Sizzling Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops Recipe for Fresh Flavor

Lemon garlic butter scallops dance with elegant simplicity on dinner plates across coastal kitchens.

Seafood enthusiasts adore these delicate marine treasures for their tender, mild flavor profile.

Culinary magic happens when fresh ingredients combine with precise cooking techniques.

Succulent shellfish refine into restaurant-quality fare through careful seasoning and quick searing methods.

Sophisticated yet surprisingly straightforward, this recipe promises restaurant-level deliciousness right in your home kitchen.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the swift preparation and impressive presentation of these golden-edged delicacies.

Mastering these scallops requires minimal skill but delivers maximum gastronomic satisfaction.

Seared Scallops in Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• Savor Quick Gourmet Seafood: Whip up restaurant-quality scallops in just 10 minutes with minimal ingredients and professional-level cooking techniques.
• Enjoy Luxurious Texture Contrast: Experience perfectly golden-crusted exterior with tender, delicate inner scallop meat that melts smoothly in your mouth.
• Create Versatile Meal Solution: Easily adaptable dish that pairs beautifully with multiple side options like rice, pasta, or vegetables, making it ideal for spontaneous weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining.
• Master Simple Elegant Cooking: Learn professional searing method that transforms humble scallops into a sophisticated meal with just salt, pepper, butter, and lemon- proving gourmet cooking doesn't require complicated skills.

Chef’s Tips for Tender, Juicy Scallops

• Pat Scallops Bone-Dry: Remove excess moisture completely with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Create Searing Space: Avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking scallops in a single layer, allowing each scallop to develop a beautiful caramelized crust without steaming.
• Watch Cooking Time Closely: Cook scallops for exactly 2-3 minutes per side; overcooking leads to rubbery, tough texture that ruins the delicate seafood's natural sweetness.
• Use High Heat Wisely: Maintain medium-high heat to create a gorgeous golden crust while keeping the inside tender and translucent.
• Flavor-Building Technique: Scrape up those delicious browned bits from the pan when making the sauce to maximize depth of flavor and capture all the caramelized goodness.

Storing & Reheating Lemon Garlic Scallops

• Refrigeration: Seal scallops in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep sauce separate to prevent soggy texture.
• Gentle Reheating: Warm scallops slowly in a skillet over low heat with a touch of butter, stirring carefully to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking.
• Avoid Microwave: Never microwave scallops as they quickly become rubbery and lose their delicate texture. Opt for stovetop reheating for best results.

Wine & Side Pairings for Scallops

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair these buttery scallops with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. The wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness of the butter and complements the delicate seafood flavor.
• Create a Luxurious Side Companion: Serve alongside creamy parmesan risotto or garlic-roasted asparagus. These sides enhance the scallops' delicate texture and absorb the lemon-garlic butter sauce beautifully.
• Match with Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or add a small microgreen salad. The herbs provide a fresh, light contrast to the rich, buttery scallops and add a vibrant pop of color to the plate.
• Balance with Crusty Bread: Offer a slice of toasted sourdough or french baguette. The bread becomes the perfect vehicle for soaking up the remaining lemon-garlic butter sauce, ensuring no delicious flavor goes to waste.

Variations on Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops

• Spicy Chili Scallop Sizzle: Replace wine with white tequila and add red chili flakes or diced jalapeños for a bold, fiery kick that transforms the delicate seafood into a zesty sensation.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap butter with olive oil, incorporate fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Use white wine and add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired coastal flavor profile.
• Asian Umami Scallop Glaze: Substitute lemon juice with rice vinegar, add soy sauce, minced ginger, and a touch of honey. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for an east Asian-inspired rendition that elevates the scallops' natural sweetness.
• Provençal Coastal Blend: Infuse the pan with diced shallots, incorporate dry white wine from French regions, add herbes de Provence, and finish with a splash of cognac for a sophisticated French coastal interpretation.

Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops

• Scallops: Delicate and tender seafood that cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with rich sauces.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provides rich flavor base and helps create a silky, luxurious sauce.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic warmth and essential flavor to the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural sweetness of scallops.
• White Wine or Broth: Adds complexity and helps create a light, flavorful pan sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy acidity to balance the rich seafood.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color, light herbaceous notes, and visual appeal to the final dish.

Pan‑Seared Scallop Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Scallops

Thaw frozen scallops in cold water. Remove side muscle if present. Use paper towels to completely dry scallops, ensuring a perfect golden sear.

Step 2: Sear Scallops to Perfection

• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook for 2-3 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip and cook additional 2 minutes until edges become crisp and center turns opaque. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and scrape up delicious browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook until aromatic (about 1 minute).

Step 4: Develop Sauce Flavor

• Remaining butter
• Fresh lemon juice

Step 5: Finish and Warm Scallops

Remove skillet from heat. Return scallops to pan, gently warming them in the sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Steamed rice
• Pasta
• Garlic bread
• Roasted vegetables

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 254 kcal | Servings: 4

Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent lemon garlic butter scallops showcase ocean-fresh seafood kissed with zesty citrus and rich buttery notes. Mediterranean-inspired elegance meets simple home cooking, promising delicate scallops that melt effortlessly on your plate with irresistible Mediterranean charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.25 pounds (600 grams) scallops
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4–5 large garlic cloves (or 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic)

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.25 cup dry white wine or broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Garnish:

• 0.25 cup chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. If scallops are frozen, defrost them gently in cold water. Carefully remove any side muscle and use clean paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring a perfect sear.
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil until it shimmers with intensity. Arrange scallops in a single, uncrowded layer to guarantee even caramelization.
3. Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper, then sear for approximately 2-3 minutes until a rich golden crust develops. Flip each scallop and cook an additional 2 minutes, creating a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
4. Transfer seared scallops to a separate plate. In the same skillet, melt butter and gently scrape the flavorful browned bits from the pan’s surface.
5. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for roughly one minute, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
6. Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce by half, concentrating the flavors and creating a luxurious sauce.
7. Incorporate remaining butter and fresh lemon juice, whisking to create a silky, bright sauce.
8. Return scallops to the skillet, gently warming them in the sauce and coating them with the rich, zesty glaze.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately over rice, pasta, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or zucchini noodles.

Notes

• Master key to success: perfectly dry scallops ensure a golden crispy exterior that seals in delicate flavors.
• Handling seafood requires gentle care and quick cooking to preserve tender texture and prevent rubbery results.
• Quick high-heat searing creates restaurant-quality dish that transforms simple ingredients into gourmet experience within minutes.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg