Use in Moderation
Scallops
2.70g net carbs per 3 oz
Those 2.7 g of net carbs in a 3 oz portion are easy to overlook, but scallops carry natural carbs that most shellfish skip, which is why they land in the limit column. Stick to one serving and pan-sear them in butter or olive oil to bump up the fat, since 0.4 g on its own won't do much for your macros.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated July 2026
Nutrition Facts
Fits My Daily Budget?
Set your daily net carb limit to see how one serving fits.
One serving uses 14% of your 20g daily budget.
Plan the rest of your day
Good to Know
Sea scallops run larger than the tiny bay variety, but both carry the same modest carb load per ounce. Restaurant versions are where things get tricky, since they're often pan-seared in a sweet glaze or dusted with flour before hitting the pan, both of which pile on carbs that raw scallops never had. Buy them "dry" rather than "wet" if you can, because wet-packed ones are soaked in a sodium tripolyphosphate solution that adds water weight and can mess with a clean sear.
Is Scallops Keto? The Full Answer
Scallops contains 2.70g net carbs per 3 oz (2.70g total carbs minus 0.00g fiber). Those 2.7 g of net carbs in a 3 oz portion are easy to overlook, but scallops carry natural carbs that most shellfish skip, which is why they land in the limit column. Stick to one serving and pan-sear them in butter or olive oil to bump up the fat, since 0.4 g on its own won't do much for your macros.
On a standard ketogenic diet, most people target 20-25g net carbs per day. A single serving uses 14% of a 20g daily carb limit. Track your portions carefully and account for other carbs in your meals.
Better Keto Swaps
Scallops aren't bad, but at 2.7 g net carbs per 3 oz they're higher than most seafood, so swap them when you want zero-carb protein. Shrimp is the closest match in texture and cooks just as fast, with about 0 g net carbs per 3 oz. Wild-caught salmon brings 0 g net carbs and a big dose of fat (around 11 g per 3 oz), which fits keto better than the very lean scallop. Cod is another option at roughly 0 g net carbs per 3 oz if you want something mild and flaky for searing or baking.
Track Your Ketone Levels
The Keto-Mojo meter is the gold standard for confirming you're actually in ketosis. Know your numbers - don't guess.