Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe (2024)

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An intimate and thoughtful dinner doesn’t have to be just for special occasions – people love to be treated to a surprise, and we think this dish is an awesome way of giving them that moment. That’s because, unlike most “fancy” dinners, this dish keeps things super simple.

Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe (1)

You’ll be creating a miniature version of a surf n’ turf with just enough to serve two people. Although the ingredients listed can be a bit pricey, it isn’t so over the top that you’ll break the bank with it.

The best part? This is a one-pot prep dish with clear and simple instructions – a great recipe to try if you’re new to home cooking and want to give someone special an unexpected meal!

When you’re selecting the ingredients for this dish, just remember – to focus on quality and value over what’s cheap and easy to find. Beef tenderloin is delicious, but a subpar cut can make or break how this dish turns out.

The same is true for the scallops you buy. Make sure to use the larger sea scallops since these are much better for pan-frying. For scallops, whether to buy fresh or frozen depends on your location: The closer to the coast, the more likely fresh is the better option.

To keep your meal special, don’t forget to pair this main course with an elegant side. Some great choices are this Spinach and Caramelized Onion Salad or this Ratatouille Stuffed Zucchini dish. To make things extra special, take a look at our dessert recipes and pick one to end things with (we really love the Chocolate-Coconut Bites – elegant but simple).

Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe

Serves: 2 Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min

Ingredients

  • 2 beef tenderloin steaks
  • 8 to 10 sea scallops
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup dry white wine or stock
  • ¼ cup ghee
  • 2 tbsp. fresh basil, minced
  • 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • Cooking fat
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Melt some cooking fat in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season the steaks to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Add steaks to skillet and brown on both sides (3 to 5 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat to medium, add in the garlic and shallot, and cook until fragrant (1 to 2 minutes).
  5. Add the ghee and mix well.
  6. Pour in the white wine and cook until reduced by half.
  7. Add the fresh basil, parsley, and lemon juice; baste the steak with the ghee-wine sauce.
  8. Add in the scallops and cook on both sides while basting.
  9. Sprinkle the scallops with lemon zest and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Serve the steaks and scallops with the remaining sauce poured on top.

📖 Recipe

Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe (3)

Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe

A surf n' turf dish might sound intimidating, but this mini version keeps things simple while still impressing!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 people

Calories 629 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt some cooking fat in a skillet over medium-high heat.

    Cooking fat

  • Season the steaks to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

    2 beef tenderloin steaks, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Add steaks to skillet and brown on both sides (3 to 5 minutes).

  • Reduce heat to medium, add in the garlic and shallot, and cook until fragrant (1 to 2 minutes).

    4 garlic cloves, 1 shallot

  • Add the ghee and mix well.

    ¼ cup ghee

  • Pour in the white wine and cook until reduced by half.

    ¼ cup dry white wine or stock

  • Add the fresh basil, parsley, and lemon juice; baste the steak with the ghee-wine sauce.

    2 tbsp. fresh basil, 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, 2 tbsp. lemon juice

  • Add in the scallops and cook on both sides while basting.

    8 to 10 sea scallops

  • Sprinkle the scallops with lemon zest and season with salt and pepper to taste.

    1 tsp. lemon zest

  • Serve the steaks and scallops with the remaining sauce poured on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 629kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 59gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 373mgPotassium: 1155mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2030IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 6mg

Keyword scallop, scampi, steak

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Scampi Steaks And Scallops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you soak scallops in before cooking? ›

Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can serve as a tenderizing agent, help eliminate mild fish odor, and aid in removing sand or grit.

Which cooks faster scallops or shrimp? ›

Add the seafood of your choice: For the shrimp, saute for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. For the scallops, saute 3-5 minutes, or until scallops turn opaque. Once the seafood is cooked through, remove to a plate and cover.

Should you rinse scallops before frying? ›

Give your scallops a quick rinse to remove any grit, then thoroughly pat dry with a few paper towels, as excess moisture will inhibit searing. For added insurance, you can dry your scallops in the fridge for an hour or two before cooking.

Should I salt scallops before searing? ›

Season Them Before You Cook Them: You should sprinkle your salt and pepper onto your scallops before cooking, not during or after. Use High Heat: The best pan seared scallops are cooked under high heat. Make sure your pan is fully heated and then pour in the oil.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

There is one neat trick to prevent this fishy smell and taste — soaking the scallops in milk. The milk will neutralize any fishy notes and aromas while making the flesh more tender.

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

The secret is that you just pat them dry (buy dry-packed scallops), season with salt and pepper, and put them in a hot pan coated with oil and you leave them alone. Don't touch them. Don't move them.

What is the hardest seafood to cook? ›

Luxurious seafood such as octopus and scallops are tricky to perfect as the margin between underdone and rubbery and overcooked is very narrow, they said. But it's not only expensive ingredients that chefs suggest are hard to cook at home.

Is it better to broil or pan sear scallops? ›

Generally, the best way to cook scallops is searing them. Seared scallops are cooked on the stovetop, usually in a cast iron skillet to get an excellent sear, using butter or oil to get them nice and crispy. The result is a crisp, golden brown exterior with a delicate balance of savory, tender scallops inside.

How do you cook scallops so they are not rubbery? ›

If you want your scallops to develop a nice crust (who doesn't?), most of the cooking should happen on just one side of the scallop. Once the scallops have caramelized (3–4 minutes), flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes to finish. Be careful not to overcook. When overcooked, scallops will turn rubbery and chewy.

Is it better to fry scallops in oil or butter? ›

Let that butter brown a bit. Then the scallops go in. Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioXidant. while I recommend cooking them in butter for the best Sear,you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if prefeerd.

Should scallops be at room temperature before frying? ›

Remove and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Heat a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. To check if the pan is hot enough, add a large drop of water (⅛ teaspoon) to the skillet. When you can roll it around the pan, it's ready.

What is the best oil for searing scallops? ›

What type of oil should you use to cook scallops? A light, neutral oil with a high smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil will begin to smoke immediately over high heat. Instead, reach for grapeseed oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.

How do you tell if pan seared scallops are done? ›

Scallops are quick-cooking shellfish, so it's key not to overcook them or they'll dry out. Generally, sea scallops take between 3 and 5 minutes to cook. How to know when scallops are done cooking? They'll be golden brown on both sides, just-firm at the edges and opaque and succulent in the center.

Why won't my scallops sear? ›

High Heat – Make sure your skillet or griddle is fully heated. If added too early the scallops will stick the pan. The oil should be slightly bubbling and dancing. If the pan isn't hot enough, you will steam the scallops instead of searing them.

What are scallops soaked in? ›

Wet scallops are treated with a solution of water and sodium tripolyphosphate, or STPP, which preserves them as soon as they are harvested at sea. Then they're often frozen. This preserves them, but it also helps them to hold on to a lot more water weight. Dry scallops are scallops that are not treated in this way.

Why do you soak scallops in salt water? ›

Brining helps to even out the flavor of wet scallops while removing the chemical taste from the STP, explains A Couple Cooks, who recommends mixing 4 cups of room temperature water with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and letting the scallops sit in the mixture for 10 minutes.

Do you have to soak scallops in milk? ›

Though it may sound like an odd pairing at first, milk can help you get the best results from your scallops. According to Livestrong.com, the milk will neutralize any fishy notes and aromas while also making the flesh more tender.

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