Vegan Scallops Recipe (2024)

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Vegan Scallops – really dive into the cruelty-free pool, leave those bivalves alone, and make this vegan recipe instead! Plump king oyster mushroom stems, flawlessly cooked in plant-based butter, spices, and herbs create the perfect replacement for scallops. Plenty of flavor, but lax on the effort, makes for one irresistible recipe.

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Vegan Scallops

This is my classic recipe for scallops that I recreated using mushrooms and could not tell the difference between looks and also flavor. I photographed this in the same skillet using the same recipe for my sea scallops and they literally look identical. It’s absolutely mind blowing and I hope you give it a try.

If you’re looking for vegan recipes that don’t use faux meat, but have ingredients that have similar textures to meat, check out my entrees list! You’ll adore my Vegan Bolognese, Watermelon Tuna, and this Vegan Chicken with Broccoli!

What Are Vegan Scallops Made Of?

Outside of the processed alternatives available on the market, the stem of a very specific mushroom is used to slice up scallops. The King Oyster Mushroom to be specific. It has larger sized stems. When cut correctly, they look, taste, and feel exactly like scallops. If you weren’t the one cooking them with the knowledge that they were mushroom stems, you would have a difficult time realizing they weren’t scallops. It’s crazy!

How to Make Vegan Scallops

  1. Prep – Preheat a cast iron skillet. Slice the mushroom stems into 1-inch medallions and pat dry.
  2. Season – Spray the mushroom medallions with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika. Spread all.
  3. Cook – Place the scallops in the hot pan and cook on each side for 2 minutes. Season the side that wasn’t seasoned and flip it back over for 2 more minutes. Set aside.
  4. Saute – Melt the vegan butter (or olive oil) in the skillet and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant. Add in the parsley and lemon. Add the scallops back to the pan with the sauce.
  5. Serve – Add to this favorite tomato basil pasta, cacio e pepe or garlic spicy noodles and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Variations

  • Storage – Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them by storing them in an airtight container. They should keep for 2-3 months.
  • Reheating – Reheat using a skillet over the stove or the microwave, if need be.
  • Add a seafood flavor – To give your plant based scallops an extra seafood flavor, make sure to crumble some seaweed and sprinkle it over the top before serving.
  • Do king oyster mushrooms look like scallops? – That’s a big YES! More specifically speaking, it’s their stem that looks like scallops. If sliced appropriately, it will be hard to tell the difference.
  • Do half oil – When melting the butter for the sauce, you can always swap out half or all of the vegan butter for olive oil. I prefer the vegan butter because the flavor is so much richer, but to tame down the sauce a bit, oil is the perfect addition.

FAQs

  • Are Scallops Vegan? Scallops belong to the bivalves family (sea creatures with a hinged valve). The day I witnessed a clam propel itself on the ocean floor to escape a predator (basically run for its life) I knew it was over for me. I was done consuming these clearly intelligent creatures. Some will argue that scallops are not really animals, and so therefore, justify their consumption. However, due to lack of conclusive evidence on whether or not they feel pain, I prefer to avoid causing suffering, especially as there is absolutely no need for us to consume them. Not to worry, King Oyster mushrooms, perfectly seasoned and pan seared in a cast iron skillet, will yield a perfect scallop-like texture and deliver nutrition like a boss.
  • What to Serve with mushroom scallops? Whatever you would normally serve your scallops with, you can serve these ones with as well! I have even added them to the top of a delicious salad. Some of my favorite options for serving these scallops is over this Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes, pea puree, risotto, creamy polenta, this mashed potato salad or go all out with some ginger caviar. Of course, you could always eat them by themselves as a snack as well with a piece of crusty bread!

Plant-Based Dinners

  • Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon
  • Vegan Steak
  • Kelp Noodle Salad
  • Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta
  • Tofu Parmesan
  • Best Vegan Fish for Tacos.

Vegan Scallops Recipe (9)

5 from 5 votes

Vegan Scallops (King Oyster Mushroom Scallops)

Vegan Scallops - really dive into the kindness pool, leave those bivalves alone, and make this vegan recipe instead! Plump king oyster mushroom stems, flawlessly cooked in vegan butter or olive oil, spices, and herbs create the perfect replacement for scallops. Plenty of flavor, but lax on the effort, makes for one incredibly delicious recipe.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:10 minutes mins

Total Time:20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 lb King Oyster Mushrooms
  • 4 Tbsp vegan butter (or olive oil) I used Miyoko’s European
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 3-4 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 pinch sweet paprika
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 1/2 lemon + extra wedges for serving
  • S & P to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat a seasoned cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Coat it with a thin layer of olive oil if needed.

    1 tsp olive oil

  • Slice the king oyster mushroom stems into 1 inch thick rounds and pat dry. (Reserve the caps for another recipe or just use them here if you don’t mind the shape).

    1 lb King Oyster Mushrooms

  • Brush or spray one side of the oyster mushroom rounds with olive oil then season with a pinch of sea salt, black pepper and sweet paprika. Use your hand to spread the spices all over the top.

    1 pinch sweet paprika, S & P to taste

  • Add the vegan scallops to the hot skillet seasoned side down. You should hear it sizzle nicely when it hits that hot pan. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side until a nice golden brown color is achieved (stay close by, don't overcook).

  • Meanwhile season the other side with salt, pepper and a tiny pinch of paprika. Flip and cook another 2 minutes or so. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

  • Add the vegan butter (or a mix of vegan butter ad olive oil) to the skillet you cooked the vegan scallops in. Mix in the grated garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds or so taking care not to burn it, you just want to tame it down a bit.

