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Flavorful Lemon Butter Scallops with Garlic Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe for tender scallops seared to perfection and coated in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce, perfect for a satisfying dinner or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh sea scallops, patted dry
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Heat until shimmering.
  3. Add scallops in a single layer without crowding. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until bottoms are golden brown.
  4. Flip scallops carefully and sear the other side for 1-2 minutes until firm but still springy.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Stir gently as butter melts and garlic softens, about 1-2 minutes, avoiding browning the garlic.
  6. Pour in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley. Stir and let sauce bubble gently for 30 seconds.
  7. Return scallops briefly to the pan if removed, spooning garlic butter sauce over them to coat evenly.
  8. Serve immediately on a warmed plate, drizzled with remaining sauce and garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat scallops dry thoroughly to ensure a good sear and avoid steaming. Do not overcrowd the pan to allow even browning. Use medium-high heat for searing and add butter last to prevent burning. Timing is crucial; scallops cook quickly and should be slightly underdone to avoid toughness. Let scallops rest for 5 minutes after cooking to deepen flavors. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or try different herbs like dill or basil.

Nutrition

Keywords: scallops, lemon butter scallops, garlic sauce, seafood dinner, quick scallops, easy scallop recipe, dinner party seafood

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/flavorful-lemon-butter-scallops-with-garlic-sauce-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/