Name: Japanese Miso Butter Scallops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon miso paste; 1 tablespoon sake; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable); 0.5 pound sea scallops, patted dry; 1 teaspoon water (optional, for thinning the sauce); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Recipes

Japanese Miso Butter Scallops

Jul 17, 2025
by Abel Kozey
- 5.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

5 mins
COOK TIME

10 mins
TOTAL TIME

15 mins
SERVING

2 People
VIEWS

3

Succulent sea scallops bathed in a rich, umami-packed miso butter sauce – a delightful Japanese-inspired dish that's surprisingly quick and easy to prepare.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 tablespoon miso paste

1 tablespoon sake

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable)

0.5 pound sea scallops, patted dry

1 teaspoon water (optional, for thinning the sauce)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

14 g
Cholesterol

69 mg
Fiber

1 g
Protein

17 g
Saturated Fat

7 g
Sodium

924 mg
Sugar

3 g
Fat

23 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste, sake, soy sauce, and sugar until well combined. Set aside. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

02

Step

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the scallops to the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Sear for 3-4 minutes, until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom. (Cook time: 3-4 minutes)

03

Step

Flip the scallops and cook for an additional minute, or until they are opaque and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become rubbery. (Cook time: 1 minute)

04

Step

Reduce the heat to low and let the skillet cool slightly for about 1 minute to prevent the miso from burning. Pour the miso sauce over the scallops and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, to reach the desired consistency. (Cook time: 3 minutes)

05

Step

Stir in the butter until it is melted and the sauce is glossy and emulsified. (Cook time: 1 minute)

06

Step

Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

Patting the scallops dry before searing is crucial for achieving a good sear. Excess moisture will steam the scallops instead of allowing them to brown.
Don't overcrowd the pan! If necessary, cook the scallops in batches to ensure they sear properly.
Be careful not to burn the miso sauce. Reducing the heat to low before adding the sauce will help prevent this.
For a richer flavor, use red miso paste. For a milder flavor, use white miso paste.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Abel Kozey

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