Keto Scallops with Garlic Cream Sauce

This is the best keto scallops recipe I've ever made! Everything about these scallops is perfect: the golden-brown crust, simple yet delicious seasoning, and the creamy sauce. These scallops are the ultimate option for a quick dinner for two or even a party.

There are lots of amazing serving ideas for these keto scallops. They pair perfectly with almost anything: cauliflower rice, broccoli puree, sauteed kale, or roasted cabbage steaks. And the best part about this seared scallop recipe is that one serving contains only 4 g of carbs.

Another reason why I like this keto recipe so much is that it doesn't take too much time to make these scallops, and the recipe doesn't require many ingredients. You'll need only five main ingredients, and it'll take you around 15 minutes to make these mouthwatering scallops with the insanely delicious garlic cream sauce.

Table of Contents

• Are Scallops Keto Compatible?
• What Do Scallops Taste Like?
• Here's What You Need
• How to Cook Scallops 
• Serving Ideas
• Storing Tips
• Recipe

Are Scallops Keto Compatible?

Yes! You can definitely enjoy some scallops when following the keto diet. Scallops are rich in protein, but they don't have a high-fat content—which is why it is best to cook the scallops with a buttery sauce.

What Do Scallops Taste Like?

If you've never tasted scallops before but enjoy eating seafood, then I'm sure that you'll be happy with their taste. When you cook scallops this way, they turn out very similar to the taste of clams and oysters.

In general, they have a slightly nutty flavor, very similar to the taste of almonds. And their texture is both tender and chewy, quite similar to crab meat.

Here's What You Need

To make these keto pan-seared scallops with garlic cream sauce, you'll need only a few simple ingredients. Here's what you should prepare for this keto recipe:

• Scallops - you can buy either fresh scallions or frozen ones, it doesn't matter. But keep in mind that if you buy frozen scallops, you must thaw them before cooking. The best way to do it is to place them in a colander and, from time to time, rinse them with cold water.
• Butter - if you want to use olive oil or coconut oil, you can do so. But I still recommend you use butter for this recipe since the scallops taste the best when cooked in it.
• Garlic cloves - if you don't like garlic, you can skip this ingredient. But let me tell you the truth: when you make these keto scallops with garlic, they will taste incredibly delicious. You can either chop up the garlic or use minced garlic.
• Heavy whipping cream - since we'll be making a cream sauce for these keto scallops, adding heavy cream is a must.

And, of course, you'll need some spices to season the scallops before cooking them. My personal favorites are chili powder, salt, and pepper. I like to keep things simple when cooking scallops, so I don't add anything else to the seasoning.

Once the scallops are fully cooked, you can garnish them with some chopped fresh parsley, dill, or green onions. Also, you can pour some freshly squeezed lemon juice over the scallops before serving.

How to Cook Scallops 

Once you've gathered all of the needed ingredients, you can move on to cooking your keto garlic butter scallops. The first thing you should do is pat your scallops dry with some paper towels and season them. To do this, just place them on a cutting board. Then, first season one side, flip them over and then season the other side.

Then you should place a skillet with the butter in it over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, you can play the scallops on the skillet. The key here is to cook them for three minutes without touching them on one side and only then flip them over to the other side. 

Once you've flipped the scallops, you can add the chopped garlic and cook for three more minutes. Then you can pour in the heavy cream, lower the heat, stir the scallops, and cook for a few more minutes.

Serving Ideas

If you are in a hurry and don't have time to make anything to go with these keto creamy garlic scallops, you can just eat them as is. Or just take some keto crackers or even tortilla chips; they will taste perfectly with the scallops.

Here are some more delicious serving ideas for these low-carb scallops:

• Cauliflower rice
• Cauliflower or broccoli puree 
• Roasted cabbage steaks
• Fresh salad
• Cauliflower risotto
• Feta bread
• Keto coleslaw

Storing Tips

If you have any keto scallops leftovers, you should place them in an airtight container or wrap the plate with plastic food wrap and place it in the refrigerator. This way, you can store your scallops for up to 2-3 days. Then whenever you want to serve them, simply reheat the scallops together with the garlic cream sauce in your microwave.

But I wouldn't recommend freezing these keto scallops since they are made with cream sauce. And after throwing, there is a chance that the sauce will crumble up.

Recipe