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Close-up of six perfectly seared sea scallops with a golden-brown crust, drizzled with lemon garlic butter sauce and sprinkled with fresh parsley.

Lemon Garlic Seared Scallops

Perfectly golden seared scallops drizzled with bright lemon garlic butter — a quick, elegant seafood dish ready in minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Scallops
  • 1 lb large sea scallops
Seasoning & Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • lemon wedges for serving

Method
 

  1. Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a golden sear.
  2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Add the scallops in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes without moving them.
  5. Flip the scallops and add the butter and garlic to the pan.
  6. Cook for 1–2 minutes more, spooning butter and garlic over the scallops as they finish.
  7. Remove the scallops from the pan and drizzle with lemon juice.
  8. Stir the lemon zest and parsley into the remaining pan juices and spoon over the scallops.
  9. Serve warm with lemon wedges.

Notes

For best results, avoid overcrowding the skillet so the scallops sear instead of steam.