Want to nail your next dinner party? You need to know how to make bacon-wrapped scallops! Our Test Kitchen-approved recipe comes together in four simple steps, and you won’t want to miss out on how bacon’s salty bite can complement a succulent scallop. Plus, bacon appetizers are everyone’s favorite.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops Ingredients
- Bacon strips
- Sea scallops
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh parsley
Directions
Step 1: Partially cook bacon
Place bacon strips in a large, nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat until only partially baked and not crisp, about eight minutes. Take the bacon strips off the heat and lay them down on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
Step 2: Wrap bacon around scallops
Cut each bacon strip in half lengthwise. Take one bacon half, wrap it around one scallop and secure it with a toothpick. Season each bacon-wrapped scallop with salt and pepper.
Editor’s Tip: Before wrapping scallops with bacon, dry each scallop with a paper towel, ensuring it’s not slippery.
Step 3: Sear bacon-wrapped scallops
Wipe your nonstick skillet clean. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot, add bacon-wrapped scallops in batches, gently pressing them down as you would when searing any other meat to achieve even browning. Cook for three to four minutes on each side until the scallops are firm and opaque.
Editor’s Tip: To promote browning, be sure not to overcrowd your pan. This will only steam the proteins, not sear them.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Remove from heat and discard the toothpicks. Arrange the bacon-wrapped scallops on your favorite tray and sprinkle with parsley. If these are part of a main course, we recommend serving them alongside grilled asparagus or an arugula salad. For a wine pairing, you can’t go wrong with a glass of albarino, sauvignon blanc or chardonnay!
Bacon-Wrapped Scallop Tips
Do you use fresh or frozen scallops?
The decision to buy fresh or frozen seafood depends on where you live. If you’re near the ocean, purchase locally caught fresh scallops for this recipe. If you live in a land-locked area, frozen scallops are your best bet. We often recommend buying frozen seafood.
Should you rinse fresh scallops before cooking?
No, you do not need to rinse fresh scallops. In fact, we don’t recommend washing any meat before cooking. Just make sure you cook the scallops to their food-safe temperature.
How long do you cook bacon-wrapped scallops?
Bacon-wrapped scallops cook for a total time of about 14 to 16 minutes. It usually takes around 8 minutes to par-cook the bacon and an additional six to eight minutes to cook the bacon-wrapped scallops.
Can you bake bacon-wrapped scallops?
Yes! Preheat your oven to 425°. Place bacon on a parchment-lined sheet tray and par-bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. When baking the assembled bacon-wrapped scallops, place them on a parchment-lined sheet tray and bake at 425° until scallops are opaque; about 8 to 11 minutes.
