Description
Succulent garlic lemon butter seared scallops deliver Mediterranean coastal elegance on a plate. Delicate shellfish shine with simple ingredients, creating restaurant-quality seafood magic in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lbs sea scallops (side muscles removed)
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1–2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1.5 tbsps olive or canola oil
- 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Meticulously dry scallops using paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, enabling a perfect golden sear. Lightly sprinkle sea salt across the surface.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking, approximately 2-3 minutes. Carefully place scallops into the pan, maintaining spacing between each piece to prevent steaming.
- Sear scallops for precisely 90 seconds on each side, developing a rich caramelized exterior. Remove scallops and transfer to a separate plate once golden brown.
- Reduce heat to low and add remaining butter to the same skillet. Introduce minced garlic, stirring continuously until aromatic and fragrant, about 45-60 seconds.
- Pour fresh lemon juice into the skillet, creating a vibrant sauce that captures the garlic’s essence. Gently swirl to combine butter and lemon.
- Return seared scallops to the skillet, coating them thoroughly with the garlic-lemon butter. Warm for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring even sauce distribution.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling chopped parsley, adjusting seasoning with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately while the scallops remain warm and succulent.
Notes
- Pat scallops thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfect golden-brown sear and preventing steaming instead of browning.
- Use a hot cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to create an ideal crispy exterior while maintaining a tender, delicate interior.
- For dairy-free alternatives, replace butter with high-heat neutral oils like avocado or grapeseed oil, maintaining the same searing technique.
- Choose fresh, dry-packed scallops without preservatives for the most authentic flavor and best searing results, avoiding watery or chemically treated seafood.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 164 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg