Whole30 + Keto Seared Scallops (2024)

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by Natalie on December 20, 2020 — updated October 25, 2021 // 20 Comments »

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5 from 15 ratings

Whole30 + Keto Seared Scallops Recipe + Video – 1.2g net carbs! How to get that perfect golden brown scallop crust! Basted in garlic ghee. Paleo, low carb, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, sugar free, clean eating, real food.

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Whole30 + Keto Seared Scallops

Allllll the love for this super romantic, speedy, healthy and flavorful dinner that is perfect for a date night in.

These scallops are seared to perfection, and drizzled with a garlic ghee that you will want to drink.

Date Night In

One of the trickiest parts about eating clean keto + whole30 is missing out on date nights to restaurants. Instead, have date night at home and make these scallops, stick to your clean diet, and save a ton of money!

Once a month my mom will take the boys to her house for dinner + bath time so Shawn and I can have a date at home. These scallops are perfect to make because they come together SO fast, which leaves more time for us to talk and spend time together.

How To Sear Scallops

The best part of scallops is the crusty golden sear they get. It gives it a slight crunch and nutty flavor that balances with the sweetness of the scallops.

There are 2 secrets to getting a good crust to your scallops:

Make sure you are getting “dry scallops” that don’t have any added chemicals or solutions. This causes soggy scallops that won’t get a good crust. I get my wild caught dry scallops from Butcherbox, which I highly recommend!
Cook them in a hot cast iron skillet that has been heating up for 5 minutes over medium heat. You want to cook them for just 2 minutes per side. Then you’re left with golden brown crusted scallops with a sweet and delicate interior.

“Can I Eat Scallops on Keto + Whole30?”

Yes! Scallops are keto friendly and whole30 approved! 4 scallops only have 1 carb, so perfect for the keto diet.

To add in more healthy fats, I love cooking the scallops in lots of ghee that I infuse with garlic and baste the scallops in. Makes the most amazing sauce!

I also highly recommend serving these scallops with my whole30 + keto cauliflower rice risotto, some sauteed spinach and fresh lemon.

Watch Scallops Recipe Demo Video

If you make these scallops be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to share and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Whole30 + Keto Seared Scallops

Servings: 3

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

1.2g net carbs! How to get that perfect golden brown scallop crust! Basted in garlic ghee.

5 from 15 ratings

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Ingredients

Scallops

▢ 1 pound scallops, I get my wild, dry scallops from ButcherBox which I highly recommend!
▢ kosher salt
▢ 3 tablespoons ghee
▢ 1 clove of garlic

Serving Suggestions

▢ whole30 + keto cauliflower rice risotto
▢ sauteed spinach
▢ lemon zest + wedges of lemon

Instructions

Pat your thawed scallops completely dry with a paper towel, and let rest on a paper towel lined plate to draw out all the moisture.
Heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Season the scallops with salt.
Add the ghee to the cast iron skillet. Sear each scallop for 2 minutes on the first side without touching them. This will give you that great golden crust.
After 2 minutes, flip and cook an additional 90 seconds on the 2nd side.
Push all the scallops to 1 side of the pan. Add in a smashed clove of garlic, and tilt the pan so you can spoon all the garlicy ghee on top of the scallops for another 30 seconds.
Remove from the pan.
Serve warm drizzled with the garlic ghee pan drippings.I love serving mine with cauliflower rice risotto and sauteed spinach with some lemon zest and fresh squeezed lemon.
As always, lots of tips, FAQs and substitution info in the Recipe Notes below!

Notes

Choosing Scallops: Make sure you are buying DRY SCALLOPS. It will say this on the frozen package. Or you can check with your butcher. It shouldn't have any added solution or salt. Otherwise, they "leach out" water as they cook and don't get as crispy. Both fresh or frozen scallops work for this!

Cooking Pan: You will get the best sear in a cast iron skillet (what I use and love) or a stainless steel skillet. I wouldn't recommend a nonstick skillet, it won't form a great crust.

Ghee Substitute: If you're ok with dairy, this is even better with grass fed butter! Olive oil would work too, but not give it that nutty flavor you get from ghee/butter.

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Author: Natalie

Calories: 98, Total Carbs: 1.2g, Protein: 3.8g, Fat: 8.8g, Fiber: 0g, Net Carbs: 1g

Did you make this recipe?Please Leave a comment and give this recipe a rating!

