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Savory Garlic Butter Scallops

garlic butter scallops - featured image

A quick and easy recipe featuring sea scallops seared to a golden crust and served with a rich, herb-infused garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) sea scallops, patted dry
  • 4 tablespoons (about 60g) unsalted butter
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse scallops under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. In your skillet, melt 3 tablespoons (45g) of butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Let this gently bubble for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Avoid browning the garlic too much. (5 minutes)
  3. Increase heat to medium-high and add the olive oil to the herb butter mixture. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place scallops in the pan, leaving space between each. Cook undisturbed for 1.5 to 2 minutes until the bottom is a deep golden brown. Flip scallops gently and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and firm but still tender. (5 minutes)
  4. Remove the scallops to a warm plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon (15g) butter and fresh lemon juice to the skillet, swirling to combine with the herb butter. Spoon this sauce over scallops before serving. (2 minutes)
  5. Taste the sauce, adjust salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and freshness. (1 minute)

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure a good sear; sear scallops in batches if needed. Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning garlic. Use European-style butter for richer flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and add coconut cream for silkiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: scallops, garlic butter scallops, seafood recipe, quick dinner, herb-infused sauce, easy scallops, low-carb, gluten-free