Scallop Salad Recipe with Orange, Honey Walnut Vinaigrette

This fresh citrus Scallop Salad Recipe is made with a light and delicious orange, honey, and walnut vinaigrette.  As the weather gets warmer this perfectly healthy sea scallops dish is wonderful on its own or as an accompaniment to dinner. 

I don’t know about you but the decision of what to have for dinner comes around each day very quickly. With the nicer temperatures arriving, I like to be out of the kitchen fast so we can head out and enjoy a walk in our neighborhood after dinner.

Rather than spending hours and hours of cooking and having to do a massive clean up of dishes, my fresh scallops recipe only takes about 25 minutes to make along with only using two large bowls and one large nonstick skillet, making clean up a snap!

overhead photo of orange scallop salad with red onions
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What flavors go best with scallops?

Seared scallops on their own are fabulous. But what flavors go best with them when you want a little more?

While citrus and scallops are a match made in heaven, adding tarragon, parsley, or thyme for a French feel, goes well with these tasty sea morsels.

According to my sweet husband, he loves a good olio. He says, that this recipe is one of the best dinners he’s had in a long time. He also says, “The combination of the citrus oranges, along with the red onion and walnut compliments the not-too-fishy scallop for an outstanding flavor!”

I love when my family takes the first bite and I hear an ‘mmm, this is so good’! or before they finish the first dish, I hear, ‘Is there more?’ is another good sign that it tastes really good!

Why do you soak scallops in salt water?

When purchasing fresh scallops soaking them in salt water for about thirty minutes will even out the flavor and ‘freshen up’ the scallop before you cook them.

What happens if you don’t rinse scallops?

Prior to searing your scallops, it is always a good idea to rinse them well to remove any sand or grit. Follow with a good pat down with a paper towel to remove any excess water. Too much water or moisture on your scallop will not allow the scallop to brown properly.

Ingredients you will need:

  • Small Oranges
  • Olive Oil
  • Soy Sauce
  • Honey
  • Kosher salt & Pepper
  • Walnuts
  • Scallops
  • Baby Spinach
  • Red Onion
overhead of scallop salad ingredients

Instructions to Make Scallop Salad Recipe

  • Soak scallops in salt water for 10 minutes, pat dry.
  • Gently pat the wet scallops with a paper towel to dry them a bit after rinsing. 
scallops being patted dry with paper towel
  • Grate zest from 1 large orange into a small bowl. (2 smaller oranges may be used)
orange being zested over a glass bowl
  • Cut peel from orange and slice flesh into segments, set aside
  • Squeeze orange juice from the membranes into the bowl with the zest (I squeezed a few sections of the orange as well to get a bit more juice)
  • Whisk in 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, soy sauce, honey, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper
olive oil in glass bowl being added to orange zest
onion being sliced with knife overhead photo
  • Add onions, oranges, and walnuts to the dressing mixture
glass mixing bowl with orange segments, walnuts and red onion slices
  • In a separate medium bowl using tongs, toss orange segments, walnuts, and red onion, into the spinach with dressing.
Glass bowl with spinach with another glass bowl on top with oranges, onions and dressing ready to be added
  • Over medium-high heat heat the non-stick skillet.
  • Toast the walnuts for approximately 4 minutes, remove from heat (keep a close watch to not burn the walnuts)
walnuts in non stick pan being toasted
  • Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet.
  • Season scallops with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
  • Saute scallops for 3 for 4 minutes until golden brown. Turn each side of the scallops to give the scallops a good sear, browning evenly
  • Remove the warm scallops from the skillet, and keep warm
scallops being browned in non stick pan
  • Place 1 1/2 cups of salad on each plate and top with scallops.
overhead photo of scallop orange salad

There is nothing like fresh seafood topped on an easy salad

overhead of scallop salad with orange mimosa on side

As an alternative, next time I may try different citrus fruits such as clementines, mandarins, or grapefruit segments. 

