Paleo Scallops Recipe

Last Updated on May 1, 2021 by Ellen Christian

Looking for a Paleo scallops recipe? Try these pan seared scallops and enjoy my favorite scallops dinner recipe with just a few minutes prep time.

There are so many delicious Paleo seafood recipes out there. It’s easy to try a new one almost every night. Have you made my Paleo seafood soup yet?

Or, this Paleo clam chowder is a healthy variation of a classic New England recipe. I love a big bowl for lunch on a cold day.

Paleo Scallops Recipe

I admit that I’m slightly addicted to finding new recipes.  I have a huge collection of cookbooks and I am constantly searching the internet for new recipes to try.  But, I really don’t like making the same recipes over and over again.

Finding Paleo recipes to make isn’t always easy. Sometimes they call for ingredients that I just can’t find in my grocery store. So, I fall back on a few classic recipes with easy variations to eliminate grains and dairy.

I found a Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta recipe that looked delicious.  The only problem was that it is not Paleo or gluten-free the way it is written.

So, I made a few changes to turn it into a Paleo scallops recipe we could all enjoy. Many people serve scallops over pasta which you know isn’t allowed on the Paleo diet.

But, it’s easy enough to either remove the pasta entirely or substitute zoodles or spaghetti squash instead. And, you can always serve it over a bed of lettuce if you would prefer.

What goes best with scallops?

I really enjoy steamed asparagus when I serve scallops. But, any steamed or roasted vegetables would go well with seafood. Just be sure that they aren’t served with a sauce that might overwhelm the taste of the seafood.

Can I eat scallops on keto or Paleo?

Yes, scallops are naturally low carb so they are suitable for both the Paleo and keto diets. The key is to watch what you’re adding to them. And, of course, you need to skip the pasta.

What is the best oil to cook scallops?

You need to cook with an oil that has a fairly high smoke point. A few good choices would be grapeseed, extra virgin olive oil, or safflower. Since my goal is Paleo, I opted not to use butter. But, if your goal is keto, butter would work as well.

Are frozen scallops as good as fresh?

That really depends. I’m in Vermont so “fresh” scallops are already about 5 days old when they hit my grocery store. In that case, frozen is often the best choice. 

However, if you live on the ocean where you can buy fresh scallops, then certainly get fresh.

If you’re looking for healthy scallop recipes, there is no reason why you cannot use frozen scallops if that’s what you have available.

How do you thaw frozen scallops?

The best way to thaw seafood that is frozen is to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Never leave seafood on the counter to thaw. It’s not safe.

Are scallops high in mercury?

Most of the seafood we get from the ocean has some amount of mercury in it. But, some types have less than others. 

Good choices to avoid high levels of mercury are scallops, tilapia, shrimp, oysters, and salmon.