Description
A luxurious yet stress-free summer dinner featuring seared sea scallops in a rich garlic butter and white wine sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) Sea Scallops (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (divided)
- 4–5 cloves Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60ml) Dry White Wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 medium Lemon (zest and juice)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions
- Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels and remove the side muscle if present.
- Season scallops generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Wait until foaming subsides.
- Place scallops in the skillet in a single layer (do not crowd). Sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip scallops and cook for another 2-3 minutes until firm but slightly yielding.
- Remove scallops from pan and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce heat slightly. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
- Pour in white wine and scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return scallops to the pan, spooning sauce over them. Let warm for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with crusty bread.
Notes
Ensure scallops are very dry before searing to prevent steaming. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Scallops cook quickly, so use a timer to avoid overcooking. If using wet scallops, pat them extremely dry. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 24
Keywords: garlic butter scallops, baked scallops, seafood recipe, quick dinner, summer recipes, gluten-free seafood, easy scallops