    4 Tbsp vegan butter (or olive oil), 3-4 cloves garlic

  • Squeeze in the lemon and add the parsley then transfer the "vegan scallops” back into the sauce. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper and serve hot over mashed potatoes, Aglio e olio pasta or a slice of bruschetta.

    1/2 lemon, 1/4 cup Italian parsley

Video

Notes

  • Storage - Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them by storing them in an airtight container. They should keep for 2-3 months.
  • Reheating - Reheat using a skillet over the stove or the microwave, if need be.
  • Add a seafood flavor - To give your vegan scallops an extra seafood flavor, make sure to crumble some seaweed and sprinkle it over the top before serving.
  • Do king oyster mushrooms look like scallops? - That’s a big YES! More specifically speaking, it’s their stem that resembles scallops. If sliced appropriately, it will be hard to tell the difference, just look at the photos!

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 525mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1028IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: plant based, vegan recipes, vegan scallops

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 138kcal

Author: Florentina

Mushroom Recipes

Vegan Scallops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are vegan scallops made of? ›

Vegan scallops, made with marinated king oyster mushrooms, served on a fresh, summery edamame bean smash! They make a great starter or a fancy breakfast! What is this?

What is a good substitute for scallops? ›

They are native to parts of Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. King oyster mushrooms have a dense, firm texture and incredible flavor. They are also available in mini-sized. Mini king oyster mushrooms work well as an alternative to bay scallops.

What is the secret to cooking scallops? ›

The secret is that you just pat them dry (buy dry-packed scallops), season with salt and pepper, and put them in a hot pan coated with oil and you leave them alone. Don't touch them. Don't move them.

What do you soak scallops in before cooking? ›

Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can serve as a tenderizing agent, help eliminate mild fish odor, and aid in removing sand or grit.

What is a vegan substitute for scallops? ›

King oysters mushrooms have thick stems that can be sliced into rounds that just look like scallops. And when cooked up with garlic, vegan butter, and white wine (or veggie broth), they become so much like scallops it's actually kind of shocking.

Are fake scallops healthy? ›

Unlike natural scallops, surimi is made from a less healthy paste, typically out of cheap fish like pollock or whiting, he explained. “They shape and mold it into hockey pucks and then fry,” he said.

Are scallops healthier than shrimp? ›

Although shrimp is relatively high in cholesterol, it can still be a part of a heart-healthy diet. This is because it contains a high amount of 'good' cholesterol. Scallops are low in cholesterol and therefore do not pose a risk of raising your cholesterol levels. They are also low in saturated fats.

What are cheap scallops made of? ›

The Rusty Spoon explains that fake scallops can be made from another type of fish (like skate or shark) cut and flavored to taste like the bivalve. Or, they can be made from surimi, which Healthline describes as a seafood paste made from mashed pollack that's also used to make imitation crab meat.

Is it better to bake or fry scallops? ›

Because sea scallops have a chewier texture, searing them in a hot skillet is the simplest, most effective cooking method to achieving a crisp exterior and tender, just-firm texture within. Basting the scallops with butter helps finish cooking them and enhances browning, too.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

Soaking scallops in milk

According to Livestrong.com, the milk will neutralize any fishy notes and aromas while also making the flesh more tender. Not only is this milk-soaking technique effective for scallops, but it also works for a range of seafood and fish.

What happens if you don't rinse scallops before cooking? ›

A: You should always rinse scallops thoroughly to remove grit, but there shouldn't be so much grit that you have to soak them. In fact, soaking isn't recommended because the scallops can absorb water and get soggy, less flavorful and difficult to sear properly.

Is it better to fry scallops in oil or butter? ›

Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While I recommend cooking them in butter for the best sear, you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if preferred.

Should I rinse frozen scallops? ›

Yes if they are frozen in fresh running cold water to thaw. The same with fresh or live scallops. Should one wash salmon before preparing it? Yes, or at least usually.

How long do you soak scallops in milk for? ›

Select a bowl or dish that is large enough to hold all of the scallops and deep enough that they can all be covered with milk. After rinsing, place the scallops in the bowl or dish and pour enough milk over them to cover completely. Cover the bowl, and place it in the refrigerator. Allow them to soak for one hour.

Should I salt scallops before searing? ›

Thankfully, we have you covered: Dry Your Scallops: We mentioned this before, but it bears repeating—be sure to dry your scallops before placing them on the pan. Season Them Before You Cook Them: You should sprinkle your salt and pepper onto your scallops before cooking, not during or after.

What is vegan seafood made of? ›

What is plant based seafood made of? Plant-based seafood can be found in the form of tuna, salmon, caviar, scallops, squid, crab and shrimp – all these products have already entered the market. The most common ingredients in these products are soy, seaweed, yeast, legumes and various vegetable oils and starches.

What fish is used for fake scallops? ›

Millions of people paying good money for scallops are actually eating cheap stingray, skate, or shark that has been sectioned up by a cookie cutter to look like scallops. Sometimes surimi (fish paste) is used to resemble a scallop.

What is vegan calamari made of? ›

This Vegan Calamari is made using oyster mushrooms breaded in a simple, savory batter, then fried until golden. It's equally as crispy and delicious as the classic appetizer and perfect for serving on game days, holidays, or as a crowd-pleasing vegan appetizer ahead of your favorite pasta.

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