:

• Herb and Garlic Baby Red Roasted Potatoes
• Parmesan Garlic Asparagus
• Roasted Green Beans
• Grilled Asparagus in Foil
• Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
• Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
• Coconut Lime Rice
• Grilled Zucchini in Foil
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
• Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
• Creamy Gnocchi Pesto
• Lemon Pesto Pasta
• Kale Caesar Salad

More Healthy Seafood Recipes to Try:

• Seared Scallops with Mango Salsa
• Healthy Broiled Crab Cakes
• Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• Shrimp Taco Bowls
• Healthy Grilled Shrimp in Foil
• Buffalo Shrimp Skewers
• Cajun Shrimp Pasta
• Sheet Pan Shrimp Teriyaki
• Shrimp Avocado Salad
• 25+ Healthy Shrimp Recipes

If you make this Bay Scallops Recipe recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Bay Scallops Recipe with Lemon Butter

Julie Wunder

This Lemon Butter Broiled Bay Scallops Recipe is rich, flavorful, and super simple to prepare with only 4 ingredients in less than 15 minutes.  These sweet bites of seafood are fuss-free and a perfect way to enjoy a restaurant-quality taste of the sea at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Course American, Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 126 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound bay scallops
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 ½ tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 lemon, juiced
• salt & pepper
• garnish: parsley, chopped

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to broil.
• In a medium baking dish, add the melted butter, garlic, and lemon. Mix together.
• Place the scallops in the dish in a single layer.
  
• Broil about 6 inches from the burner for 3-5 minutes or until the scallops are opaque.
  
• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve imediatley.

Notes

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.  These are best enjoyed fresh but can be used for meal prep lunches or a quick and easy protein.

 

Freezing

I would not freeze the cooked bay scallops because they would turn rubbery.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 479mgPotassium: 277mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 141IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Bay Scallops, bay scallops recipe, broiled scallops

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