What do scallops taste like? - The complete guide

In the world of food, there are many different flavors. Regardless of what you prepare, you’ll find that sometimes the flavor can vary greatly just because of the spices and seasonings you’ve used.

The cooking method, as well as the quality and type of item you buy, can always influence the taste.

If you’re one of those people who sometimes has a hard time trying new things, it’s always a good idea to have some expectation of the flavor you’re going to experience when you try it.

Scallops, and other forms of shellfish, often fall into the category of foods that people always ask “what does this taste like?”

So what do scallops taste like?  Scallops taste very similar to crab and lobster. The flavor itself is subtle, light and sweet, with a little hint of nuttiness, similar to that of almonds or hazelnuts. There may also be some saltiness or shine from the brine the scallops came in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through an overview of what scallops taste like.

We’ll cover some different options and details that can also have a direct effect on the flavor of your scallops and let you know what to expect if you decide to try them.

Stay with us to find out what scallops taste like and much more.

What do scallops taste like?

Many people reject any type of shellfish because they assume that if it is from the sea or ocean, it will taste like fish.

While it’s true that some things can taste fishy, you may be surprised to find that things like scallops and other foods in this category don’t usually taste fishy.

One of the really unique things about scallops is that they are really light in flavor.

In addition to the light flavor, they readily absorb flavor, so if you cook them with butter or sauce and spices, they’ll quickly and easily pick up those flavors.

You may notice a slight hint of saltwater or salty taste, but know that the actual flavor of scallops is quite mild overall. It can be incredibly difficult to describe a flavor without having something to compare it to.

However, if you can picture the flavors in your head, you’ve come to the right place, as we’re going to fully break down scallop flavor for you, and perhaps also answer some questions and misperceptions about scallop flavor.

So what do scallops taste like? The easiest way to explain the taste is to simply say that they are mild in flavor and comparable to the flavor and texture of shellfish such as crab or lobster.

Of course, that’s not helpful if you haven’t tried crab or lobster, right?

The flavor itself is not something that stands out drastically. The mild flavor gives you a lot of freedom in preparing the scallops and trying to really get the flavor you want out of them.

In general, the flavor is only slightly nutty, with a hint of flavor like that of an almond or hazelnut. 

Now, if you put a scallop in your mouth expecting it to taste almondy, you’re going to be disappointed.  It only has a note of this nutty flavor as part of the overall flavor.

Keep in mind that the flavor itself is quite mild, but it can be enhanced in many ways.

Almost more important than the initial taste itself is the texture. The texture is buttery and tender , making it enjoyable as part of a dish or simply cooked and eaten on its own as well.

Again, if you’ve ever tasted or even seen cooked crab and lobster, the texture is very comparable. The scallops are slightly firmer, but still very tender.

Many people say that scallops taste very similar to shrimp or lobster. The taste is smooth but succulent and even a bit sweet too.

The scallop is a mollusk, which is part of the shellfish family, so it is easier to relate it to other members of the shellfish family, in terms of the description of flavors.

However, in addition to the qualities that make scallops resemble things like shrimp or lobster, they are usually slightly sweeter, hence that nutty touch.

They are sometimes called “the candy of the sea” because of their sweet taste.

types of scallops

Not all scallops taste exactly the same, because there are actually different types of scallops.

Each type has something unique that changes the taste and appearance, so this can easily confuse people if they were expecting a specific flavor and end up with a different flavor.

The 3 main types of scallops are as follows

• bay scallops
• sea scallop
• calcareous scallops

Bay scallops are perhaps one of the most popular varieties. These scallops are known for their sweet flavor and are the sweetest of the scallop options.

These particular scallops are seasonal and have unique migration patterns that make them harder to come by at times.

Bay scallops migrate and are caught mainly between October and March of each year . This does not mean that you can never buy them during the rest months, but if you want them fresh, these are the ideal periods.

This type of scallop is more commonly found in the bay, unlike sea scallops. Bay scallops are also known to be quite small compared to other types of scallops.

Scallops can cook quickly and are absolutely delicious when sautéed in butter or poached . You have to treat them with care.

Then there are the sea scallops. Although many people like bay scallops, sea scallops are the most common type and also the easiest to get. They are found in the sea and are not seasonal like the bay scallop.

Sea scallops are also usually quite a bit larger than bay scallops, sometimes nearly three times as large in total size. They are not as sweet as bay scallops, but the flavors are similar overall.

Scallops tend to be stronger and more durable, so they don’t have to be handled as delicately for cooking or even picking.

They are not as tender as bay scallops and can be slightly chewy. The meat is slightly sweet, but less than that of scallops. They also cook quickly and easily.

Lastly, the least common type of scallop is the calico scallop. They are also very seasonal and can be rare and hard to find. They come from the South Atlantic area and traditionally are best from December to May.

They are much more difficult to collect and also to obtain the meat.

