Description
Succulent garlic seared scallops bring marine elegance to dinner tables with golden-brown perfection. Quick preparation meets restaurant-quality flavors, promising restaurant-worthy seafood you’ll savor in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sea scallops
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 medium lemon, juice half, slice remaining half
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Meticulously dry scallops using paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring a perfect sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat skillet to medium-high heat, adding olive oil until it shimmers. Carefully place scallops in pan, maintaining adequate spacing to prevent steaming.
- Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side, watching for a golden-brown crust. Wait until scallops naturally release from pan before flipping.
- Transfer seared scallops to a separate plate, reducing skillet heat to low. Melt butter with olive oil and sea salt, creating a rich base.
- Add minced garlic to butter, cooking precisely 30 seconds until aromatic. Avoid burning by monitoring heat closely.
- Deglaze pan with fresh lemon juice, scraping accumulated browned bits to intensify flavor profile.
- Gently return scallops to skillet, coating them thoroughly with garlic-butter sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant color and herbal notes.
- Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and scallops retain their delicate, tender texture.
Notes
- Always ensure scallops are completely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without steaming.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron for even heat distribution and maximum caramelization.
- Space scallops apart in the pan to prevent moisture buildup and guarantee crispy exteriors.
- Select fresh, high-quality dry-packed scallops for the best texture and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg