Easy Seared Scallops With Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe in 20 Minutes

Seared scallops dance with elegance on dinner plates, promising a culinary experience that upgrades ordinary meals into extraordinary moments.

These delicate marine treasures capture the essence of refined seafood preparation with their golden-brown exterior and tender interior.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the magical simplicity of creating restaurant-quality dishes in mere minutes.

The combination of fresh scallops, zesty lemon, and rich butter creates a symphony of flavors that tantalize taste buds and elevate dining experiences.

Precision matters when cooking these exquisite shellfish, requiring careful attention to heat and timing to achieve perfect caramelization.

Skillful technique separates mediocre preparations from truly memorable seafood encounters, making each bite a celebration of maritime cuisine.

You’ll find this recipe surprisingly straightforward yet impressively sophisticated.

Reheating Tomato Pasta the Right Way

• Create Golden Crusts: The searing technique transforms scallops into delectable morsels with an irresistible golden-brown exterior that provides a delightful crunch while keeping the inside tender and succulent.
• Speed and Simplicity: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want an impressive yet quick meal without complicated techniques.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of buttery, garlicky sauce with bright lemon and fresh parsley creates a harmonious blend that elevates the delicate sweetness of perfectly cooked scallops, offering a sophisticated taste experience in every bite.
• Versatile Elegance: Suitable for both romantic dinners and quick weeknight meals, these seared scallops can be paired with various sides like risotto, pasta, or a crisp salad, making them an incredibly adaptable dish for different occasions.

Sides for Tomato Pasta

Main Ingredients:

• Scallops: Fresh sea scallops with delicate sweet flavor, best when dry-packed and large with creamy white color.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Perfect combination for high-heat searing with rich flavor and proper browning.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Garlic: Adds depth and pungent flavor to complement seafood, best when freshly minced.

• Lemon Juice, Fresh Parsley: Bright citrus element to cut through richness and add fresh herbal notes.

• Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing natural scallop flavor and creating balanced seasoning.

Switch-Ups for Tomato Pasta

Step 1: Get Scallops Ready

Grab fresh scallops and gently pat them completely dry using paper towels. Ensure each scallop is moisture-free for a perfect golden exterior. Sprinkle a light layer of sea salt across the surface just before cooking.

Step 2: Create Sizzling Sear

• Olive oil
• Butter

Let the mixture heat until it’s super hot and almost smoking. Carefully place scallops into the pan without overcrowding. Cook in separate batches if needed. Sear each side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until a beautiful golden crust develops. Transfer cooked scallops to a clean plate.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Butter Sauce

Clean the skillet and reduce heat to low. Melt remaining butter. Toss in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in fresh lemon juice and stir gently.

Step 4: Finish and Plate

Return scallops to the skillet. Warm them for 1-2 minutes, turning to coat with lemon butter sauce. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, add a pinch of salt and pepper. Serve immediately while hot and bursting with flavor.

Perfecting Seared Scallops with a Touch of Lemon Garlic Butter

• Pat Dry Perfectly: Use clean paper towels to absorb every drop of moisture from scallops, ensuring a crispy golden-brown exterior when seared.
• Choose High-Quality Scallops: Select fresh, dry-packed sea scallops with a creamy white color and slightly sweet ocean smell for the best flavor and texture.
• Master the Heat: Use a heavy-bottomed pan like cast iron to distribute heat evenly and create that beautiful caramelized crust without burning the delicate seafood.
• Space Matters: Leave enough room between scallops in the pan to prevent steaming; overcrowding will prevent proper searing and result in soggy texture.
• Timing is Critical: Cook scallops for exactly 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side to achieve a golden crust while maintaining a tender, translucent center that melts in your mouth.

What Makes Garlic Scallops Special

• Refrigerate leftover scallops in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for best quality. Reheating requires gentle treatment to prevent rubbery texture. Warm scallops briefly in a skillet over low heat with a touch of butter, turning carefully to maintain their delicate texture. Alternatively, microwave on 50% power for 30-45 seconds, checking frequently to prevent overcooking. Avoid freezing cooked scallops, as they will lose their tender texture and become tough when thawed.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Scallops

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a vibrant sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the delicate scallop flavor and cuts through the rich butter sauce with its bright, zesty acidity.
• Match with Light Salad Side: Create a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to enhance the citrus notes in the dish, providing a fresh and peppery contrast to the buttery scallops.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Choose a rustic sourdough or french baguette to soak up the luxurious lemon garlic butter sauce, transforming each bite into a more indulgent experience.
• Recommend Chardonnay Alternative: For wine lovers seeking a richer profile, an unoaked chardonnay offers a smooth, balanced accompaniment that won't overpower the scallops' delicate texture.

How to Cook Garlic Scallops

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Enhance the scallops by coating them with a blend of dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary before searing, creating a fragrant Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Spicy Asian Kick: Add a tablespoon of sriracha or gochujang to the butter sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for a bold Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Bacon-Wrapped Indulgence: Wrap each scallop with a thin slice of crispy bacon before searing, adding a smoky and rich dimension to the classic recipe.
• Creamy White Wine Upgrade: Deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine after searing the scallops, then stir in a touch of heavy cream to create a luxurious sauce that complements the seafood perfectly.

Seared Scallops With Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Seared Scallops with Lemon Garlic Butter elevate seafood dining to an elegant experience. Delicate scallops meet rich, zesty butter sauce, creating a Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for intimate dinners or special occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.25 pounds (567 grams) sea scallops, side muscle removed

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

• 1.5 tablespoons (22 milliliters) olive oil or canola oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
• Salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dry the scallops using clean paper towels, removing all excess moisture to guarantee a perfect golden-brown crust. Season gently with sea salt moments before cooking.
2. Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add olive oil and unsalted butter, allowing the mixture to become extremely hot but not burning.
3. Carefully place the scallops into the skillet, maintaining space between each one to prevent steaming. Cook undisturbed for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until a rich caramelized exterior develops.
4. Flip each scallop using tongs, searing the opposite side for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until achieving a deep golden color. Transfer the cooked scallops to a clean warm plate.
5. Reduce the skillet’s heat to low, gently wiping away any burnt residue. Melt the remaining of unsalted butter, introducing finely minced garlic and stirring continuously.
6. Once the garlic releases its aromatic essence (approximately 30-45 seconds), pour in fresh lemon juice, creating a fragrant, silky sauce.
7. Reintroduce the seared scallops into the buttery garlic sauce, gently turning to coat each piece evenly and warming them for 1 minute.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, a delicate sprinkle of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately while the scallops remain tender and the sauce glistens.

Notes

• Select plump, fresh sea scallops with a creamy white color and slightly sweet ocean aroma for the best results.
• Pat scallops completely dry to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron to distribute heat evenly and create a beautiful caramelized exterior.
• Cook scallops in small batches to maintain high pan temperature and prevent overcrowding that leads to soggy texture.
• Avoid moving scallops while searing to develop a crispy, restaurant-quality golden crust on each side.
• Serve immediately after coating with lemon garlic butter to preserve the delicate texture and optimal temperature.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg