Description
Succulent lemon garlic butter scallops create a luxurious seafood experience with minimal preparation. Mediterranean coastal flavors combine delicate scallops, rich butter, and zesty citrus for a restaurant-quality dish home cooks can easily master.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 pounds (600 grams) scallops
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 4–5 large garlic cloves (or 1.5 tbsps minced garlic)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 0.25 cup dry white wine or broth
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 0.25 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preparation: Thaw frozen scallops in cold water, delicately remove side muscle, and pat dry with paper towels to ensure optimal searing potential.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Arrange scallops in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip and sear for an additional 2 minutes, achieving a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender core.
- Sauce Creation: Remove scallops and deglaze the skillet with wine or broth, scraping up browned bits. Introduce minced garlic and reduce liquid by half. Whisk in butter and lemon juice to craft a silky, aromatic sauce.
- Finishing Touch: Gently return scallops to the skillet, coating them in the vibrant sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately alongside rice, pasta, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or zucchini noodles.
Notes
- Defrost with Care: Use cold water for gentle thawing and pat scallops completely dry to achieve a perfect golden sear.
- Preheating is Crucial: Ensure skillet reaches medium-high heat with shimmering olive oil before adding scallops for optimal caramelization.
- Master the Sear: Cook scallops 2-3 minutes per side, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the center tender and succulent.
- Sauce Magic: Deglaze pan with wine or broth, reduce by half, and whisk in butter and lemon juice for a luxurious, bright finish that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg