Cucumber-Mint Salsa with Seared Scallops

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

Bright, refreshing salsa with cool cucumbers and mint paired with perfectly seared scallops for a light yet satisfying meal. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 21 minutes blends sea scallops, medium cucumber, fresh mint into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs sea scallops
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1/4 cup fresh mint
• 1 lime
• 1 medium avocado
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and opaque in the center. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
3. Step 3: Dice cucumber and avocado, then combine with 1/4 cup chopped mint, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl.
4. Step 4: Slice lime into wedges, then spoon cucumber-mint salsa onto plates and top with seared scallops. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and serve immediately.