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Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter and Capers Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 78 reviews
  • Author: Ben
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Delicious pan-seared sea scallops cooked to golden perfection and served with a zesty lemon butter sauce infused with garlic, capers, and fresh parsley. This quick and elegant dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course, pairing wonderfully with crusty bread or buttered noodles for a refined dining experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

  • 1 lb sea scallops (thawed)

Pan Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ lemon (juiced)
  • 1 ½ tbsp parsley (minced)
  • 2 tbsp capers
  • Salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Scallops: Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with salt to enhance their natural flavor.
  2. Heat Pan: Place a pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Wait for the oil to become hot and start to smoke slightly, indicating it is ready for searing.
  3. Sear Scallops: Carefully add the scallops to the pan without overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Sear them on one side for 60-90 seconds until a golden crust forms.
  4. Flip and Cook: Flip the scallops and cook for another 60-90 seconds on the other side until opaque and cooked through. Remove scallops to a plate or keep warm in foil. Repeat for remaining scallops.
  5. Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to low and add butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and capers to the pan. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, scraping the browned bits off the pan’s bottom to release flavor. Stir in freshly chopped parsley and remove the pan from heat.
  6. Serve: Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the cooked scallops immediately. Serve hot, accompanied by crusty toasted bread or buttered noodles and a glass of white wine for an elegant meal.

Notes

  • Patting scallops dry is essential for a good sear and prevents steaming.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure scallops brown properly instead of steaming.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the sauce.
  • This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings but sear scallops in batches for even cooking.
  • Optional sides include buttered noodles, rice, or a fresh green salad.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: pan seared scallops, lemon butter scallops, scallop recipe, quick seafood dish, garlic caper sauce, easy seafood dinner

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Find it online: https://kitchenwithben.com/pan-seared-scallops-with-lemon-butter-and-capers-recipe/