Lemon Butter Seared Scallops 

This Lemon Butter Seared Scallops recipe is a simple yet elegant dish that is perfect for any special occasion.

The scallops are seared to perfection in a hot skillet with a tangy lemon butter sauce that gives them a deliciously fresh and bright flavor. To make the dish, you start by searing the scallops in a hot skillet with olive oil until they're golden brown and caramelized. Then, you make the lemon butter sauce by melting butter in the same skillet and adding garlic (or garlic powder), lemon juice, and parsley. The sauce is simmered until it's reduced and thickened, the scallops are added to the skillet to sear for an incredibly flavorful finish.

This recipe is perfect for those who love seafood and are looking for a quick and easy way to prepare scallops that's also delicious. The lemon butter sauce gives the scallops a bright and fresh flavor that perfectly complements their natural sweetness, while the searing gives them a caramelized texture that adds depth to the dish. It's also a great way to impress your guests with a gourmet-quality meal that's simple to make but looks and tastes like it took hours. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Lemon Butter Seared Scallops recipe is sure to become a new favorite.

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5 from 3 votes

Lemon Butter Seared Scallops

Scallops cook incredibly quick. You don’t want to over cook them as they will become chewy and tough. They will turn opaque when done.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Seafood

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 157kcal

Author: Ned Adams

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Equipment

• ▢
  12" cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Scallops

• ▢ 1 lb scallops side muscle removed
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 2 tablespoon butter

Lemon Butter Sauce

• ▢ 4 tablespoon salted butter
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
• ▢ ⅕ teaspoon red pepper flakes

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Instructions

• Add butter to the skillet over medium high heat.
• Pat scallops dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Sear the scallops, about 2 minutes per side. Cook scallops in batches, transferring scallops to a plate.
• Once all the scallops have been seared add the remaining butter, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice to the now empty skillet.
• Bring it to a quick simmer then remove from heat.
• Return the scallops to the skillet, into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the top to coat them. Serve immediately.

Notes

Variations and adaptations

• Add different fresh herbs like thyme, dill, tarragon, or basil.
• Swap the fresh lemon juice for a crisp white wine.
• Seasoning blends like cajun or creole, herbs de Provence, or Montreal blend.
• Add some freshly chopped, chives, shallots, green onions, or even leeks to the sauce.
• Swap some of the butter for bacon renderings. Olive oil and avocado oil can also be used.
• Let our Chili Lime Shrimp tacos inspire a scallops version.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 429IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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