Description
Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops are a show-stopping dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. With their golden-brown crust, succulent texture, and aromatic lemon garlic butter sauce, these scallops are perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties or enjoying a special meal at home. This easy-to-follow recipe ensures restaurant-quality results every time, making it ideal for both novice and experienced cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound sea scallops
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect sear. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter until sizzling.
- Sear scallops for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and opaque.
- Lower the heat, then add minced garlic and remaining butter; cook for an additional minute.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the scallops, stirring gently to combine flavors.
- Plate scallops elegantly, garnishing with chopped parsley and lemon zest before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 scallops (approximately 120g)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Use dry sea scallops for the best flavor and texture. For a lighter version, substitute olive oil for some or all of the butter. Enhance the sauce with a splash of white wine or fresh herbs like thyme.