Description
A quick and elegant Pan Seared Garlic Butter Scallops recipe that delivers tender, juicy scallops coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for busy nights or special occasions and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 large sea scallops, fresh or thawed, patted dry
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Scallops: Rinse the scallops under cold water and gently pat them completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is key for a perfect golden sear.
- Season the Scallops: Lightly season both sides of each scallop with salt and freshly ground black pepper to let their natural sweetness shine through.
- Heat the Pan: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking before adding scallops for a crisp, caramelized surface.
- Sear the Scallops: Carefully place scallops in the pan, leaving space between each. Cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding for even searing.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic to the same pan. Stir gently, letting butter melt and garlic soften without burning, creating an aromatic sauce to coat the scallops.
- Finish and Garnish: Spoon garlic butter sauce over scallops, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, and optionally squeeze lemon juice for a refreshing finish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Dry scallops thoroughly to ensure a crispy sear instead of steaming.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; sear in batches if necessary for even caramelization.
- Use high heat to achieve a signature crust while keeping the inside tender.
- Add butter after scallops are mostly cooked to prevent garlic from burning.
- Serve scallops immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan Seared
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 scallops
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg