Pan Seared Scallops with Garlic, Lemon, and Parsley Recipe
This Pan Seared Scallops recipe delivers perfectly golden, tender scallops with a flavorful garlic butter sauce and a hint of fresh lemon. Ideal for an elegant yet simple seafood dish that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Scallops
- 1 pound fresh sea scallops
Seasoning and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the scallops: Rinse the scallops under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear without steaming.
- Season the scallops: Generously season both sides of the scallops with salt and pepper to flavor them evenly.
- Heat the pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and heat the olive oil until it shimmers to ensure a hot cooking surface.
- Sear the scallops: Add the scallops to the skillet without overcrowding, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms develop a golden-brown crust.
- Flip and baste: Gently flip the scallops using tongs or a spatula, add the butter and minced garlic to the pan, and baste the scallops with the melted butter and garlic for another 2 minutes to infuse flavor and complete cooking.
- Finish and serve: Remove the pan from heat, drizzle the scallops with freshly squeezed lemon juice, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Make sure scallops are completely dry before cooking to achieve the best sear.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming; cook in batches if necessary.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and should be added just before serving.
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Serve immediately as scallops tend to overcook and become rubbery if left resting too long.
Keywords: pan seared scallops, garlic butter scallops, quick seafood recipe, easy scallop dinner