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posted by Natalie on December 20, 2020

20 Comments / Leave a Comment »

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20 Comments on “Whole30 + Keto Seared Scallops”

Stephanie Hernandez — July 21, 2023 @ 12:52 pm Reply

Wow! So simple and soo tasty! Loved it!
- Natalie — August 8, 2023 @ 2:31 pm Reply
  
  Thank you, Stephanie! I am so glad you liked this recipe!
Lissette — August 17, 2021 @ 4:29 pm Reply

I made these scallops and they were AMAZING! I could never get that golden sear! Thanks so much!
- Natalie — August 21, 2021 @ 2:04 pm Reply
  
  Hi Lissette! That makes me so happy! I am so glad you like my scallops recipe!
Mary Pace — December 20, 2020 @ 9:16 am Reply

Yum.
- Natalie — December 20, 2020 @ 11:47 am Reply
  
  So glad you liked them Mary!
jessica — January 6, 2020 @ 6:05 pm Reply

made this tonight w/the spinach and cauliflower risotto – DELICIOUS!!! omg we kept repeating how good for the whole meal ?
didn’t take a picture bc they didn’t sear nicely for some reason, but they tasted amazing! thx for such a good recipe – the risotto was out of this world!
oh, about the cashew cream – i don’t have a vitamix so i used my food processor. it worked, but it took awhile, and it was still a little grainy after more than ten minutes, tasted great in the risotto but i wonder if that’s how the texture is supposed to be? and if not, should i soak them longer? or is the vitamix really what i need?
- Natalie — January 6, 2020 @ 9:39 pm Reply
  
  Making the cashew cream in a food processor would probably give it a bit of a grainy texture Jessica. The Vitamix gives it a very creamy and smooth texture because it is so high powered. You could try soaking the cashewslonger, but ultimately you may want to invest in a Vitamix. They really are wonderful.
Kimberly — November 14, 2019 @ 1:14 pm Reply

Haven’t made this yet, but it looked so good I went in and switched up my butcher box! Can’t wait to get my scallops and try this. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked scallops at home, only eaten them in restaurants, so wish me luck!
- Natalie — November 14, 2019 @ 7:56 pm Reply
  
  Kimberly – you will LOVE these! Especially since you got the scallops from Butcher Box. They are very tasty! Good luck and you must let me know how they turn out!
Jody — November 9, 2019 @ 5:11 pm Reply

I made this with Tastes Lovely’s cauliflower risotto and the spinach with lemon zest- super easy meal to make and it was a BIG hit!
- Natalie — November 13, 2019 @ 7:28 pm Reply
  
  Yum! Sounds like the best dinner every Jody! I am so glad it was a hit!
Liz — November 5, 2019 @ 11:31 am Reply

This recipe is so easy and incredible. It feels super fancy but its easy to pull together fast. My husband usually hates scallops but loved this recipe.
- Natalie — November 9, 2019 @ 4:31 pm Reply
  
  It does feel so fancy making scallops Liz. I am so glad these were hubby approved!
Marilyn — November 4, 2019 @ 7:50 pm Reply

I made the scallops & spinach. So fast & easy! The scallops were better than I’ve had in a restaurant. My family loved this meal. I didn’t have the ingredients for the risotto but plan to make that soon. Thanks for making our week night dinner extra special. Love all your recipes!
- Natalie — November 8, 2019 @ 8:04 pm Reply
  
  I’m so pleased that you liked these! I think they do taste better that from a restaurant. I am so glad your family enjoyed them.
Morgan — November 4, 2019 @ 3:56 pm Reply

Scallops are some of my all time favorite food & these did not disappoint! My husband (who never ate seafood growing up…with the exception of fried catfish which doesn’t count lol) LOVED these!! I am always scared to undercook/overcook scallops but I followed your steps and they came out PERFECT! This recipe is going to be on our “date night in” rotation! Thank you!!
- Natalie — November 7, 2019 @ 8:05 pm Reply
  
  Hi Morgan – I so agree! Cooking scallops used to make me really nervous. Once you learn the technique they are really very simple and foolproof! They are always seem so fancy to me, the perfect date night meal. I am so happy you liked them!
Abby — November 4, 2019 @ 1:54 pm Reply

Scallops are one of my favorite foods out to eat. But I’ve always viewed them as a “chef only food”. I made these for a date night and we were so impressed with how perfect they came out! Thank you for the confidence!
- Natalie — November 6, 2019 @ 8:19 pm Reply
  
  Hi Abby! I am so glad you liked the scallops! I too used to be wary of making scallops. Who knew the technique is so simple? These really do turn out perfect every time!