Lemon Butter Sea Scallops (Printable)

Seared scallops in a bright lemon butter sauce with garlic and fresh parsley.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large sea scallops, patted dry

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
03 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

10 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Steps:

01 - Pat scallops thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
03 - Add scallops in a single layer without overcrowding the skillet; cook in batches if necessary. Sear undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until just opaque. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Pour in wine or broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while scraping up any browned bits until slightly reduced.
06 - Return scallops and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the scallops and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
  • Restaurant-quality results with simple techniques
  • Naturally pescatarian and gluten-free
  • Light yet satisfying, perfect for spring and summer
  • Impressive enough for entertaining, easy enough for weeknights
  • Vibrant lemon butter sauce complements the sweet scallops beautifully
02 -
  • Buy dry-packed scallops if possible—they haven't been treated with preservatives and will sear better
  • Remove scallops from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • Don't skip deglazing the pan—those browned bits add incredible depth to the sauce
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid bitter white pith
  • Cook scallops just until opaque in the center—overcooking makes them rubbery
  • Have all ingredients prepped before you start, as cooking moves quickly
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