Scallops Recipes

You can make restaurant-quality Seared Scallops–perfectly cooked with a golden crust– right from home, with this easy recipe tutorial! Top with a simple garlic butter sauce to spoon over them, and you’ve got a dish to impress!

If you’re looking for an easy Scallops recipe that will impress your dinner party and leave your mouth watering for more, this is it! Good quality scallops are not cheap, so I want to make sure your confidant with exactly how to cook them perfectly! It’s super EASYm especially with my simple tips, and they cook quickly!

scallops recipes

Directions
  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant.
  2. Arrange scallops in a single layer in the skillet; cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. …
  3. Whisk lemon juice, salt, and pepper into butter; pour sauce over scallops to serve.

Seared Scallops

scallops recipes

You can make restaurant-quality Seared Scallops–perfectly cooked with a golden crust– right from home, with this easy recipe tutorial!

Prep: 5min

Total: 15min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 126 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 39 mg, Sodium 553 mg, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 3 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ lbs Sea Scallops*
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Garlic butter for serving ((optional—recipe in notes))

Instruction:

  1. Pat scallops thoroughly dry all over with paper towels. (If necessary, remove the small side muscle from the scallops.) Season them with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add oil and butter. Once hot, add the scallops, spacing them apart so they’re not touching. The oil in the pan should be hot enough that the scallops gently sizzle when added.
  3. Cook for 2 minutes (without touching them), until a golden crust forms on the bottom.
  4. Reduce heat to medium high. Gently flip to the other side and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until golden on bottom and translucent/opaque on the sides.
  5. Scallops cook very quickly, usually in less than 5 minutes, so use the touch test to check for doneness; if they’re done; they should feel firm, with a little bit of bounce. Err on the side of undercooking them, as you can always add them back the pan to cook longer, if needed. Keep in mind they will continue to cook a little as they rest.
  6. Garlic Butter Sauce: Remove cooked scallops from the pan. Add 2 tablespoons butter, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add 3-4 cloves garlic, juice from half a lemon, and ¼ cup white wine, chicken or vegetable broth. Cook for 2 minutes.
  8. Serve sauce over scallops. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Garlic Butter Scallops

scallops recipes

Cooked in 6 minutes, this Garlic Butter Scallops Recipe is the perfect quick dinner. Easy enough for a weeknight meal but fancy enough for entertaining guests! Make this healthy scallop recipe with just 7 simple ingredients.

Prep: 5min

Total: 11min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 /4

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 /4, calories 263 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 23 g, Fat 17 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 77 mg, Sodium 904 mg, unSaturated Fat 7 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb fresh large scallops* (removed the side muscle)
  • Coarse salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp butter (or ghee for Whole30 and paleo)
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp freshly chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instruction:

  1. Remove the scallops from the fridge about 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
  2. Place them on a paper towel-lined cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels.
  3. Season well all sides of the scallops with coarse salt and set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let it heat up for about 2 minutes. When the skillet smokes just a bit, it’s a sign that it’s properly heated.
  5. Add the scallops in a single layer. Please, don’t over crowd the skillet and if it’s necessary, work in batches.
  6. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. They will be golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set it aside.
  7. Add the butter, garlic, fresh parsley and lemon juice. Saute for 1-2 minutes and add the scallops back to the pan and heat through. Enjoy immediately!

12 Easy Scallop Recipes: Seared Scallops & More!

scallops recipes

Here are the tricks to how to cook pan seared scallops and get that perfect brown crust! Follow these simple tips for a fast and easy dinner.

Prep: 10min

Total: 15min

Yield: 4

Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 164 calories, Sugar 0 g, Sodium 467.1 mg, Fat 10.4 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 3.6 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 13.7 g, Cholesterol 34.8 mg

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound sea scallops, thawed if frozen
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instruction:

  1. Thaw the scallops, if frozen (see above).
  2. Brine the scallops: In a shallow dish, mix together 4 cups room temperature water and 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Place the scallops in the water and wait for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove the scallops and dry thoroughly. Lightly season with a several pinches kosher salt.
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. If using a medium skillet, cook the scallops in two batches. Once the oil is hot, add the scallops and cook without turning for 2 to 3 minutes, until an even brown crust clearly forms on bottom.
  5. Flip scallops with tongs. Cook additional 2 to 3 minutes on the other side, until a crust just forms on bottom and the center of the scallop is almost opaque.
  6. Turn off the heat and add the butter. When it melts, spoon the melted butter over the scallops and serve with a squeeze of lemon. Or, go to Lemon Herb Scallop Sauce to make a 2 minute pan sauce.

Scallops | Butter Garlic Scallops Recipe | Seafood

FAQ

What is the best cooking method for scallops?

Generally, the best way to cook scallops is searing them. Seared scallops are cooked on the stovetop, usually in a cast iron skillet to get an excellent sear, using butter or oil to get them nice and crispy. The result is a crisp, golden brown exterior with a delicate balance of savory, tender scallops inside.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking?

Why do you soak them in milk? Milk will help tenderize these and get rid of their fishy taste and odor. It can also help get rid of extra particles of sand. To do this, rinse them with cold water and then soak them for one hour and then blot them dry as directed above.

What do you pair with scallops?

Check out these top five side dishes to serve with scallops.
  • Rice. You may already know that rice is a simple, and easy side dish that goes with just about anything. …
  • Pasta. There are oh-so-many ways to use pasta as a side dish. …
  • Potatoes. …
  • Greens. …
  • Peas & Beans.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook perfect scallops?

Do You Wash Scallops? Once a scallop is shucked, it requires only a good rinse with cool water. Be sure to remove the little side muscle, an oblong flap of tissue that’s easily cut or pulled away. Pat the scallops dry before cooking.

Do you rinse scallops before cooking?

I recommend butter as the best option, but you can also use vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil. The cooking times above are for sea scallops, not diver or bay scallops. If you’d like a simple lemon butter sauce, pour out any extra brown butter from your pan after searing scallops, leaving the drippings.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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