Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce

Indulge in the flavors of perfectly seared scallops complemented by a tangy lemon butter sauce. This elegant yet simple recipe delivers a restaurant-quality dish to impress your guests or elevate your weeknight dinner options. The scallops are delicately seared to achieve a golden crust while remaining tender and succulent on the inside. The sauce adds a burst of citrusy freshness to enhance the natural sweetness of the scallops. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is a winner for any seafood lover.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Pat dry the scallops with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Season both sides of the scallops with salt and pepper.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
4. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the scallops to the skillet, making sure they are not touching each other.
5. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
6. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set them aside.
7. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
8. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
9. Stir in the lemon juice and zest, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
10. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
11. Return the scallops to the skillet and toss them gently in the lemon butter sauce.
12. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the scallops are heated through.
13. Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the scallops.
14. Serve the simply seared scallops hot with extra lemon butter sauce on the side.

Interesting Facts