Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter
Mar 29, 2025 08:18 AM
Learn to make restaurant-quality scallops at home! Perfectly seared with a golden crust and finished with a bright lemon-butter sauce, they’re simple and downright delicious.
This pan-seared scallops recipe is elegant but surprisingly easy. Like a perfect steak or pan-seared salmon, scallops don’t need fancy sauces or extra ingredients—just the right technique. The trick is to sear them in a very hot pan and resist the urge to fiddle with them as they cook. Let them sit undisturbed, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully golden crust and a tender, buttery center.
A simple lemon-butter sauce is all you need to brighten the scallops’ briny sweetness and balance their richness. Want to mix it up? Swap out the lemon for lime, grapefruit, or orange, or toss in some fresh herbs like tarragon, chives, thyme, or basil. This scallops recipe pairs well with risotto or pasta primavera—and don’t forget a crisp white wine to top it all off.
Ingredients:
- 12 to 16 dry sea scallops (about ¾ lb)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
15 minutes
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