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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for roughly one minute, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
- Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce by half, concentrating the flavors and creating a luxurious sauce.
- Incorporate remaining butter and fresh lemon juice, whisking to create a silky, bright sauce.
- Return scallops to the skillet, gently warming them in the sauce and coating them with the rich, zesty glaze.
- 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