It's important to thaw frozen scallops to prevent them from changing from a delicate texture to a tough one.The best way to thaw the frozen scallops is to put them in the fridge.If you have time, you can either run them under cool water or microwave them to speed up the process.
Step 1: The best way to defrost your scallops is in the fridge.
If you allow your frozen scallops to thaw in the refrigerator, you will get the best-tasting scallops.There is almost no chance that the frozen scallops will be damaged or contaminated during the thawing process.It takes a full day to thaw your scallops in the refrigerator, so make sure you plan ahead and give yourself enough time to fully thaw them.
Step 2: The refrigerator should be set to 37 F.
The temperature of your refrigerator is the most important part of allowing your scallops to thaw.The best temperature for frozen scallops is 37 F, so adjust your refrigerator's temperature accordingly.
Step 3: Place the scallops in a large bowl.
The bowl has to be large enough to hold all of the scallops.There needs to be enough room for the water to form from the melting ice around the scallops.The bowl is about 34 of the way full if you arrange the scallops so that they are in the packages.If you have too many scallops, use another bowl.
Step 4: Wrap the bowl in plastic.
The scallops are at risk of becoming contaminated if they thaw slowly.Wrap the bowl in plastic to keep the scallops out of the fridge.If your bowl has a lid, you can use it to cover the scallops.
Step 5: There is a bowl of scallops in the refrigerator.
Put the bowl of scallops on a low shelf in the refrigerator to keep them from coming into contact with other food.Unless the temperature is set to 37 F, don't put the bowl in a drawer.
Step 6: Allow the scallops to thaw out for 24 hours.
Before you check the bowl of scallops, put them in your refrigerator for a full day.If you touch the center of the scallops with your finger, they will thaw out.They should not be frozen.If they are cooked before they have fully defrosted, they can take on a rubbery, chewy texture.After 24 hours, cover your scallops with plastic wrap and put them back in the refrigerator for another 6 hours.
Step 7: Cool water can be used to thaw your frozen scallops.
If you don't have time to let your frozen scallops thaw on their own in your refrigerator, you can use cool water to speed up the process.There is no risk of cooking the scallops with cool water.The frozen scallops may be a little harder to cook.
Step 8: The frozen scallops need to be put in a bag.
It is important that the scallops do not come into contact with the water.Take the scallops out of their packaging and put them in a plastic bag.The bag should be sealed to prevent your scallops from getting wet.
Step 9: There is a bag of frozen scallops in the bowl.
The bowl needs to be large enough to hold the bag of scallops and enough water to surround it.Make sure the bowl is clean before you put your food in it.
Step 10: Put the bowl in the sink with cold tap water.
The bag of frozen scallops should be moved around a little while the bowl is filled with water to make sure it doesn't stick to the side.The water needs to be about 10 C in order to thaw the frozen scallops.To cover the bag, fill the bowl with water.If you overfill the bowl, keep it in the sink.
Step 11: For 30 minutes, replace the water every 10 minutes.
Once the bowl is full, turn off the tap.After 10 minutes, empty the water from the bowl and fill it with cool water.If you touch the scallops with your finger, they will thaw out.They should be soft with no frozen parts.It takes about 30 minutes to thaw the scallops.If the frozen scallops have frozen, make sure the bag is resealed.Do not refreeze the scallops.
Step 12: If you're in a hurry, use a microwave.
scallops are very fragile and will start to cook if you use a standard setting to thaw them in a microwave.If it has a defrost setting, you should check your microwave.When they are cooked, scallops that have been cooked in a microwave can be tougher.
Step 13: Place the frozen scallops in a bowl.
The water that will form from the melting ice around the frozen scallops can be contained in porcelain or glass containers with high sides.Place the scallops in the bowl.A large bowl is enough to hold all of your scallops.
Step 14: The bowl should be covered with a paper towel.
If you want to reduce the risk of cooking your scallops in the microwave, use a thick paper towel to cover the top of your bowl.The paper towel can help absorb steam that could change the texture of the scallops.Thin paper towels can get soaked if they come into contact with the scallops.The three-ply paper towel is thick.
Step 15: The scallops can be microwaved for two 30-second segments.
If you cook the scallops, use short, 30 second increment to microwave-defrost them.After 30 seconds is up, pull out the bowl and check to see if the scallops have fully defrosted by touching them with your finger.There should be no remaining frozen parts.Continue the process until your scallops are completely defrosted.If you want to cook the meat, do not microwave it for more than four 30-second segments.