Close-up shot of sautéed scallops in a lemon-garlic butter sauce

Seafood

sauteed scallops with lemon garlic butter

By Ellie Parker

Published: 15 Mar 2025

This recipe is my go-to when I want to impress – it's fancy enough for a date night but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. I remember one time my sister came for a visit after a difficult breakup, and these scallops were the perfect way to cheer her up. It was such a comforting meal, and I'm telling you, that lemon-garlic butter sauce works magic!
A plate of sautéed scallops with a side of risotto
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. With just a few high-quality ingredients and a little know-how, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal. Don't be intimidated if you're a beginner – it's much easier than you think! Follow my simple steps, and you'll be amazed at the delicious results.
Close up of the ingredients: scallops, garlic, lemon, butter, parsley

Required Equipments

  • Large skillet
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon
  • Garlic press
  • Lemon juicer

Sauteed-Scallops-with-Lemon-Garlic-Butter

This recipe for sautéed scallops with lemon-garlic butter is quick, easy, and elegant. It's the perfect dish for a special occasion or a simple weeknight meal.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 1 servings

Preparation Time: 1 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time:

🍽 Ingredients

📖 Instructions

  1. First things first, make sure your scallops are super dry. Pat them down with paper towels; any excess moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Seriously, this step makes all the difference!
  2. Next, melt the butter in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Don't rush this; let it melt completely. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until it's fragrant. But keep an eye on it; you don't want to burn it! A little burnt garlic is no bueno.
  3. Once that's done, add the scallops in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan or they won't sear properly. You might need to work in batches. Trust me on this one!
  4. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, depending on their size. You know they're ready when they're golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Use your tongs to gently flip them.
  5. Once they're seared to perfection, add the lemon juice and white wine. Let it simmer for just a minute; you want it to slightly reduce and create a nice sauce.
  6. Then, gently stir in the fresh parsley. It adds a little pop of freshness. Give everything a final stir to combine.
  7. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or your favorite side dish. My favorite is a bed of creamy risotto, but there's really no wrong way to do it.
  8. Remember – if they aren't sizzling, turn up the heat! And dont' forget to taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. You want the flavors to really sing together and create a perfect harmony of tastes!

📝 Notes

  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
  • Make sure your scallops are completely dry before cooking!

🍎 Nutrition

Calories: 250

Protein: 25g

Fat: 18g

Carbohydrates: 2g

Fiber: 0g

Calcium: 20mg

Frequently Asked Questions

The joy of cooking is finding harmony in unexpected flavors.

Want to join our exclusive community?

FOLLOW US

SavoryTouch offers general content intended solely for informational purposes. The information provided on this site is not a substitute for professional nutritional, dietary, or culinary advice. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals regarding any dietary concerns, health conditions, or food-related decisions.

© 2025 SavoryTouch. All Rights Reserved.