Christmas Eve Seared Scallops

Memories of holiday gatherings from our childhood inspire us every year to make the most with the people who matter the most. Last holiday season, we learned (as did everyone else!) how precious our time together is – and how it should be savored to the last drop. With that, we’re sharing our Nana’s Christmas Eve Dinner Menu this year to inspire you to gather with your loved ones and enjoy a warm meal together. Today, we’re sharing Christmas Eve Seared Scallops, a quick, easy and flavorful dish meant to be shared with loved ones this holiday season.

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Christmas Eve Seared Scallops Recipe

This traditional Italian-American recipe is a part of a much larger meal our Nana serves on Christmas Eve based on the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a celebration of Christmas Eve to be shared with loved ones. Usually, the feast consists of baccalà (salt cod), frutti di mare (shellfish), capitone (eel), calamari (squid), scungilli (conch meat) and vongole (clams). Over the years, Nana’s crafted her own version of this, which always involves this easy Seared Scallops recipe.

The Secret to Making This Recipe

The star of this recipe is, of course, the scallops, so it’s important to choose wisely! If you’re going fresh, choose scallops that are firm and dry-looking. If your scallops are mushy and wet, it’ll affect the outcome of this recipe (and they probably aren’t very fresh). The best option is to visit a reputable seafood market and ask the market manager for their best selection; but, if you’re unable to do so, no worries! Frozen scallops work just fine, as long as the scallops are thawed properly.

What You Need to Make Christmas Eve Seared Scallops

The Ingredients

The Tools

We absolutely recommend making the switch to Caraway Home, a line of 100% toxic-free ceramic cook- and bakeware. Caraway’s pieces are beautifully designed, come in a variety of colors (we chose sage and cream!) and give you the peace of mind knowing your kitchen essentials are made from materials that actually make your kitchen healthier.

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The Decorative Serveware

How we serve our food can instantly enhance everyone’s experience. Choose serveware that invites guests to gather and pass a dish to a loved one. Serveware creates a communal experience that draws people closer, resulting in deeper relationships and more connection. Furthermore, the design and hues you choose for your serveware can elevate an occasion and add to the overall atmosphere at your gathering. For holiday gatherings, we recommend opting for muted evergreen and gold accents.

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How To Prepare Your Seared Scallops

First, begin by melting butter over medium heat.

In the meantime, remove the small side muscle from scallops. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.

When the pan is hot, add scallops, giving them enough room in between so they don’t steam each other. Cook for 2 minutes. Flip scallops over with a pair of tongs and cook until golden brown and translucent in center, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside and keep warm until ready to serve.

More Holiday Recipes

Complement your Christmas Eve Seared Scallop dish with these additional recipes from Nana’s Christmas Eve Menu. When served together, these recipes create a meal to remember and an easy reason to gather and celebrate the season together.

Hap-bee Holidays, friend!