What do scallops taste like?
Scallops taste sweet and mild with a gentle brininess, somewhere between crab and butter, and seared ones get a nutty, golden crust over a tender, almost creamy middle.
Scallops
sweet, buttery and tender
Scallops are the round muscle a shellfish uses to open and close its shell, which is why they're so tender. They're one of the sweetest things in the sea, and mild enough for people who don't love fish. A good sear gives them a golden crust that tastes toasty and nutty, while the inside stays soft and just set. Overcooked, they turn rubbery fast. Raw, as crudo or sashimi, they're silky and sweet, almost like a firm custard.
Where you’ll see it
Seared and served on a purée or with brown butter, wrapped in bacon, raw as crudo or sashimi, tossed through pasta, or baked in the shell with garlic butter. Usually three to five to a plate, because they're pricey.
Order it if you like lobster and crab but want something even gentler and more tender.
Quick questions
- Do scallops taste fishy?
- Fresh ones don't. They're sweet, mild and lightly briny. A fishy or sour smell means they're past it.
- Why are scallops sometimes rubbery?
- They're overcooked. Scallops need only a minute or two per side; any longer and they tighten up and turn chewy.