When it comes to seafood, few options are as decadent and delicious as pan-seared scallops. With their tender flesh and subtle sweetness, it’s no wonder why this dish has become a staple in many restaurants and homes alike. And when you add a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce to the mix, it’s a match made in culinary heaven.
In this article, we’ll be exploring 18 mouth-watering scallop recipes that all feature pan-searing with garlic butter as their foundation. From classic combinations like lemon caper sauce and creamy parmesan risotto, to more adventurous pairings like spicy chili lime glaze and crispy prosciutto, there’s something for every palate and preference.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting to experiment with new recipes, these pan-seared scallop dishes are sure to impress. So without further ado, let’s dive in and get cooking!
Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Caper Sauce
Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Caper Sauce
Elevate your seafood game with this flavorful and elegant recipe, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the scallops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
4. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, stir in the lemon juice and capers. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the pan-seared scallops with the Lemon Caper Sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Garlic Butter Pan Seared Scallops
This recipe yields tender and flavorful scallops with a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Rinse the scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter and minced garlic.
4. Add the garlic butter mixture to the preheated skillet.
5. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 120°F (49°C).
6. Serve immediately with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: 4-6 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with White Wine Reduction
Pan-Seared Scallops with White Wine Reduction: Elevate your seafood game with this effortless yet impressive dish that combines tender scallops with a rich and tangy white wine reduction.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1/4 cup white wine (dry)
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rinse scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
3. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
5. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, garlic, and thyme to the same skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
6. Pour in white wine and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 2-3 minutes or until reduced by half.
7. Serve scallops with white wine reduction spooned over the top.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Brown Butter Pan Seared Scallops with Thyme
Elevate your seafood game with this decadent and aromatic recipe that showcases the sweet and savory flavors of scallops, brown butter, and thyme.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
– 1 tablespoon (15g) all-purpose flour
– 2 sprigs fresh thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your pan over medium-high heat.
2. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the butter to the preheated pan and let it melt until it turns golden brown (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste.
5. Return the pan to medium-high heat and sear the scallops for 1-2 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
6. Stir in the thyme sprigs and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 4-6 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Creamy Parmesan Risotto
Elevate your dinner game with this decadent combination of tender scallops and creamy risotto, all topped with a rich parmesan crust.
Ingredients:
For the scallops:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the risotto:
– 1 cup Arborio rice
– 4 cups chicken broth, warmed
– 2 tbsp butter
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup heavy cream
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm.
3. In the same skillet, add butter and Arborio rice. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
4. Add warmed broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously until absorbed. After 20 minutes, stir in Parmesan cheese and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve risotto alongside seared scallops.
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Spicy Pan Seared Scallops with Chili Lime Glaze
Sizzle up a flavorful dish with this bold and tangy recipe, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup chili lime glaze (see below)
– Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Chili Lime Glaze:
– 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1 tsp Dijon mustard
– 1/2 tsp grated ginger
– 1-2 diced jalapeños (depending on desired heat level)
Instructions:
1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add olive oil to the preheated skillet and sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
4. Brush chili lime glaze over scallops during the last minute of cooking.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
Cooking Time: 6-8 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Herb Butter and Asparagus
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet impressive recipe, featuring succulent scallops seared to perfection and served with a flavorful herb butter and tender asparagus.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
1. Preheat skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Add to skillet; sear for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
3. In a small bowl, mix together butter, parsley, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve scallops with herb butter spooned on top.
5. Toss asparagus with garlic and cook in skillet for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
6. Serve scallops with asparagus and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Mango Avocado Salsa
Experience the perfect harmony of sweet and savory flavors with this refreshing summer recipe. Pan-seared scallops are paired with a vibrant mango avocado salsa, making for a light and satisfying dish.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 1 ripe mango, diced
– 1 ripe avocado, diced
– 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
– 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
– 2 tablespoons lime juice
– 1 teaspoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Rinse scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
3. In a separate bowl, combine mango, avocado, red onion, and jalapeño pepper.
4. Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve pan-seared scallops with mango avocado salsa spooned over the top.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Truffle Oil and Microgreens
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet impressive recipe that combines the sweet flavor of scallops with the earthy richness of truffle oil and the peppery bite of microgreens.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons truffle oil
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Microgreens (such as pea shoots or purslane), for garnish
Instructions:
