Description
These Lemon Butter Scallops are rich, buttery, bright, and packed with fresh seafood flavor in every bite. Perfectly seared sea scallops are cooked until golden brown, then finished in a silky garlic lemon butter sauce that tastes restaurant-quality while being surprisingly easy to make at home. This easy seafood dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals, elegant dinner ideas, special occasions, or impressive date night recipes. Serve these juicy scallops with pasta, rice, vegetables, or crusty bread for one of the best easy seafood recipes you’ll ever make.
Ingredients
1 pound sea scallops
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Pat the scallops completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
3. Place the scallops into the skillet in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
4. Sear the scallops for 2 minutes without moving them until a golden crust forms.
5. Flip the scallops and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until opaque and tender.
6. Lower the heat slightly and add butter to the skillet.
7. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
8. Add lemon juice and lemon zest, stirring to combine the sauce.
9. Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the scallops.
10. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes before serving immediately.
Notes
Use dry sea scallops for the best golden crust and flavor.
Always pat scallops very dry before cooking to prevent steaming.
Do not overcrowd the pan or the scallops will not sear properly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Seafood Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: lemon butter scallops, easy seafood dinner, garlic butter scallops, quick seafood recipe, scallop dinner ideas, seafood recipes, easy dinner recipe