How to Cook Scallops Wrapped in Bacon

Bacon wrapped scallops make for a perfect culinary surf n’ turf duo. This classy seafood dish is not only elegant and delicious, but surprisingly simple to make. We will demonstrate how to cook scallops wrapped in bacon with a mere five ingredients and eight simple steps.

You want to make sure to get the freshest sea scallops possible. You can check to see if they are fresh by smelling them before purchasing; there shouldn’t be any sour, fishy odor or slimy texture. Frozen sea scallops will suffice if fresh is not an option. If preparing from frozen, you will need to thaw them in the fridge overnight.

Step #1. Prepare Ingredients

• 4 medium size scallops
• 4 bacon strips
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 2 tbsp. parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Toothpicks

Step #2. Pat Scallops Dry

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Pat the scallops using a paper towel to remove the excess moisture.

Step #3. Partially Cook Bacon

Place the bacon strips on a baking sheet with foil and bake them for 5 minutes, just so they start losing a bit of the grease and they are easier to handle. Let them cool until you can handle them.

Step #4. Wrap Bacon Strips Around Scallops

Wrap each scallop with one bacon strip and close it with a toothpick.

Step #5. Bake Scallops for 10 Minutes

Season the scallops with salt and pepper and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake them for around 10 minutes or until they are tender and opaque and the bacon is cooked through.

Step #6. Make Garlic Butter Sauce

Chop the garlic cloves. Add the chopped garlic to the butter and mix well.

Step #7. Add Butter to Center of Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Place the scallops on a serving dish. Add the garlic butter to the center and additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.

Step #8. Serve & Enjoy

After about five minutes, the bacon strips should be cooked just enough to be able to wrap around the scallops. The scallops are best served immediately, so think about timing if serving with a side dish.

The possibilities of what to serve with bacon wrapped scallops are virtually endless. I love a nice well-prepared risotto and roasted root vegetables with herbs.

Another one of my favorites are brown butter Parmesan whipped mashed potatoes and maple glazed carrots. Or you could simply enjoy them as an appetizer.

What is your favorite thing to wrap bacon in?