Pan Seared Scallops with Caramel Orange Sauce
This exquisite recipe for Pan Seared Scallops with Caramel Orange Sauce is a gourmet recipe you can easily make at home! It does not disappoint!
The simple sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice and wine glaze accentuated the sweetness of these fresh, succulent scallops. This is a restaurant-worthy seared scallops recipe you can serve to company!
Why You Must Make
- This recipe comes from cookbook writer extraordinaire, Dorie Greenspan.
- The sweet caramel orange sauce accentuates the sweet succulent sea scallops.
- You’ll dazzle any dinner guests with this easy approachable recipe. Cooking scallops is a breeze with this recipe.
- Cooking scallops is a breeze with this easy, approachable recipe!
Recipe Tips
- Use the larger sea scallops, not bay scallops.
- Get to know your fishmonger to get advice on what seafood is freshest.
- Look for scallops that are white, creamy, or pale pink. They shouldn’t smell fishy and they should not feel sticky.
- Make sure you don’t overcook your scallops or the texture will be rubbery. Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure. Check the frequently asked questions below for the internal temperature you should aim for.
- Watch your caramel sauce carefully as you cook it. Cook the sugar until it’s a caramelly color, and be very careful when adding the liquids as the molten hot mixture will sputter and spurt!
How to Sear Sea Scallops
Bill has tried scallops a few times in the past and he’s still not a fan. So I got the whole batch to myself. Sometimes there are perks to having a picky hubby. Can you imagine picking a peanut butter sandwich over this succulent seafood? Well, me neither! There are a few simple steps to this recipe, so it’s even nice on a weeknight.
- First, place the scallops between paper towels. The drier they are, the better they’ll sear.
- Then make the easy caramel sauce by melting the sugar in a pan, and once it browns, add the wine and orange juice. It will bubble and splash so be careful. Keep stirring over high heat until it’s reduced by half. Keep it over low heat while you cook the scallops.
- Season the top of each scallop with salt and white pepper (using black is fine in a pinch).
- Sear the scallops in a hot pan (use high heat) with a bit of olive oil. The centers should change from translucent to opaque, but be careful not to overcook or they may get rubbery.
- Once the scallops are cooked, remove them to a serving plate, turn up the heat under the sauce to make sure it’s warm, then remove from the heat and swirl in the butter.
- Serve the scallops warm and drizzled with sauce. Pass extra sauce at the table.
- Dorie recommends eating these on the day they’re cooked since reheating can overcook the scallops. I have rewarmed them gently and not been disappointed with the leftovers. 2 days in the fridge should be the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bay Scallops are seasonal, peaking in the fall. They are found off the East coast. The meat is light beige to pink, and they are tender and a touch sweeter than sea scallops. But the flavors are similar. They are best poached or used in a quick saute.
Sea Scallops are sweet, less delicate in texture, and chewier. They come from the cold, deep seawater and are available all year long. They’re nice grilled, sauteed, or poached.
Look for “dry scallops” for the best quality. Wet scallops have been soaked in a polyphosphate solution that plumps them up, but the flavor is diluted and the taste is inferior.
Sea scallops should take only about 2 minutes per side, or 3-4 minutes total, to cook in a hot pan. You can always cut into one of your scallops after cooking each side on high for about 2 minutes. As mentioned above, the inside should not look raw, but opaque.
To take out the guesswork, use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should be 115-120º. This allows for carry-over cooking time to bring the scallops up to the goal temperature of 130º.
To get that extra boost in their internal temperature, remove the scallops from the pan onto a serving dish, and cover them with foil for 5-10 minutes. Recheck the temperature if desired and serve immediately.
You May Also Like:
- Rainbow Salmon Skewers from The View from Great Island
- Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
- Grilled Shrimp Scampi
- Grilled Fish Tacos
- Sea Bass with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
- More Delicious Seafood Recipes
Scallops Recipe with Caramel Orange Sauce
A quick, elegant way to prepare scallops.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1/2 cup of dry white wine
- Juice of 1 large orange - generous 1/3 cup
- 1 pound of sea scallops
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground white pepper, for taste
- 1 tablespoon cold butter, cut into 3 pieces
Instructions
- Sprinkle the sugar into a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-high heat and warm the sugar until it starts to melt.
- As soon as you see it turn brown, begin to gently swirl the pan. When the sugar has turned a deep caramel color, carefully add the white wine and orange juice. It may bubble and spatter, so watch out.
- Turn the heat up to high, stir with a wooden spoon, and boil the sauce until it is reduced by half (about 1/3 cup). Remove the pan from heat and set it aside.
- Pat the scallops dry between two paper towels. Slice or pull off the little muscle attached to the sides of the scallops. Have a warm serving platter and a small strainer at the ready.
- Put the saucepan with the caramel sauce over very low heat so that it can warm while you cook the scallops.
- Heat a heavy skillet on high. When the pan is hot, pour in 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
- Add the scallops, season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, per side or until the scallops are firm on the outside and opaque in the center
- Transfer the scallops to the serving platter.
- Finish the sauce by removing the pan from the heat and adding the butter pieces. Swirl the pan until the butter is melted.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper, then pour through the strainer into a pitcher. Drizzle some of the sauce over the scallops and pass the rest at the table.
Notes
Recipe from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan.
Make sure to look for the larger sea scallops not bay scallops.
If you'd like to use a thermometer to monitor doneness, pull the scallops out of the pan when they reach about 115-120°. There will be some carryover cooking that will bring them up another 10°.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 963mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 24g
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49 Comments on “Pan Seared Scallops with Caramel Orange Sauce”
Thanks, everyone! Truly a winner this week 🙂
Liz, this looks and sounds delicious!! Beautiful pictures.
Happy Weekend-
Patti
Your scallops look just like the picture in the book, only I like your plate better! Glad you found a new favorite.
Oh my, don’t these look amazing. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I actually liked scallops. Although, I know they need to be cooked just right.
BTW, I have an award for you on my site. Your such an inspiration Lizzy. Your a funny gal with amazing cooking skills. I appreciate that.
Oh Lizzy – why do you torture me so? I’m dying over here on this side of the computer screen!!
🙂
ButterYum
Love the way you plated your scallops…the orange slice adds such a nice touch! I agree, definitely a favorite! Lovely photos!
I am definitely going to have to try this recipe again!
Hi! I just found your blog and I love it! There are so many recipes I can’t wait to make! Especially your Orange Pull-Apart Coffee Cake! Yum! Thanks for the inspiration!
They look perfect! I like the close up shoot because I can imagine it heading for my mouth, hehe.
Love, love, love your plating! And love that you so adore this recipe! I agree this is a restaurant quality recipe.
It’s neat how many in the group served the scallops with asparagus. Spring is still far ahead of us in the north. Your dish looks very tasty.
I love scallops and this sauce sounds fantastic! Your presentation is beautiful!
Ah I loved these too! Already planning on serving them at an upcoming dinner party!
Super presentation we just love seared scallops!
I loved how tender these came out. And that sauce had a really nice flavor to it. Love the pop of the asparagus against the dish.
Yummy…. dinner tonight?
So pretty with the asparagus! (Can’t wait for asparagus season to get here.) Well done!
Looks so tender and succulent! The caramel orange sauce is just like icing on the cake!
Your scallops look great–as always!
Your scallops (and entire dish) look absolutely amazing! Great post!