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    Home » Recipes » Fish and Seafood

    By Carol Published: Jul 31, 2018 Modified: Aug 29, 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 3 votes
    25 minutes
    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with [Yellow] Watermelon-Tomato Salsa is the perfect summer meal that requires little to no cooking and it's ready in under 30 minutes! #watermelon #scallops #tomato #salsa #seafood

    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa is the perfect summer meal that requires little to no cooking and it's ready in under 30 minutes!

    Photo of Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa in white bowl garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • The inspiration behind this recipe:
    • What is Yellow Watermelon?
    • Things to know about sea scallops:
    • More easy and delicious sea scallop recipes:
    • Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
        • Salsa
        • Scallops
      • Instructions 
        • Salsa
        • Scallops
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    The inspiration behind this recipe:

    You may have taken one look at the photo and wondered why I'm trying to pass off pineapple as watermelon.  Well, I had intended to purchase a plain old deep pink Southern summertime watermelon for these pan-seared sea scallops and I thought I had.

    However, when I cut into the watermelon to make this salsa, it was bright yellow on the inside and here's the proof!

    Photo of yellow watermelon cut into pieces.

    No, not one of the more perfect watermelons on the inside either, but things do not always go smoothly in Foodbloggerville and I wasn't about to throw it out.  So, I just rolled with it.

    Actually, I'm glad I did.  It was incredibly sweet!  Evidently that cracking helps concentrate the flavor in the rest of the melon.

    What is Yellow Watermelon?

    Here's more information on yellow watermelons:  What is Yellow Watermelon and How is it Different From Red Watermelon.

    While red watermelon is high in lycopene, yellow watermelon is high in beta-carotene.  The flavor is sweeter than red and I definitely detected the notes of honey and apricot in the flesh which yellow watermelon is touted to have.

    I researched why the watermelon cracked on the inside.  It was simply due to uneven or excessive watering while the fruit was ripening.  There's a lot of silly information out there about cracked watermelons; I'm not going to go there.

    I'm so excited to have discovered yellow watermelon because it's delicious!

    ...And this watermelon-tomato salsa with the pan-seared sea scallops...  Oh, yeah!

    Photo of Watermelon Tomato Salsa in glass bowl with white spoon.

    Things to know about sea scallops:

    • A simply-seared sea scallop is a thing of beauty.  Sea scallops take only minutes to cook which makes them perfect for an easy dinner yet elegant enough for guests!
    • There is a difference between sea and bay scallops:
      • Sea scallops are large (think of the large, wide-open sea).
      • Bay scallops are small (think of a small bay looking out into the sea).
    • Make sure the scallops you purchase do not have ANY additives.  Sometimes they're treated with chemicals to keep them white.  Just say no!
    • Rinse them quickly, remove the beards (a noticeable muscle on the side of the scallop) and pat dry.
    • Season the scallops with a little salt and black pepper, heat some butter and olive oil and sear away!  Two to three minutes on one side and one to two on the other and that's it!

    Beautifully seared, succulent scallops!

    Photo of seared scallops in nonstick pan.

    Serve with this easy, fresh salsa and you've got a lovely, summery dish!

    Photo of Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa in white bowl on beige napkin garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

    Watermelon, tomato, fresh chile, red onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice and a touch of honey!

    Photo of Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa in white bowl garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa is beautiful, summery perfection!

    Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa - Overhead shot of seared scallops in white bowl with watermelon salsa

    More easy and delicious sea scallop recipes:

    • Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon and Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce and Tagliatelle
    • Pistachio-Encrusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus
    • Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato-Red Onion Balsamic Salsa
    • Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree

    Be sure to check out 35 Date Night Dinners Easy Enough for a Weeknight, too!

    Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa - Another shot of seared scallops in white bowl with watermelon salsa

    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon Tomato Salsa

    5 from 3 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Watermelon-Tomato Salsa is the perfect summer meal that requires little to no cooking and it's ready in under 30 minutes!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE TEXT INGREDIENTS TO PHONE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Fish and Seafood
    Cuisine Caribbean
    Servings 4
    Calories 268 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Nonstick Skillet

    Ingredients
      

    Salsa

    • 2 medium tomatoes - seeded and chopped
    • 4 to 5 cups diced watermelon - yellow or pink
    • ½ cup finely chopped red onion
    • 1 large jalapeno pepper - or Fresno chile, finely chopped
    • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • ½ large lime - juiced
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • salt - to taste

    Scallops

    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil - or as needed
    • 20 large sea scallops - trimmed of excess muscle (debearded) and patted dry
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    Salsa

    • Combine salsa ingredients except salt in a large bowl. Set aside or refrigerate.

    Scallops

    • Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet or saute pan. Season scallops with salt and black pepper.
    • Place half the scallops in the pan and sear 2-3 minutes per side. Flip and sear another 1-2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining scallops, refreshing oil if needed.
    • Add salt to salsa right before serving. Serve salsa with scallops.

    Notes

    You don't want to add salt too soon to the salsa as it will get watery too quickly. Add it right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 599mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1565IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

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    Categories: Date Night Dinners

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      August 15, 2018 at 10:30 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    2. thewimpyvegetarian says

      August 05, 2018 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for hosting this month! I am on the hunt now for yellow watermelon. I've never heard of it! And what a beautiful pairing with simply seared scallops. I get scallops from a nearby vendor who has fresh seafood flown in, and I always just sear them with simple seasoning like you. Now I have a great salsa recipe to go with them!!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        August 05, 2018 at 12:44 pm

        Thanks, Susan! The yellow watermelons are really lovely! So glad I came across them!

        Reply
    3. Barb | Creative Culinary says

      August 03, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      I have never seen or heard of a yellow watermelon Carol but it was meant to be, your salsa not only sounds fantastic but has beautiful color to boot! Ever since I saw the list with the scallops and watermelon combo I knew it would be one that would make my heart sing.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        August 04, 2018 at 7:59 am

        Thank you, Barb! I had never heard of yellow watermelon before either so was pretty surprised when I cut into the watermelon. Thanks again!

        Reply
    4. Laura@motherwouldknow says

      July 31, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Oh yes!! I adore sea scallops and we're on the same page when it comes to loving the watermelon/sea scallop pairing. I've never had yellow watermelon though, so I need to find one and learn first-hand how sweet it is.

      Reply
      • Teressa says

        April 29, 2020 at 8:08 pm

        I have been craving scallops for the last few weeks and I love everything about this recipe!! Will be making this tomorrow for sure❤️❤️❤️

        Reply
        • Carol says

          April 30, 2020 at 7:15 am

          Hi, Teressa, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy!

    5. Karen says

      July 31, 2018 at 10:09 am

      Oh gawd those scallops in the pan look so succulent! And what a happy accident to get a yellow watermelon! I'm going to have to hunt one down!

      Reply
    6. Liz says

      July 31, 2018 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      I adore scallops and they sound amazing paired with your beautiful salsa! I'd eat it will any color of watermelon. Thanks for hosting us this month!

      Reply

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