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Pan Seared Garlic Butter Scallops

A simple yet elegant dish that highlights the natural sweetness of scallops with a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound Fresh sea scallops (dry-packed) About 12 scallops
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves Fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
  • Salt To taste
  • Black pepper To taste
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice For balancing richness

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a perfect sear.
  2. Season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Place scallops in the pan, ensuring space between them, and sear for about 2-3 minutes until deep golden brown.
  3. Flip the scallops and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until just opaque and firm to the touch.
  4. Push scallops to the side, add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the center of the pan.
  5. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant and the butter starts to brown slightly.
  6. Remove from heat, spoon garlic butter over the scallops, sprinkle with parsley and lemon juice.

Notes

Serve immediately for best taste and texture. Pair with steamed vegetables, garlic bread, or a fresh salad. For a variation, add a splash of white wine to the pan after removing the scallops.