Can You Reheat Scallops? Best Method

Scallops are shellfish that have a heavenly taste when freshly cooked. If you’ve made too many scallops and ended up with leftovers, you will not want them to go to waste.
You may be wondering if you can reheat scallops.

So can you reheat scallops? Yes, you can definitely reheat scallops. Make sure to store any leftovers properly stored in the fridge. You can keep them for up to 3 days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. Once you’re ready to eat them again, you can choose a couple of different reheating methods.

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Reheating Scallops

Reheating scallops should not be an issue. However, there are two things you should be aware of. First off, if you have any leftovers and want to keep them for later, make sure it is stored properly.

Like any other shellfish, scallops are high perishable and will get contaminated with bacteria quickly if it’s not stored properly.

The best place to stored cooked scallops is in the fridge. There are two ways to store cooked scallops in there. The shellfish must be stored in an airtight container.

Make sure the container isn’t too large for the number of scallops you’re storing. If there is too much room in the container, the air could cause the cooked scallops to deteriorate.

If an airtight container isn’t available, you can wrap scallops in aluminum foil. Place the scallops into the aluminum foil and wrap them tightly. For added protection, wrap a layer of cling film around it. This will prevent air from leaking into the foil and lock in the moisture.

Scallops that are properly stored in the fridge can be reheated and consumed within 4 days.

Secondly, scallops need to be reheated using the correct method. This shellfish is tricky when it comes to reheating them. Doing it incorrectly will leave the scallops with a rubbery texture and loss of flavor.

Additionally, not reheating the scallop to the right temperature could leave the inside still cold. This could make the scallops dangerous for consumption.

When reheating scallops, their internal temperature should be around 140 °F.

Another problem you could face is overcooking the scallops. Too much heat will eventually cause the scallops to become dry and chewy.

What Is The Best Way To Reheat Scallops?

Scallops is one of that food that you have to reheat right, or you’ll end up having to throw it away. This shellfish may burn if you keep them heated for too long.

For this reason, the best way to reheat scallops is in the oven.

Reheating Scallops In An Oven

The temperature in an oven will be evenly throughout. This means the scallops will get heated evenly from all sides, including the inside.

Here are the steps in detail to reheating scallops in the oven:

Step 1: Preheating The Oven

The oven should be preheated before placing the scallops in there. Preheat the oven to around 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Leave Scallops At Room Temperature

Remove the scallops from the fridge and let them sit on in the sink or countertop. Allow it to come to room temperature. Otherwise, the center of the scallop will remain cold while the sides start burning.

Be sure not to leave the scallops out at room temperature for too long. They should not be left for longer than 2 hours. If it’s more than that, bacteria may start to form on the scallops.

Step 3: Preparation

Place the scallops on a pan or another oven-safe dish. Spread them on the dish without the scallops touching one another. This will allow all sides of the shellfish to be heated.

Splash some water onto the scallops. The water will create steam, which will help heat them evenly without losing moisture.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil covers the entire dish and no part of it is exposed. The foil will lock in the heat and prevent the top part of the scallops from getting burnt.

Step 4: Reheating Scallops

Once the oven reaches the preheated temperature, place the dish of scallops in. Leave it scallops in there for about 15 minutes.

Check at 10 minutes to see if it’s properly heated. Using a thermometer, check the internal temperature of the scallops. If it’s around 125 degrees Fahrenheit, take them out.

If not, leave them for another 5 minutes.

Once the scallops are properly heated, take them out from the oven and serve them with your favorite dish.

Reheating Scallops On A Stovetop

The stovetop is the second-best method for reheating scallops.

Reheating the scallops in the pan or skillet will save you some time. As you are heating them, stay close to the stove to make sure the scallops don’t get burnt. It will only take them a few minutes to reheat the scallops.

Here’s how to reheat the scallops on the stovetop:

Take the scallops from the fridge and set them on the countertop. Allow it to come to room temperature.
Heat the pan on the stove at low to medium heat. Don’t use high heat, or you’ll cause the outside of the scallops to burn while leaving the inside cold.
Add a splash of water to the pan.
Place the scallops into the pan.
Cover the pan with a lid to lock in the steam.
After a few minutes, flip the scallops on the other side. This will give them a nice color on both sides. Also, it’ll make sure that both sides get heated evenly.
After about 5 minutes, use a thermometer to check the inside of the scallops. It should be around 130-140 °F. If it’s in that range, take the scallops out and enjoy.

Can You Reheat Scallops in the Microwave?

A microwave works great for reheating many foods and dishes. It saves a lot of time without having to wait for the oven to preheat or the pan to become warm.

When it comes to seafood, the microwave will not work. Avoid reheating scallops in the microwave. When microwaving them, it will not cook the scallops evenly throughout. It will overcook the outside of the scallops and leave the center cold.

Also, using the microwave to reheat scallops will cause them to become dry and rubbery.

If you have no other option but to reheat the scallop in the microwave, you’ll need to be very careful. Place the scallops onto a microwave-safe bowl. Then add a few drops of water onto each scallop. Cover the bowl with cling film to lock the steam in the bowl.

Can You Reheat Frozen Scallops?

Yes, you can definitely reheat frozen scallops.

To reheat frozen scallops, take them out from the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge first. It will take about 3-5 hours for it to thaw. Make sure it’s thawed thoroughly before reheating them.

Once it’s completely thawed, use the method above to reheat scallops.