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Top-down close-up of golden-brown seared scallops in a lemon-garlic butter sauce, garnished with parsley and three lemon slices in a shallow dish, captured under warm overhead lighting with a shallow depth of field.

Seared Scallops with Butter Lemon Sauce Recipe

Learn how to make restaurant-quality seared scallops at home with this foolproof recipe. Sweet, plump sea scallops are seared until golden brown and topped with a rich brown butter lemon sauce. The secret to achieving that perfect golden crust while keeping the inside tender and succulent lies in the technique - high heat and minimal handling.
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Course: dinner
Cuisine: American/European
Keyword: Butter Lemon Sauce, Pan seared scallops Gordon Ramsay, Pan seared scallops recipe, Pan seared scallops with sauce, Seared Scallops
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 280kcal
Cost: $28-35

Equipment

  • Large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet (12-inch recommended)
  • Paper towels
  • Tongs or fish spatula
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small bowl for sauce
  • Instant-read thermometer (optional)
  • Microplane or garlic press
  • Timer
  • Plates for serving

Ingredients

For the Scallops

  • 1 pound Large sea scallops (12-15 count)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for finishing)

For the Brown Butter Lemon Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

  • Pat scallops dry with paper towels
  • Remove side muscle if present
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Heat pan over medium-high heat
  • Add oil until shimmering
  • Sear scallops 2-3 minutes per side
  • Remove scallops and tent with foil
  • Make sauce in same pan
  • Brown butter until golden
  • Add garlic, lemon juice, capers
  • Pour over scallops
  • Garnish with parsley

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 115g | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.2mg