Not a fan of scallops in your salad? I grew up on this super easy 3 ingredient pasta and pea salad that still gets rave reviews whenever I bring it to a party.

Shop & Source

scallop salad overhead photo with mimosa on side of dish

I served the salad with a delicious mimosa and these slightly sweet muffins. Perfect for any brunch or luncheon menu!

close up of orange scallop salad on blue and white dish

Scallop Salad Recipe with Orange, Honey Walnut Vinaigrette

This fresh citrus Scallop Salad Recipe is made with a light and delicious orange, honey, and walnut vinaigrette.  As the weather gets warmer this perfectly healthy sea scallops dish is wonderful on its own or as an accompaniment to dinner. 
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Orange (large) or 2 small oranges
  • 2 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Honey
  • 1/3 cup Walnuts
  • 1 small Red Onion
  • 6 oz Baby Spinach
  • 1 lb. Scallops
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions
 

Prepping the Scallops

  • Soak scallops in salt water for 10 minutes, pat dry.
  • Gently pat the wet scallops with a paper towel to dry them a bit after rinsing.

Orange, Honey Vinaigrette

  • Grate zest from 1 large orange into a small bowl. (2 smaller oranges may be used)
  • Cut peel from orange and slice flesh into segments, set aside.
  • Squeeze orange juice from the membranes into the bowl with the zest (I squeezed a few sections of the orange as well to get a bit more juice)
  • Whisk in 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, soy sauce, honey and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper
  • Thinly slice the red onion

Toasting the Walnuts

  • Over medium-high heat heat the non-stick skillet.
  • Toast the walnuts for approximately 4 minutes, remove from heat (keep a close watch to not burn the walnuts)

Combine Ingredients

  • Add onions, oranges, and walnuts to the dressing mixture
  • In a separate medium bowl using tongs, toss orange segments, walnuts, and red onion, into the spinach with dressing.

Searing Scallops

  • Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet.
  • Season scallops with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
  • Saute scallops for 3 for 4 minutes until golden brown.
  • Turn each side of the scallops to give the scallops a good sear, browning evenly.
  • Remove the warm scallops from the skillet, and keep warm.
  • Place 1 1/2 cups of salad on each plate and top with scallops.
  • Serve for dinner or brunch with a mimosa. Enjoy!
Keyword citrus salad, scallop salad
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Pinterest Pin Scallop Salad Recipe
close up of orange scallop salad on blue and white dish

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13 Comments

    1. I think your private chef will love this recipe! haha

  1. 5 stars
    This looks amazing! Sadly, I am allergic to scallops. But I think I can make the rest of it and substitute something. Yummy!

    1. aww I remember that! I’ve read that king oyster mushrooms can replace the scallop and taste just like a scallop!

  2. Yum! This sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it. Hugs to you.

    1. Thank you Renae! My husband raved about it! It’s easy and delicious! 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Amazing, scallops the best of the best. Pinned this one
    I visited you via Week 67 of our Fabulous Friday Link Party
    If not already part of SSPS, and are interested, find my entries: 47+48, and then navigate toward the bottom of my page for the Senior Salon Pit Stop linkup, we hope to meet you there virtually.

    1. Thank you so much. I hope you the flavors as much as we do. (my husband loved it and wants me to make it again soon) I’ll check it out. Thanks for stopping by!
      Susan

  4. I tried making scallops at home a few years ago and I fell short somewhere. My husband did not care for them, but I am betting I did something wrong along the way. I thought they were okay at home, but I love them out. I need to give your recipe a try, red onion makes everything tasty.

  5. oh my goodness Susan, this looks amazing!!! I’ve never cooked with scallops, but this may have won me over.

    1. That is amazing Diane. I can’t wait to hear if you try it out. The flavors blend together beautifully.

  6. This looks so delicious. My husband loves scallops so I shall be making this for him. I am happy to feature your tasty scallops at Love Your Creativity. Happy Memorial Day weekend.

    1. Thank you Linda! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Thank you for the feature! 🙂

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