Sea scallops are one of those ingredients that feel a little bit fancy but are surprisingly easy to prepare at home. Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops offer restaurant-quality seafood without the hefty price tag, making them a perfect option for elevating your next dinner. Whether you're searing them for a special occasion or tossing them into a quick weeknight pasta, these scallops are versatile, delicious, and easy to cook.
Product Description
Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops come in a 16-ounce frozen bag, priced at $17.99. These scallops are wild-caught and flash-frozen at sea, ensuring freshness and locking in flavor. With their large size, firm texture, and sweet flavor, they are ideal for searing, baking, or incorporating into your favorite seafood recipes. Unlike smaller scallops, these jumbo ones are thick enough to get a nice sear on the outside while staying tender on the inside.
Review
I'll be honest: I've been burned by frozen seafood before. One wrong move and you're left with rubbery seafood sadness or a puddle of seafood-scented regret. But Trader Joe's actually delivers here.
These scallops are hefty. Like, "Instagram influencer showing off their biceps" hefty. I thawed them overnight in the fridge like a responsible adult (though I'll admit I've used the cold water method more times than I care to admit), and when I opened the bag, there was no fishy funk-just clean, ocean-y freshness.
Cooking them is all about confidence and a hot pan. I seared them in a little butter and olive oil until they had that golden-brown crust that practically screams "I know what I'm doing." The inside stayed tender and sweet-basically everything you hope for when you splurge on scallops.
Flavor-wise, they're rich and buttery without needing much fuss. You can absolutely get away with just a little salt and lemon juice and still feel like you're eating something off a white tablecloth.
The real kicker here? These are restaurant-quality scallops in a zip-top bag. No reservations, no valet parking, no seafood markup that makes you question your life choices.
Are they cheap? Nope. But for what you're getting, it's actually a pretty solid deal-especially when you compare them to what you'd pay at a seafood counter or, heaven forbid, a fancy steakhouse that charges you $38 for four scallops and a prayer.
Ingredient
- Wild-Caught Sea Scallops: That's it! No additives, preservatives, or unnecessary fillers. Just pure, wild-caught sea scallops.
How to Prepare Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops
- Thawing: For best results, thaw the scallops in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, place the sealed bag in cold water for 30 minutes to speed up the process.
- Cooking Instructions:
- Seared Scallops: Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a bit of oil or butter. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, then sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve immediately.
- Baked Scallops: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange scallops in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and season with garlic, lemon, and herbs. Bake for about 10 minutes, until just cooked through.
- Grilled Scallops: For a smoky flavor, skewer the scallops and grill them over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Recipe Suggestions
- Lemon Butter Scallops: Sear the scallops in butter and serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a simple yet elegant dish.
- Sea Scallop Risotto: Sear the scallops and serve them over a creamy Parmesan risotto for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
- Pasta with Scallops and Garlic Cream Sauce: Toss the scallops into a garlic cream sauce and serve over fettuccine or linguine for a luxurious pasta dish.
- Scallop Tacos: For a fun twist, serve seared scallops in warm tortillas with slaw, avocado, and a drizzle of lime crema.
FAQs about Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
Yes, the scallops are flash-frozen at sea to lock in their freshness. They come in a frozen bag, and you should thaw them before cooking.
Trader Joe's sources their scallops sustainably, ensuring that they are wild-caught and responsibly harvested.
The exact number of scallops varies depending on their size, but the bag typically contains 10-12 jumbo scallops.
Conclusion
Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops are a fantastic option for home cooks looking to create restaurant-quality seafood dishes at home. These wild-caught scallops have a naturally sweet, briny flavor and a tender texture that's perfect for searing, baking, or grilling. Though they are on the pricier side at $17.99 per bag, their quality and versatility make them worth the splurge, especially for a special occasion. Just be sure to thaw them properly before cooking for the best results. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these scallops are an impressive and delicious addition to your meal repertoire.
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Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops
Product Name: Trader Joe's Jumbo Sea Scallops
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Jumbo Sea Scallops offer restaurant-quality seafood at home.
Price: $17.99
Summary
Trader Joe’s Jumbo Sea Scallops offer restaurant-quality seafood at home.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- High Quality: Wild-caught and flash-frozen for freshness.
- Versatile: Can be seared, baked, or grilled for a variety of dishes.
- Large Size: Jumbo scallops make for an impressive presentation and are easier to cook without drying out.
- Simple Ingredients: Contains only scallops, with no preservatives or additives.
Cons
- Price: At $17.99 per bag, they are on the pricier side compared to other frozen seafood options.
- Thawing Required: You need to thaw the scallops before cooking, which adds some prep time.
Beth says
Hi...what fun, I just purchased and prepared these scallops the same way last weekend and completely agree with your post. Also, want to share I enjoy your site as a resource and for new ideas. Please keep it up!
becomebetty says
Hey Beth! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your kind words. If there is anything you want to see that I haven't already posted, please let me know and I'll try to get around to it.
Beth says
Do you know if these are dry or wet scallops? I've never had good luck with them, probably because I've overcooked them. I've read that dry are best.
becomebetty says
Hey Beth! Sorry for not getting back to you right away. I don't have a firm answer for you. The only ingredient listed was the scallops themselves. A wet scallop would likely have an extra ingredient or two on the list (although I'm not 100% positive on this). Here is the difference between the wet and dry scallops: https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-wet-dry-a-58059
But also, here is the FDA's rules about ingredients. #2 at the bottom references scallops specifically: https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074565.htm
I think the best place to get the answer would be TJs themselves. The best way to get in contact with them is here: https://www.traderjoes.com/contact-us/product-feedback
I hope that answers at least some of your question!
Beth says
Thank you for your answer, Betty. I think they are probably dry since there isn't another ingredient listed. I'll get in touch with TJ's and will let you know.
Beth B. says
Betty - I just heard back from T.J.'s customer service and the scallops are dry and do not have any added phosphates. I've read that dry are superior to wet and am not surprised that T.J.'s sells the best.
Beth B. says
Betty - I was already a big fan of your blog and your opinions on TJ's products. However, I have to tell you that I am now a 100% convert to scallops! I've never really enjoyed them and was intimidated about cooking them - undercooking vs. overcooking. I couldn't find the fresh scallops at my TJ's but bought the frozen and followed your instructions. They're divine! The scallops are delicious and the browned butter and lemon juice enhance the flavor beautifully. Thank you for the recommendation, your critiques, and cooking instructions! Yea! Love them.
becomebetty says
Hey Beth! I was the same way until I took some cooking classes and realized that cooking seafood wasn't nearly as hard as I thought. As always the key is just knowing how long to cook. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. There are so many ways and flavor pairings. Glad I could help! Can't wait to hear about all about your future flavor pairings! Thanks so much for stopping by. You comment meant a lot to me.
Philip Ray says
Tried several times and pan cook after defrost in fridge . Garlic white wine butter and cream . As close as getting st fish market or off the boat. These are real deal and big too. On West Coast There's diver Scallops that are small not as good. These should be the $17:00 they are and your not making every day and cheaper than eating out. Recommend if your Seafood lover.
Kristina says
I just literally made those 20 minutes ago they’re pretty small...I ate 10 lol I hope I don’t die!
becomebetty says
If they are small then you might have picked up a package of the Bay Scallops instead. I've seen that offered recently.