1. Rinse the scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
5. Reduce the heat to low and add the truffle oil to the skillet.
6. Simmer the truffle oil for 1 minute to release its flavors.
7. Return the scallops to the skillet and toss with the truffle oil to coat.
8. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
9. Garnish with microgreens and serve immediately.
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon and Pea Puree
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet impressive recipe that combines succulent scallops, crispy bacon, and a creamy pea puree.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 6 slices of thick-cut bacon
– 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup heavy cream
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the bacon slices until crispy, flipping halfway through (about 6-8 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
4. While the scallops cook, blend peas with heavy cream in a blender or food processor until smooth.
5. To serve, place cooked scallops on plates, top with crispy bacon, and spoon pea puree alongside. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Browned Butter and Sage
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet elegant recipe that combines succulent scallops with the rich flavors of browned butter and crispy sage.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 2 sage leaves, chopped
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.
3. Add the scallops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Let it melt and simmer for about 30 seconds.
6. Add the chopped sage leaves to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
7. Serve the scallops with the browned butter and crispy sage spooned over the top. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges if desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Citrus Beurre Blanc
Elevate your dinner game with this simple yet impressive recipe that combines succulent scallops with a tangy and sweet citrus beurre blanc sauce.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup white wine (dry)
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 teaspoon honey
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley or thyme, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Rinse scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Remove from skillet.
3. In the same skillet, add white wine, orange juice, lemon juice, mustard, and honey. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Serve scallops with citrus beurre blanc spooned over top. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Roasted Garlic Aioli
Pan-Seared Scallops with Roasted Garlic Aioli: A Deliciously Rich and Flavorful Seafood Dish
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 1 head of garlic, separated into individual cloves
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Wrap garlic cloves in foil and roast for 30-40 minutes or until soft and mashed.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together roasted garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the aioli.
4. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
6. Serve scallops immediately with roasted garlic aioli spooned over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Sweet Corn Puree
Savor the sweetness of summer with this simple yet impressive recipe that combines succulent scallops with a creamy sweet corn puree. Perfect for a light and flavorful dinner or as an appetizer for your next gathering.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup fresh sweet corn kernels (about 4 ears)
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat skillet over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
2. Add olive oil to the skillet and sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
3. In a separate pot, combine sweet corn kernels, butter, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Reduce heat to low and let puree cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and tender.
5. Serve scallops with sweet corn puree spooned over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Crispy Prosciutto
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet impressive dish, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 6 slices of prosciutto, thinly sliced
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat a non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
2. Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
3. Add the olive oil to the preheated pan and swirl it around.
4. Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re cooked through and golden brown.
5. While the scallops are cooking, place the prosciutto slices in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy.
6. Remove the scallops from the pan and set them aside.
7. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt.
8. Place a few pieces of crispy prosciutto on top of each scallop and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Tips:
– Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when searing the scallops.
– If you want to add some extra flavor, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top of the scallops before serving.
Pan Seared Scallops with Saffron Cream Sauce
This recipe combines the tender sweetness of scallops with the rich, aromatic flavor of saffron cream sauce. A perfect dish for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup heavy cream
– 2 teaspoons saffron threads, soaked in 1 tablespoon hot water
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the scallops under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
3. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set them aside.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, whisk in the heavy cream and saffron mixture. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
5. Serve the scallops with the saffron cream sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Tomato Basil Relish
Elevate your seafood game with this simple yet impressive recipe that combines tender pan-seared scallops with a vibrant and flavorful tomato basil relish.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
1. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the skillet and sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
3. In a separate bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, garlic, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar.
4. Serve the pan-seared scallops with the tomato basil relish spooned over the top.
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Pan Seared Scallops with Black Truffle Butter
Elevate your dinner game with this decadent yet effortless recipe that combines succulent scallops with the earthy richness of black truffle butter.
Ingredients:
– 12 large scallops
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 2 teaspoons black truffle oil or shaved black truffles
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the scallops under cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the softened butter and cook for 2-3 minutes or until melted.
3. Add the black truffle oil or shaved truffles to the butter and stir to combine.
4. Add the scallops to the skillet, leaving some space between each one. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through.
5. Remove the scallops from the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Summary
Get ready to indulge in a culinary delight with these 18 mouthwatering scallop recipes! Pan-seared to perfection and paired with an array of flavors, each dish is sure to impress. From classic garlic butter to more adventurous options like spicy chili lime glaze and truffle oil, there’s something for every taste. Try pairing your pan-seared scallops with creamy parmesan risotto or sweet corn puree for a decadent treat. Whatever your pleasure, these recipes are sure to elevate your seafood game and leave you craving more!