Smooth and buttery with a burst of tangy lemon! This easy dish is exploding with flavor and perfect for a fun date night in!
Only one thing comes to mind whenever I hear the word “scallops” – fancy shmancy! But for the longest time I was so intimidated to cook them at home. (I probably have Gordon Ramsey to thank for that one and all those years of watching Hell’s Kitchen… “The bloody scallops are raw!”😲) But when I finally did decide to give them a try I was so suprised by how easy they were. And these pan seared scallops with lemon basil garlic butter are now one of our favorite more fancier dinners to make! They’re light and buttery, cook in minutes and there’s minimal ingredients too!
Ingredients
- Scallops: Can be fresh or frozen. (I personally perfer fresh scallops because they have a more tender texture to them. And I always love getting my fresh seafood from Sprouts! Their seafood is 100% sustainabilty sourced and they’re always a t a pretty decent price too! Scallops can get pretty pricey depending on the type, so I jump at every opportunity I can whenever I find a sale.)
- Butter: Adds even more richness to your scallops. (Besides butter and seafood just goes together right?!)
- Lemons: Adds some tang and really helps to brighten up the dish. (Both in flavor and color!)
- Fresh basil: Adds a subtle freshness to your dish and pairs so well with the lemon flavor.
- Garlic: Adds some aromatics and compliments the rest of your flavors!
- Salt & pepper: Every dish always needs your standard salt and pepper seasoning! 😉
How to make pan seared scallops
This is by far my favorite way to cook scallops! Not only does it allow your scallops to get that crispy top and bottom, but it also still keeps them moist and tend on the inside too! Here’s how easy it is below:
- Melt your butter in the microwave and mix it with your lemon juice and minced garlic. Set it aside.
- Then place your scallops on tray and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season them with salt & pepper.
- Next, heat a saute pan over medium high heat and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Once it’s hot to the touch, place your scallops in the pan seasoned side down. Season the other side with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Then flip the scallops and add your lemon butter. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and continually spoon some of your butter mixture over them as they cook. (Depending on the size of your scallops they might need to cook for another minutes. They should turn a bright white color and be slightly firm to the touch when done.)
- Once the scallops are done, remove the pan from the stove & stir in your fresh basil. Serve the scallops immediately with extra lemon slices on the side.
What to serve with pan seared scallops and lemon basil garlic butter
Scallops themselves tend to be pretty rich in flavor (which is why they pair so well with butter 😉 ), so try thinking of more neutral sides when serving them for a meal. You don’t want the sides to be too overpowering or the same “richness” as the scallops either. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to pair with this scallop recipe:
- Serve them with pasta: Try a simple lemon & buttered noodle or even noodles with pesto!
- Top them over a mashed veggie: Mashed potatoes or even mashed cauliflower are amazing with this dish! (They soak up a lot of the butter if you pour your scallops on top – so tasty!)
- Serve them with your favorite roasted or sauteed vegetables: Almost any type of veggie would be great with this dish! (I personally love serving sauteed green beans or asparagus.)
- Try them with a rissotto: Parmesan rissotto or even a lighter vegetable rissotto would also be amazing with these scallops too!
So there you have it loves. An easy scallop dinner that’s made in minutes with minimal ingredients and just as fancy shmancy as it looks!
I hope you’re all having a great day!
More recipes you might like:
- Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Dijon Sauce
- Maple Mustard Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
- Spicy Shrimp, Mango & Avocado Salad
- Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa
[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my social media @kalefornia_kravings – I love seeing what you create!]
Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Basil Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 1 lb. scallops
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3-4 Tbsp)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup fresh basil, sliced thin
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt your butter in the microwave and mix it with your lemon juice and minced garlic. Set it aside.
- Then place your scallops on tray and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season them with salt & pepper.
- Next, heat a saute pan over medium high heat and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Once it's hot to the touch, place your scallops in the pan seasoned side down. Season the other side with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Then flip the scallops and add your lemon butter. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and continually spoon some of your butter mixture over them as they cook. (Depending on the size of your scallops they might need to cook for another minutes. They should turn a bright white color and be slightly firm to the touch when done.)
- Once the scallops are done, remove the pan from the stove & stir in your fresh basil. Serve the scallops immediately with extra lemon slices on the side.
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