Garlic Butter Scallops

3.45 from 97 votes

Cooked in 6 minutes, this Garlic Butter Scallops Recipe is the perfect quick dinner. Easy enough for a weeknight meal but fancy enough for entertaining guests! Make this delicious scallop recipe with just 7 simple ingredients.

Prep Time5

Cook Time6

Total Time11

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Garlic Butter Scallops, Scallops

Servings: people

Author: Olivia Ribas

Ingredients

1 lb fresh large scallops* removed the side muscle
Coarse salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter or ghee for Whole30 and paleo
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp freshly chopped parsley
2 tbsp lemon juice

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Remove the scallops from the fridge about 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
Place them on a paper towel-lined cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels.
Season well all sides of the scallops with coarse salt and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the scallops in a single layer. Please, don’t over crowd the skillet and if it’s necessary, work in batches.
Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. They will be golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set it aside.
Add the butter, garlic, fresh parsley and lemon juice. Saute for 1-2 minutes and add the scallops back to the pan and heat through. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

If scallops are frozen, thaw in cold water before using.
Make sure the scallops are dry before you sear them. You won't get a nice crust with moisture on the scallops.
I love the sear I get from using a cast iron skillet and highly recommend you use one.
These garlic butter scallops are done in about six minutes, so keep a close eye to avoid overcooking.
To store: Scallops are best enjoyed fresh but you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To reheat: Gently reheat the scallops on the stovetop.

Nutrition