Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops! (2024)

Apr 21, 2021

5 from 20 votes

| 29 Comments

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Vegan scallops are here and OMG are you going to love them!! The key to making vegan scallops at home is to use king oyster mushrooms. 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. The texture is PERFECT, and the flavour? Creamy, garlicky, buttery, slightly nutty, and all-around amazing. Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops are perfect for a fancy snack or an appetizer, but they also make a lovely light meal when paired with pasta or potatoes, and some veg.

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Oh, and check this out: Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops’ total prep time is just 5 minutes, total cook time is only 8 minutes and the total recipe list is just 9 ingredients long. Add these numbers up and what do you get? Simple deliciousness. Much like the recipes in my new cookbook, Fast Easy Cheap Vegan, where all the recipes are 30 minutes or less, 10 ingredients or less, and $10 or less - this Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops recipe also shows how simple and mouth-watering vegan cooking can be!

And yes, after posting Vegan Lobster, Easy Vegan Crab Cakes, and my Jackfruit Salad Sandwich – you may have noticed a theme developing here. I promise, I am not changing the name of my blog to “Ocean-Friendly Meal Ideas by Sam”, but I'm determined to show everyone that eating our oceans is not sustainable. And not necessary, considering all the delicious vegan options! Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops for the win! 🙂

How to make Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops:

To make vegan garlic seared scallops, you need king oyster mushrooms. King oyster mushrooms have a thick white stem and small brown cap. Don't confuse them with oyster mushrooms that are thin, layered, and grey. Only king oyster mushrooms will work for the scallop look, but any mushroom would be delicious prepared in this way.

You can use baby king oyster mushrooms or large king oysters, they will just make for smaller or larger scallops. (In this recipe I used baby king oysters).

Slice the mushroom stems into 1 inch thick rounds. You can either save the mushroom caps for another recipe or use them in this vegan garlic seared scallops dish (they just won't look much like scallops).

Heat the olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the mushroom rounds in a single layer. Cook 2-4 minutes until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and brown on the other side.

When the mushrooms are golden on both sides, push them to the side of the pan. Melt the vegan butter in the pan and then add the garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant and it just begins to brown. Add the vegetable broth or wine, salt, pepper. Stir to incorporate the mushrooms into the sauce. Garnish with parsley and wedges of lemon if desired. Servehot.

Serve vegan garlic seared scallops with something starchy such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, and a veg such as broccoli, roasted eggplant, or garlic green beans.

Bon appetegan!

Sam Turnbull.

5 from 20 votes

(click stars to vote)

Vegan Garlic Seared Scallops

Creamy, garlicky, buttery, slightly nutty, and all-around amazing! Just 13 minutes to make and just 9 ingredients! Perfect for an appetizer, or as a main with served with pasta or potatoes and a veg.

Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 8 minutes mins
Total: 13 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

▢ 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 200 g king oyster mushrooms, sliced into 1" thick rounds (see step 1)
▢ 1 tablespoon vegan butter
▢ 4 cloves garlic,, minced or pressed
▢ ¼ cup vegetable broth or dry white wine
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ 2 tablespoons chopped parsley,, for garnish (optional)
▢ lemon wedges,, for garnish (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

You can use baby king oyster mushrooms or large king oysters, they will just make for smaller or larger scallops. (In this recipe I used baby king oysters). Slice the mushroom stems into 1 inch thick rounds. You can either save the mushroom caps for another recipe or use them in this dish (they just won't look much like scallops).
Heat the olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the mushroom rounds in a single layer. Cook 2-4 minutes until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and brown on the other side.
When the mushrooms are golden on both sides, push them to the side of the pan. Melt the vegan butter in the pan and then add the garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant and it just begins to brown.
See Also
Do Some Vegans Eat Fish?The Ethics of Eating Live Scallops: Is It Morally Justifiable?Fish substitutes: 10 vegan alternatives to fish, caviar, and the like The Complete Guide to Scallops
Add the vegetable broth or wine, salt, pepper. Stir to incorporate the mushrooms into the sauce. Garnish with parsley and wedges of lemon if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Mushrooms: king oyster mushrooms have a thick white stem and small brown cap. Don't confuse them with oyster mushrooms that are thin, layered, and grey. Only king oyster mushrooms will work for the scallop look, but any mushroom would be delicious prepared in this way.

