Vieras de Mar (bacon wrapped sea scallops) cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce. Delicious and incredibly easy to make. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
If you love seafood that feels a little special without being fussy, these Vieras de Mar envueltas en bacon are going to be one of your favorites. Tender sea scallops wrapped in crispy bacon and finished with a simple garlic butter sauce, they're rich, savory, and honestly hard to stop eating. They work beautifully as an appetizer, but they're just as perfect served as a main dish with pasta to soak up all that buttery sauce. And if you're planning a seafood-forward dinner, these scallops fit right in alongside langosta a la mantequilla, my Alaskan cod recipe, or camarones al ajillo for a meal that feels elevated but still easy.
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Ingredients
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and instructions.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep the scallops
Preheat the oven to 400°F degrees. Pat the sea scallops completely dry with paper towels. This helps them sear properly. Season lightly on both sides with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Wrap with bacon
Wrap each scallop with half a strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
Step 3: Bake
Cook the scallops for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 120°F. Remove the scallops from the oven and set aside.
Step 4: Make the garlic butter sauce
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30-40 seconds, just until fragrant, do not let the butter brown.
Step 5: Baste and finish
Add the scallops to the pan and spoon the garlic butter over them. Cook for an additional minute or two, then remove from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon over the scallops and garnish with a sprinkle of parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
What Can I Serve with Bacon Wrapped Scallops?
Vieras de mar pair well with pasta, rice, a simple salad, or roasted vegetables. They also make a great starter for a seafood-focused dinner.
Recipe FAQ’s
Sea scallops are best enjoyed fresh. You can wrap the scallops with the bacon a few hours ahead and refrigerate, but cook them just before serving.
Both fresh or frozen sea scallops work for this recipe. Just thaw frozen scallops completely, then rinse under cold water and pat them dry before cooking.
Not always, but they do help to keep the bacon secure.
They should be opaque throughout and slightly firm to the touch. If they start shrinking or turning rubbery, they've gone too far. The internal temperature must be between 125°F-130°F.
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📖 Recipe
Vieras de Mar
Ingredients
- 20 sea scallops rinsed under cold water and patted dry
- 10 bacon slices cut in half
- salt to taste
- ground pepper to taste
- 2 lemons 1 for scallops, 1 cut into wedges for serving
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1 stick salted butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley rinsed and chopped finely or ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F degrees. Rinse the scallops under cold water, drain and completely dry with paper towels. (This helps them sear properly.) Season lightly on both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Wrap each scallop with half a strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
- Cook the scallops for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 120°F. Remove the scallops from the oven and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30-40 seconds, just until fragrant, do not let the butter brown.
- Add the scallops to the pan and spoon the garlic butter over them. Cook for an additional minute or two, or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F -130°F, then remove from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon over the scallops and garnish with a sprinkle of parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
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