These simple Buttery Garlic Seared Scallops are pan-seared and seasoned to perfection. Serve by themselves or over freshly cooked pasta for an elegant, yet quick meal.
I love to pair this delicious dish with my Parmesan Roasted Asparagus, Honey Roasted Carrots or Sautéed Zucchini.
I’m partnering with Land O’Lakes again to share this incredible garlic butter Scallops recipe featuring their Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt.
Seafood is always a super quick protein to prepare, and these gorgeous scallops are no different.
Buttery Garlic Seared Scallops
I’m using wild-caught sea scallops so they are nice and large in size. Bay scallops are going to be quite a bit smaller, and better reserved for stews and casseroles. Sea scallops make a great main dish because they’re nice and plump.
Ingredients Needed For Seared Scallops
Here’s a basic list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these buttery garlic scallops. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Sea Scallops – make sure to pat dry with paper towels
- Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Parsley
This recipe is so simple, yet packs so much flavor!
The easy-to-use Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt is always within reach in my fridge. We use this tasty, 3 ingredient butter spread on the daily. My favorite part about Land O’Lakes is they’re a dairy cooperative, using milk from hard-working farmer-owners. It translates into quality dairy products you can taste.
How To Make Garlic Butter Scallops
Pull out that heavy-bottomed skillet, cause we’re searing these sea scallops to give them a nice golden crust and tender, juicy insides.
- PAT DRY WITH PAPER TOWELS Give the scallops a nice pat with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- SEAR IN HOT SKILLET Sear the scallops in olive oil over medium-high heat until they’re browned on each side (about 2 to 3 minutes).
- MAKE BUTTERY GARLIC MIXTURE Remove the scallops from the pan. To the pan, quickly add in that creamy Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. Let it melt and add in the garlic and lemon, then stir until fragrant.
- RETURN SCALLOPS Add the scallops back to the pan, coat with the buttery garlic mixture and garnish with freshly chopped parsley
PRO TIP: Scallops are like little sponges and will soak up as much water or liquids as they can. Do NOT rinse your scallops in water to clean them. They will soak up too much water and then release it all in your pan… and you’ll end up with sad scallops.
Such a beautiful, yet quick and easy seafood recipe to make!
What Type Of Pan Is Best For Searing?
When it comes down to it, everyone should have a good heavy-duty skillet (either cast iron or stainless steel) in their kitchen.
You wont get a good sear with a non-stick pan, but if that’s all you have… make sure to crank up the heat as high as you can to get that good sear on the scallops.
What To Serve With Sea Scallops?
These plump and perfectly cooked sea scallops are fantastic over a nice angel hair pasta. Here are some other great ways to serve them…
Can I Cook Scallops Ahead Of Time?
Since scallops are a lot like shrimp and lobster, where they cook so fast and can be tough or rubbery if over cooked, I’m going to advise against cooking ahead of time.
Not to worry, these Garlic Butter Scallops are ready in just 15 minutes, which is usually less time than it takes to boil a pot of pasta.
How Do I Know When They’re Cooked?
Scallops should be cooked to an internal temperature of about 125 to 130 degrees F.
If you gently poke the top of the scallop it should be slightly firm to the touch, but still have some give to it.
Why Are My Scallops Rubbery?
Scallops can go from juicy and succulent to rubbery and chewy in a matter of minutes. This usually happens when you’ve overcooked your scallops.
Make sure you use paper towels to get as much moisture out of the scallops before searing to ensure a quick sear and even cook time.
Enjoy your scallops right away after cooking for maximum flavor and texture.
I know you’re going to love these as much as we do!
Buttery Garlic Seared Scallops
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. sea scallops
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 medium lemon, juice half, slice remaining half
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large, cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear scallops for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned and scallops are cooked through. Remove scallops from pan to a plate.
- Add Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt to skillet and let melt. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Squeeze in the juice of half the lemon, then add the scallops back to the pan and top with parsley.
- Serve over cooked pasta with extra lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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I LOVE THIS RECIPE! I have made this recipes several times. It is so simple and very delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I’ve made these numerous times and they come out delicious and perfect everytime!!
We love this dish!! I’ve just added a couple steps, by adding a nice dry Pinot Grigio to the butter, lemon juice and garlic. Then I add capers to the angel hair pasta along with some pan liquid then scallops on top. Since my hubby is a lemon fanatic, I actually slice up a whole lemon and quarter it and layer it with the scallops in the liquid and then serve the whole thing over the angel hair. Killer recipe!! Love your site! ❤️
This was delicious but I used a cast iron pan and it got a bit too hot and the butter got too brown. Will use my Farberware skillet next time.
Followed recipe exactly. Scallops were perfect . Husband loved them . Would definitely make again . Thanks !
This recipe is pretty damn awesome and especially with the end of the recipe Because then it was time to taste the finished product and it was above my expectations and I made for my 82 year mother tonight and she totally satisfied also Good job to the creature of this wonderful meal!!
I watched the video, it showed many examples of making things more difficult than they need to be. Instead, use a cast iron or no stick pan. Sear the scallops until they begin to show the sear(browning). Use enough olive oil and butter spread so the noodles will get seasoned with it. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the finished dish.
Very good! I didn’t have any fresh parsley so I used fresh cilantro and I added it to the skillet during the last two min of searing the scallops. It turned out very good. My husband can’t wait till we have it again!
One of our favorite dishes. I make so many of your dishes. Love, love love your posts.
Loved this simple recipe. Used Healthy Noodles and broccoli.
I would like to know why Land O Lakes butter. Do they pay you to advertise for them? If not, why one specific brand of butter?
Flavor 100% Seafood and real butter is secret tasty ingredient. A NEW ENGLANDER.Good taste…used this recipe for years.. Its your choice to use another ingredient…however you will be highly disappointed.
Oh my golly….my mouth is watering! Can’t wait to try this. I have to look for the Land O Lake OO & Sea Salt Butter!
I hope you enjoy it Lisa!
I am so anxious to try this dish since I love scallops but have always been afraid to make them. I know you will think I’m crazy, but I do not like the taste of butter, however, when it is used with garlic or other seasonings I like it. ie. compound butter. I highly doubt that my supermarket will have the Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. Do you have a recommendation for a substitution (quantity of olive oil & sea salt) that I can use? I’d appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanking you in advance,
Caryle Cirello
If you can’t find the Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt, try using 3 tbsp of butter with a tsp of olive oil. Make sure you use a good quality butter!