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Pan Seared Garlic Butter Scallops

Pan Seared Garlic Butter Scallops
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Juicy, flavorful Pan Seared Garlic Butter Scallops with a crispy golden crust, featuring tender scallops cooked to perfection and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. This quick and easy restaurant-quality recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, combining fresh scallops, fragrant garlic, and bright herbs for an impressive and delicious seafood dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 fresh sea scallops (dry-packed, without preservative gels)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Scallops: Pat your fresh scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a golden crust. Remove the small side muscle if still attached, then season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat Your Pan: Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet (stainless steel or cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and allow it to shimmer but not smoke, creating the perfect searing temperature.
  3. Sear the Scallops: Gently place scallops into the hot pan with space between each. Cook without moving for about 2 minutes until a deep golden crust forms. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until opaque and tender inside.
  4. Add Garlic Butter: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Spoon the garlic butter repeatedly over the scallops for about a minute, allowing the rich flavors to soak in.
  5. Finish with Herbs and Lemon: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the scallops and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top just before removing them from heat. This step adds brightness and a fresh herbal aroma.

Notes

  • Dry scallops are essential to achieve a perfect sear; wet scallops will steam instead.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan to prevent steaming and ensure caramelization.
  • Cook scallops quickly over high heat to keep them juicy and tender.
  • Use unsalted butter to control seasoning and avoid over-salting the dish.
  • Continuously baste scallops with garlic butter in the final step for enhanced moisture and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pan seared scallops, garlic butter scallops, quick seafood recipe, easy scallops, restaurant-quality scallops, gluten-free scallops

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/pan-seared-garlic-butter-scallops/