Beef Bacon Wrapped Scallops (Print Version)

Sea scallops wrapped in beef bacon with a lemon butter drizzle, pan-seared and oven-baked.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Seafood & Meats

01 - 12 large sea scallops, cleaned and patted completely dry
02 - 12 slices beef bacon

→ Seasonings

03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Lemon Butter Sauce

06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

→ Other

11 - 12 toothpicks, soaked in water for 10 minutes
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Season both sides of each scallop generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
03 - Wrap each seasoned scallop with one slice of beef bacon, securing firmly with a water-soaked toothpick.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
05 - Place scallops in the hot skillet and sear for 2 minutes per side until the bacon is browned and crispy.
06 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until scallops are opaque throughout and bacon is crisp.
07 - While scallops bake, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
08 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley. Remove from heat immediately.
09 - Remove scallops from the oven, carefully discard toothpicks, and drizzle generously with the lemon butter sauce. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef bacon adds a deeper, smokier flavor that perfectly balances the sweet scallops
  • That lemon butter sauce ties everything together with restaurant-quality elegance
  • You get impressive results with just 30 minutes of actual work
02 -
  • Damp scallops will never sear properly, so use paper towels to remove every bit of moisture
  • Letting the scallops rest for two minutes after removing from the oven keeps them juicy
  • Beef bacon cooks differently than pork, so watch closely to prevent overcooking the scallops inside
03 -
  • Preheat your pan for at least three minutes before adding the scallops for the best sear
  • Let the lemon butter sauce cool slightly before drizzling so it coats rather than runs off
  • Serve immediately, as scallops lose their magic texture as they sit

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