Print

Garlic Butter Scallops with Lemon

Close-up of perfectly seared Garlic Butter Scallops with Lemon, glistening in butter sauce and topped with fresh parsley.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make restaurant-quality pan-seared sea scallops coated in a rich garlic lemon butter sauce. This quick recipe yields tender, perfectly browned scallops.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large sea scallops, muscle removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the scallops completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Place the scallops in the hot skillet, ensuring they do not touch. Sear for 2 to 3 minutes without moving them until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
  4. Flip the scallops and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are opaque throughout and firm to the touch. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  6. Pour in the white wine or broth and let it simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the liquid reduces slightly, about 1 minute.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
  8. Return the cooked scallops to the skillet and gently toss them in the garlic butter sauce to coat.
  9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For the best sear, make sure your scallops are very dry before they hit the hot pan.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to maintain high heat.
  • If you use bay scallops, reduce the cooking time to 1 minute per side.
  • Serve these scallops over pasta, rice, or with roasted asparagus.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/garlic-butter-scallops-with-lemon/