Can You Freeze Scallops?

3 minutes

Scallops are an extremely popular seafood option, but they can be pricey if you buy them in individual portions. People who enjoy scallops at home tend to buy them in bulk, as it saves money and ensures they have a stock of delicious scallops on hand, even when they’re out of season.

But what’s the best way to store scallops that you don’t plan on using within a couple of days? Can you freeze scallops?

How to Freeze Scallops

You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s nothing overly complicated about freezing scallops. Providing they’re super fresh when you purchase them, they can be frozen for a couple of months and will retain all of their taste and flavour.

Below are the steps you should follow to freeze scallops safely: 

1. Rinse
   Under the cold-water tap, rinse your scallops briefly before patting dry with a paper towel. 
2. Place in a Container
   Line your scallops in a freezer-safe container, taking care to separate them from one another. While they shouldn’t stick together in the freezer, it’s a good idea to space them out regardless. 
3. Label and Freeze
   Write the date that you purchased your scallops, as well as their use-by date on top of the freezer-safe container, before transferring to the freezer. Remember, you can freeze scallops for around two months. 

3 Tips for Freezing Scallops

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing scallops to have the best results:

Pick Scallops Carefully
When you’re selecting your scallops from the fishmonger or supermarket, be sure to inspect their appearance. You should choose scallops that are white and shiny. Avoid any scallops that show any browning or discolouration as they have started to go bad and won’t be suitable for freezing. 

Freeze Quickly
Fresh scallops are best enjoyed on the day that they’re purchased and shouldn’t really be stored in the fridge beyond 24 hours. Therefore, you need to get your scallops in the freezer as quickly as you can when you get home.

It’s a good idea to set aside those that you will eat right away and those that need to be frozen so you don’t run the risk of your scallops going bad. 

Store in the Coldest Part of the Freezer
Scallops will be best preserved in the coldest part of your freezer. While it’s not necessary to measure the temperature, you should place them in a drawer towards the back of the freezer. Avoid storing them in the door or at the front, as they may be affected when you open the freezer. 

How Long Can You Freeze Scallops?

You can freeze scallops for around two months.

Because fresh scallops need to be consumed within 48 hours of buying them, freezing them is actually the best way of preserving them. Be sure to place your scallops in the freezer as soon as you get home, and they will be well preserved for up to two months. 

You Can Freeze Scallops for up to 2 Months

How Do You Defrost Scallops?

The night before you’re planning to cook your scallops, you should remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw in the fridge, slowly.

Although this takes some time, it’s the perfect way to thaw scallops without worrying about them going bad. You should never defrost scallops or any other seafood at room temperature. 

Can You Refreeze Scallops?

Scallops should only be frozen once. If you refreeze them, you risk affecting their moisture content, which could cause some issues when it comes to cooking them.

You don’t need to worry too much about wasting scallops, as it’s easy to remove the number of scallops that you need at any given time from the freezer. It’s much better to remove them as and when you need them instead of defrosting a whole batch and then looking to refreeze them.

Do Scallops Freeze Well?

Like most seafood, scallops freeze extremely well. In fact, freezing scallops is the best way to preserve them, whether you’ve bought them in batch or are just looking to keep them for a little longer before serving them up to your family and friends.

It’s important to remember to freeze your scallops as soon as you get them home, as leaving them in the fridge for too long will cause them to discolour and potentially go bad, which is something you will hope to avoid. 

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing scallops or scallops in general, then these may help:

Does Freezing Ruin Scallops?

Freezing scallops does not ruin them. On the contrary, in fact, scallops freeze particularly well. It’s one of the best ways to store them if you’re not going to be eating them fresh. 

Why Should You Rinse Scallops Before Freezing?

Rinsing scallops before freezing them removes any unwanted residue from the outside of the scallop. You only need to give them a quick rinse under a running tap. This is not essential, however, so you don’t need to do so.