Serving: serve scallops with something starchy such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, and a veg such as broccoli, roasted eggplant, or garlic green beans.

Oil-free: for oil-free, simply do a broth sauté and then whisk in a bit of nutritional yeast to substitute the butter.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Insta and let the world see just how amazing plant-based creations can be!

Author: Sam Turnbull
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course, Side Dish

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Emy says
April 07, 2024 at 9:23 am

What sorcery is this recipe! Tastes like the real thing, my goodness. We enjoyed this recipe (along with many of your others) very much! My husband who is anaphylactic to shellfish was worried I gave him the real thing. amazing, thanks so much for creating such amazing recipes like this!
Reply
Lorraine says
February 13, 2024 at 11:42 am

So,so,so good!!!
And so easy
Had over jasmine rice
Thank you Sam!
Reply
- Jess @ IDTLC Support says
  February 14, 2024 at 11:10 am
  Thanks for your review, Lorraine!
  Reply
JB says
March 21, 2022 at 9:03 pm
The way I love king trumpet mushrooms is sliced into planks, then fried in olive oil & butter. Once they're browned on both sides, take them off the heat and toss them is sesame oil and a lot of salt. OMG!
Reply
maya says
June 26, 2021 at 6:26 pm
Hi this recipe sounds really good and I want to make this recipe at college. I can't get king oyster mushrooms, but I wanted to know if you think this would work with whole portobello mushrooms?
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  June 28, 2021 at 4:13 pm
  Yes, the flavour will be similar but the look and texture will be different. EnjoY!
  Reply
  See Also
  allplants | Are Mussels Vegan?
JeannieR. says
June 24, 2021 at 9:37 pm

This recipe was incredibly good and really does take the place of scallops! My daughter gave me some mushrooms from her weekly produce subscription. I didn't know what kind of mushrooms they were because I've only seen the ordinary white cap and baby portobello at my local grocery stores.
I followed your directions exactly and it was perfect. I hope I can find these mushrooms again to make this recipe.
I have found it easy to give up meat and poultry as I experiment with vegan recipes, but I do miss seafood.
I will definitely try your other recipes
Thank you
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  June 28, 2021 at 4:09 pm
  That's wonderful JeannieR! Yes, I have lots of other vegan seafood recipes that you can see here. Enjoy!
  Reply
Lea says
June 23, 2021 at 3:39 pm

Thanks so much Sam! Absolutely delicious and so..so...so simple... I made this with some coconut garlic ginger rice with some green onions and spinach... Already want more!!
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  June 28, 2021 at 3:59 pm
  Haha! Amazing! Thrilled you enjoyed it 🙂
  Reply
M says
June 11, 2021 at 11:44 am
Can you please post this with English measurements as well as metric? About how many pounds of mushrooms would I need for 200 grams?
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  June 17, 2021 at 11:28 am
  I already do! Just click the word "metric" right below the ingredient list and it will convert for you 🙂
  Reply
  - M says
    June 20, 2021 at 11:12 am
    Thanks so much. I see everything converted, except the amount of mushrooms. That’s still listed as 200 grams.
  - Lea says
    June 23, 2021 at 3:36 pm
    about a titch less than 1/2 lb...
  - Sam Turnbull says
    June 28, 2021 at 3:52 pm
    Oh apologies, it's 0.45 pounds
Nitza Perdigon Cangahuala says
May 05, 2021 at 12:26 pm

Yay!
Thank you
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  May 07, 2021 at 9:14 am
  You're welcome 🙂
  Reply
- Julia says
  May 18, 2021 at 3:20 pm
  
  Tried these, very yummy.
  You've done wonders again
  Reply
  - Sam Turnbull says
    May 21, 2021 at 8:53 am
    So happy you enjoyed, Julia!
Julie says
April 28, 2021 at 8:56 am

