Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just looking to treat yourself, these Pan-Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter are the perfect way to make any dinner extra special.
I just got yelled at by my garbage man. I missed the pickup time for my side of the street and I had the audacity to ask if he would mind if I pulled my trash can to the other side of the street for him to pick up on his way past. Apparently, the extra 10 seconds it takes to make one more stop on the street, for a can he would have had to stop for anyhow, is a pretty big deal in the life of this mover and shaker of cans. Jokes on him, now I am not inviting him over for a candle-lit dinner featuring these pan-seared scallops in garlic butter.
Pan-seared scallops are a great meal to celebrate someone special, like your friendly neighborhood garbage man, or a special occasion like New Years or Valentines Day.
What Are Scallops
Scallops are a type of shellfish in the mollusk family, like clams. Typically the scallops you eat are either bay scallops or sea scallops. The main difference being sea scallops are larger. The scallops used for recipes like this one are sea scallops.
How Long to Cook Scallops
Scallops are great to prepare for a special occasion because they require minimal skill and effort to cook. An averagely sized sea scallop will cook in approximately 90 seconds per side in a pan over high heat. If using a meat thermometer, the ideal internal temperature is 130 degrees.
You will notice for this recipe I prepare the garlic butter in a separate pan. The reason for this is simple. The garlic will burn if you sear the scallops in the same pan as you cook the garlic. Minced garlic can't handle high heat. It is best to gently heat the garlic & butter mixture to coax out the garlic flavor.
What Goes with Pan-Seared Scallops
If you are looking for a great side dish to pair with pan-seared scallops, you will love my roasted asparagus recipe. It is effortlessly prepared in the oven, leaving you free to tend to the scallops on the cooktop.
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Pan-Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 1 lb scallops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper
Garlic Butter
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Serving
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Ensure scallops are thawed and pat dry with paper towel. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
- Heat butter and oil in a pan on high heat.
- When butter starts to smoke place scallops in the pan and cook for 90 seconds. Flip scallops and cook for 90 seconds longer, or until brown crust forms.
Garlic Butter
- While scallops cook melt butter in separate saucepan and add garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant then turn off heat.
Serving
- Brush garlic butter over scallops and squeeze juice from lemon wedge.
Notes
Nutritional Information
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Sharon Beckley
Want to try your pan seared scallops as well of some of your other recipes. Thank you.
Marina
Very easy and quick recipe for a weeknight dinner. Served it with rice.
It needed a little more flavorful seasoning, otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.
Cammie
My boyfriend loved these!