What Meat Goes with Scallops? 11 Best Meats

Knowing what meat goes with scallops can be the key to making a truly amazing dish.

After all, scallops are such a delicate and flavorful seafood.

They deserve to be paired with a meat that will complement their taste and texture.

So if you are wondering ‘what meat goes with scallops‘, then you are in the right place.

I’m sharing 11 of the best meats to serve with scallops including chicken, bacon, pork, beef, and more.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these meats a try the next time you make scallops!

See Also:

• 20 Best Sauces for Scallops
• Scallops Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Scallops

What Meat Goes with Scallops? 11 Best Meats

Yes, you can serve multiple meats with scallops.

See Also: What Wine Goes with Scallops? 11 Best Wines

But not all meats are created equal.

You want a meat that is going to complement the delicate flavor of the scallops without overpowering them.

At the same time, you don’t want a meat that is going to be lost in the flavor of the scallops.

Fortunately, there are a number of great meats that pair well with scallops.

Here are 11 of the best meats to serve with scallops:

1. Chicken

Chicken is lean, versatile, and easy to cook, making it a great option for a quick weeknight meal.

When paired with scallops, it makes for a healthy and balanced dish.

Scallops are delicate and have a sweet flavor, so they pair well with chicken.

1. To make this dish, simply pan fry the chicken and scallops in some olive oil.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve with your favorite sides.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can cook the chicken and scallops in the same pan. Just be sure to cook the chicken all the way through before adding the scallops.

2. Bacon

Who doesn’t like bacon?

It’s salty, it’s savory, it’s crispy… need I say more?

When you pair bacon with scallops, you get the best of both worlds.

The bacon adds a smoky flavor to the delicate scallops, and the fat from the bacon helps to keep the scallops moist.

Pro Tip: When cooking bacon, put it on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This way, the bacon doesn’t sit in its own grease and gets nice and crispy.

3. Pork

Pork comes in many different forms, from chops to bacon to ham, and can be cooked in a variety of ways.

It’s a versatile meat that pairs well with scallops, especially when it is grilled or roasted.

When serving pork with scallops, I like to keep the sides simple so that the pork and scallops are the stars of the dish.

A few roasted potatoes and a green salad are all you need.

Pro Tip: If you’re grilling pork chops, try marinating them in a combination of apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. This will give them tons of flavor and help to tenderize the meat.

4. Beef

Beef also comes in many different cuts, from the lean and tender filet mignon to the hearty and flavorful ribeye.

No matter what your preference is, there’s a beef cut out there for you.

When it comes to scallops, I think that beef pairs well with them because of the contrast in textures.

The scallops are soft and delicate, while the beef is firm and hearty.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a leaner option, go for a filet mignon. If you’re looking for something with more flavor, go for a ribeye.

5. Lamb

Lamb is sort of fancy (and therefore, intimidating) but it’s actually a really easy meat to cook.

It’s also really versatile – lamb chops can be pan-fried, grilled, or roasted; ground lamb can be used in burgers or meatballs; and lamb shanks make for a great stew.

But my favorite way to prepare lamb is with scallops.

Scallops are quick-cooking and pair well with the rich flavor of lamb.

1. I like to sear the scallops in a hot pan until they’re nice and browned, then set them aside on a plate.
2. I’ll add some chopped garlic and onions to the same pan, followed by cubed lamb.
3. Once the lamb is cooked through, I’ll add in some tomato sauce and seasonings, then put the scallops back in right at the end.

Pro Tip: When searing scallops, make sure that your pan is HOT before adding any oil or butter. This will help you get a nice sear on the outside without overcooking the inside.

6. Duck

I know this sounds like an odd combination, but bear with me.

The rich, gamey flavor of duck pairs perfectly with the delicate sweetness of scallops.

And there’s no better way to enjoy this dish than by pan-searing the scallops and serving them over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.

Pro Tip: To get evenly cooked scallops, make sure they’re dry before you start cooking them. Pat them down with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

7. Lobster

Lobster (no surprise here) is amazing with scallops.

The two seafood staples are often found together on restaurant menus, and there’s a good reason why.

The sweetness of the lobster pairs perfectly with the delicate flavor of scallops.

If you’re looking to impress your guests (or yourself), try serving them with a simple garlic-lemon butter sauce.

Pro Tip: When cooking scallops, make sure they have a nice sear on the outside before taking them off the heat. Otherwise, they’ll be rubbery instead of tender and juicy.

8. Ham

I bet you didn’t know you could serve ham with scallops, but it’s actually a really great pairing!

The sweetness of the scallops pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the ham.

Plus, both ham and scallops are quick-cooking proteins, so they’re perfect for a weeknight meal.

1. To make this dish, simply sear some scallops and slice up some ham.
2. Serve with a simple side salad or some roasted veggies.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cooked ham from the deli counter. Just be sure to slice it thinly so that it heats through quickly when you sear the scallops.

9. Turkey

Turkey reminds me of chicken (it’s white meat, it’s lean), but it has a bit more flavor in my opinion.

When I’m feeling like I need a break from chicken but still want something light and healthy, turkey is my go-to.

Scallops are the perfect complement to turkey because they’re also light and have a delicate flavor.

Plus, they cook quickly so you can have this meal on the table in no time.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure how to cook scallops, sear them in a pan with some olive oil over medium-high heat. They’ll be ready in just a few minutes!

10. Salmon

Of course, we can’t forget about salmon!

Salmon is another excellent choice to pair with scallops, and for a lot of the same reasons as pork tenderloin.

Salmon is also a fairly neutral-tasting meat, so it won’t compete with the delicate flavor of the scallops.

It’s also a rich source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a heart-healthy meal.

Pro Tip: When cooking salmon, be sure not to overcook it. Salmon should be cooked until it is just barely opaque in the center. Any longer and it will become dry and tough.

11. Shrimp

Shrimp is great in pretty much any form, but it especially pairs well with scallops.

When you’re shopping for shrimp, look for wild-caught shrimp that has been peeled and deveined.

This will save you some time when you’re getting ready to cook.

1. To prepare the shrimp, I like to season them with a little bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Then, I cook them in a skillet over medium heat until they’re pink and slightly charred around the edges.
3. For the scallops, I like to season them with salt and pepper before cooking them in the same skillet as the shrimp.
4. I cook them for about 2 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.

To serve, I like to put the shrimp and scallops over a bed of rice or quinoa and top with a simple sauce made of olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can use frozen shrimp that has been thawed. Just be sure to pat the shrimp dry before cooking so that they don’t release too much water into the pan.