You did it again, Sam! Easy, fast, and so yummy! Definitely another keeper!
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  April 28, 2021 at 9:15 am
  Yay!! Thrilled you loved it so much, Julie!
  Reply
roni uzan says
April 26, 2021 at 11:09 am

so yummy and easy! thank you!!
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  April 28, 2021 at 9:14 am
  You're most welcome 🙂
  Reply
Kate McCracken says
April 21, 2021 at 2:08 pm
HI Sam, we have tried your tofish and loved it! Thank you so much for spreading the word that we do NOT need to eat fish and NO it is not sustainable! Going to try your scallop recipe next!
Reply
- Sam Turnbull says
  April 28, 2021 at 9:10 am
  You're most welcome, Kate! Thrilled you're enjoying it. 🙂
  Reply
Lovethescents says
April 21, 2021 at 11:45 am
Oh my, you are on a ROLL! Is "shrimp" next? We have loved all of your ocean-themed recipes so far and will try these this weekend for sure! Thank you!
Reply
- Jillian says
  April 22, 2021 at 6:42 pm
  Vegan Coconut shrimp please?
  Reply
  - Sam Turnbull says
    April 28, 2021 at 9:11 am
    Noted!
- Sam Turnbull says
  April 28, 2021 at 9:10 am
  Thank you so much!! I haven't come up with a shrimp recipe yet, but the ideas are rolling around in my brain 🙂
  Reply

5 from 20 votes (12 ratings without comment)

FAQs

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.

Explore More ›

What is the best oil to sear scallops in? ›

What type of oil should you use to cook scallops? A light, neutral oil with a high smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil will begin to smoke immediately over high heat. Instead, reach for grapeseed oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.

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What does soaking scallops in milk do? ›

Eliminates Mild Fish Odor From Your Scallop

Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent. The milk helps to reduce the intensity of the fish odor, making the scallops more pleasant to cook and easier to consume.

Show Me More ›

Why do some vegans eat scallops? ›

While some vegans choose to include scallops in their diets due to their limited nervous system and unique swimming behavior, others prefer to avoid them to ensure alignment with strict vegan principles.

Tell Me More ›

How to make vegan food taste like seafood? ›

Make vegan seafood with king oyster mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. Also consider using canned hearts of palm, banana blossoms, jackfruit, and artichoke hearts. To mimic the taste and texture of seafood dishes, use chickpeas, watermelon, tomato, and carrots.

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Should you rinse scallops before searing? ›

Give your scallops a quick rinse to remove any grit, then thoroughly pat dry with a few paper towels, as excess moisture will inhibit searing. For added insurance, you can dry your scallops in the fridge for an hour or two before cooking.

Read On ›

Is it better to cook scallops in butter or olive oil? ›

Don't use olive oil to sear your scallops!

I recommend butter as the best option, but you can also use vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil. The cooking times above are for sea scallops, not diver or bay scallops.

Learn More Now ›

Is it better to grill or pan sear scallops? ›

Generally, the best way to cook scallops is searing them. Seared scallops are cooked on the stovetop, usually in a cast iron skillet to get an excellent sear, using butter or oil to get them nice and crispy. The result is a crisp, golden brown exterior with a delicate balance of savory, tender scallops inside.

Learn More ›

Why did my scallops turn out rubbery? ›

A surefire sign that your scallops are undercooked is the color. They tend to look milky white in hue if you haven't successfully seared them off. Another sign is that they are difficult to cut through (via Answer Pantry). Overcooking scallops makes them difficult to eat, becoming rubbery and difficult to chew.

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Why do you have to wash scallops for 10 minutes? ›

Make sure you wash in free running water for at least 10 minutes after shucking, rinsing & trimming to ensure all toxins are effectively removed.

Do you rinse milk off scallops before cooking? ›

Keep the milk-soaked scallops in your fridge for about an hour and drain before using. If you're planning on searing your scallops, make sure to pat them dry of any remaining milk before proceeding.

View Details ›

What can you substitute for scallops? ›

Why King Oyster Mushrooms? The stems of this larger-sized mushroom, when cut correctly, will mimic that of a sea scallop. 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.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the vegetarian equivalent of scallops? ›

King oyster mushrooms have such a beautifully bouncy, meaty texture - just like scallops! They really do feel like a sea side treat, despite being mushrooms! I love how they brown so beautifully when you grill or pan fry them.

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What food is similar to scallops? ›

Scallops are bivalve mollusks featuring a round, saucer-like shell with fluted (or scalloped!) edges. When we eat bivalves like scallops, oysters, clams, and mussels, we're actually eating the adductor muscle inside the shell that helps it hinge open and closed.