Everyone knows that fresh seafood is the best. Due to the geographical location of many cities, it is almost impossible to buy freshly caught scallops. New technologies of instant freezing of the product are truly salvation for seafood lovers. Freshly frozen scallops retain all the beneficial properties, taste and smell that will delight us after proper defrosting.

How do you defrost scallops quickly? To defrost scallops quickly, soak them in milk and leave them at room temperature for 3-4 hours or seal scallops in a plastic bag and put them in the bowl with cold water. Never defrost scallops in the microwave oven or under hot water, as it will destroy the taste of scallops. 

But what if you do not have time to defrost scallops? Can you cook frozen scallops without defrosting? You should not cook frozen scallops without defrosting, as scallops will lose their taste and change their texture. Scallops, like other seafood, need to be cooked fresh or defrosted to bring you the most pleasure and health benefits.

Ultimate Guide on How to Defrost Scallops Quickly

Are frozen scallops good? Frozen scallops are not as good as fresh scallops since during defrosting, scallops lose some milk which makes the texture change. Fresh scallops will always be better than frozen, but properly defrosted scallops can also be tasty and save their nutritional value.

Before you decide to defrost scallops, make sure the scallops are in good condition. Should frozen scallops smell fishy? Frozen scallops should never smell fishy. In fact, frozen scallops should not give off any odor. Check the expiration date of the package to make sure the scallops are fresh and safe to eat.

Read on how to thaw scallops properly to enjoy the taste and the health benefits of this delicacy.

How to defrost scallops in the fridge? Scallops should be defrosted in the refrigerator at a temperature of +1—+3°C. If you need a scallop in the morning, put it in the refrigerator in the evening while providing drainage so that the water can drain off. At home, you can put the scallop in a sieve and put the sieve in a bowl.

How long can defrosted scallops stay in the fridge? Properly defrosted scallops can stay in the fridge for 1-3 days at a temperature of +1—+3°C. Defrosted scallops should be prepared as quickly as possible. If you thawed scallops in hot water or the microwave, cook them immediately.

If all the scallops in the bag are stuck together into a briquette in the shop, it means that the product had time to melt along the way; it was frozen again and sold to you. In a bag, each scallop should be in its own glaze. If you see just one big piece of ice, do not buy these scallops.

Can you defrost scallops at room temperature? Scallops can be defrosted at room temperature if you need to cook them urgently. It is better to defrost scallops in the fridge to avoid sudden temperature drops. However, you can defrost scallops at room temperature if they do not get direct sunlight.

Do I need to thaw frozen scallops before cooking? Scallops need to be thawed before cooking to fully release the flavor and aroma of the delicacy. If you cook frozen scallops, they might be rubbery, tasteless and watery. Defrost scallops in the fridge to save the unique sweetish taste and nutritional value of scallops.

Thawing Scallops in Water

You can thaw scallops in water. Fill a freezer bag with scallops and place them in a bowl with cold water. This method of defrosting scallops will preserve their delicate consistency, pleasant aroma and taste. Coldwater will quickly defrost scallops and save your time. Never use hot or warm water.

How Long Do Scallops Need to Thaw?

Scallops need 3-4 hours to defrost in the fridge and 2-3 hours at room temperature. If you have time, opt for thawing scallops in the fridge to avoid temperature drops. Thawing time will heavily depend on scallops’ size and may even be 8 hours in the fridge and 6 hours at room temperature.

The Main Mistakes While Defrosting Scallops

• Defrosting scallops in the microwave will only lead to scallops losing their taste, aroma, juiciness and useful nutrients.
• Defrosting scallops in hot or warm water. If you thaw scallops in hot or warm water, they will lose their milk and juice and become dry, chewy and rubbery. All the healthy elements will also be gone.
• Refreezing defrosted scallops. You must never refreeze any seafood as it will become rubbery, dry and tasteless.

If freezing seafood is a fast process (the faster, the better), then the same rule applies when defrosting, only the other way around — the defrosting process must be long. Defrosting scallops under the influence of hot or even warm water is prohibited. Scallops are cooked very quickly; therefore, using even warm water and defrosting, the cooking process will begin. The proteins of the outer layer of scallops will curl up, and with further heat treatment, the taste, color, density and even the composition of nutrients in scallops can greatly change.

It is also not recommended to defrost scallops in cold water. Vitamins, micro-and macroelements, will partially be washed off with water. If you speed up the scallop defrosting process, seal scallops in a plastic bag so that the product does not come into contact with water. If there is no direct contact with water, scallops can be defrosted in water quickly and harmlessly.

Freezing food properly is the best way to store it for a long time. It does not harm their shape, color, texture, biological value and aroma. But all of this can be lost with improper defrosting. Never defrost scallops and other seafood in a high-temperature room or under hot water. In a warm environment, the fibers of the product decompose, and the processes of spoilage and decay begin.