In terms of size and flavor, the calico scallop is comparable to the bay scallop, although it is not as sweet.

It is small and the textures and sizes are almost identical. Calico scallops are typically sweet, but slightly less sweet, more comparable to the sweetness of sea scallops as a whole. These scallops come from deep waters in certain regions.

What do scallops look like?

Scallops come from the inside of a sea shell. When you see those beautiful shells that come from the sea, think that at some point they housed a living being inside.

Seashells (not mussels) contain this meat at their heart, and when you open them up, you get a scallop from the center.

Most of the time when you buy scallops, they are not on the shell . They have been fished and harvested and you simply get the meat of the scallop that is prepared and safe for you to cook and eat.

When you remove the meat from that fan-shaped shell that protects the muscle and meat, you get a small, round piece of meat that we know and understand as a scallop.

The scallop meat is quite small, even for scallops.

You will see that the piece of meat from a scallop will be between 1 and 3 inches in diameter. They can also be up to 1 inch thick. So imagine the size of a quarter, but thick and almost fluffy.

As for the coloration of a scallop, you can expect to see a range of colors. There really is a wide range and they are all good colors.

The colors vary based on things like whether the scallop is male or female, but also where it is located and whether or not it is spawning. 

The color range includes white, off-white, light tan, rosy pink, and orange. The orange will not be a bright shade of orange, but rather a tinge of orange like you see in some prawn or shrimp tails.

When it comes to its appearance, something to pay attention to is the frayed edges around the shape. This can sometimes be a sign that they have not been handled correctly or that they may be going bad.

What is the texture of a scallop?

Have you ever had problems with textures? Some people don’t eat certain foods more for their texture than for their taste. In fact, we found that food aversions are often more related to texture.

So what does scallops feel like? Are they slimy? One of the things we hear the most is that scallops are slimy and that’s why people don’t like them. However, they are not actually slugs.

When we think of slimy in relation to food, we think of sticky or thick coatings that just aren’t appetizing.

Scallops can be slightly slippery due to their smooth texture, but they should never be slimy.

When you cook them, even the slippery nature of their meat changes, so if you’re worried about a piece of food being slimy, that shouldn’t be the case with a scallop.

Raw scallops can be slippery to the touch, but they should also not have any juices or anything that makes them slimy to the touch or to the eye.

They’ll be tender and mushy, maybe a little chewy, but if they’re slimy, something’s wrong.

Do scallops taste like fish?

It is scary to eat things from the sea, especially if you consider yourself a person who does not like seafood.

The thing is, this is such a broad label that it really shouldn’t be used. There are many types of shellfish and the term should never be all-encompassing.

You may just not like fish, but don’t lump all seafood into the same category. The thing about scallops is that they don’t have any fishy flavor at all.

They sometimes have a slight briny flavor, which comes from sea salt, but they don’t taste fishy and shouldn’t even smell fishy by comparison.

If the scallops smell fishy, it may be a sign that they are old and may be spoiled. Otherwise , they should not taste or smell fishy.

Again, they may smell briny or salty, and even a little sweet, but they shouldn’t smell or taste fishy.

Do scallops and shrimp taste the same?

If you like shrimp, chances are you’ll like scallops. Although they are certainly not the same, this is the closest comparison we can make.

When it comes to flavor and texture, both shrimp and scallops tend to be rich without being overwhelmingly rich in flavor . Again, it’s light in flavor and easily soaks up things like spices and butter, making it really delicious.

Both have a smooth texture that isn’t overly chewy and both have just a hint of sweetness to the taste. They can be cooked and prepared in very similar ways and used in similar dishes.

If you are looking for the closest food to compare or relate to a scallop, shrimp is probably the most suitable.

What are scallops served with?

Scallops can be prepared in many different ways. You can poach them or sauté them with butter and garlic and other savory seasonings. You can also grill the scallops and they taste absolutely amazing.

In addition to simply preparing the scallop and serving it like this, you can also prepare it as part of a dish. There are some really great recipes and endless options if you make up your mind to try them.

If you’re serving scallops and need a good side dish option, check out these.

• Green salad with vinaigrette dressing
• Serve or prepare with butter or lemon juice
• Serve with white wine
• Add it to seafood dishes
• Serve a vegetable like spinach or Brussels sprouts
• Tuscany beans
• Lentils
• Pasta
• Polenta
• summer squash or zucchini
• Asparagus with butter and seasoned
• Wild rice
• Mashed potatoes

Honestly, the options are endless, but these should give you some inspiration.

How to tell if scallops have gone bad

Scallops can go bad, like any other food, so we thought it might also be useful to leave you with a few tips today to understand or discern if your scallops have gone bad or not.

• • Scallops have a brown hue or tinge
  • Scallops have a pungent or fishy odor
  • Scallops appear sticky or slimy
  • Scallops smell or taste like ammonia

• Scallops have frayed edges