Transform your dinner table into a coastal retreat with this delectable Pan Fried Sea Scallops with Lemon Butter recipe. Perfectly seared in olive oil to create a golden crust, these tender sea scallops are elevated with a rich, buttery sauce infused with fresh garlic, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of parsley. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick yet elegant dish is ideal for weeknight meals or impressing guests at a dinner party. Serve these scallops with a drizzle of the tangy lemon butter sauce for a restaurant-quality seafood experience at home. Whether paired with a fresh side salad or creamy risotto, these pan-fried scallops promise to be a show-stopping centerpiece.
Pat the sea scallops dry with a paper towel and remove the small side muscle if it is still attached. This helps ensure even cooking.
Season the scallops with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to get hot but not smoking.
Carefully place the scallops in the skillet, ensuring they are not touching each other. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side without moving them, until a golden crust forms.
Flip the scallops and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until opaque and cooked through. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt completely.
Add minced garlic to the butter and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Stir in the lemon juice and zest, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook for another 30 seconds to blend the flavors.
Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley into the lemon butter sauce.
Return the scallops to the skillet and gently spoon the lemon butter sauce over them to coat. Serve immediately.
Calories |
980 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.0 g | 72% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.0 g | 95% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 4214 mg | 183% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.6 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 94.1 g | 188% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 91 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 1567 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.