The toughest a part of making Seared Scallops is getting up the nerve to attempt! Don’t be intimidated. All you want is a scorching pan, a pair of tongs, and a few butter, and you may prepare dinner scallops like a professional. I’ve bought all the ideas to verify they end up completely!

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It’s time so as to add scallops to your weeknight menu.
Do you’re keen on scallops, however you solely get them organized at eating places? Do you haven’t any concept what to search for whenever you’re searching for them? Clueless about one of the simplest ways to prepare dinner them? We’re going to sort out ALL of your scallop-related anxieties with this how-to recipe for seared scallops!
Like my Bacon Wrapped Scallops, these seared scallops require solely a brief record of substances however ship most deliciousness—as a result of whenever you begin with good scallops and the fitting cooking technique, it’s actually onerous to go improper. They’re buttery and succulent, with a barely candy taste that’s made even higher by the caramelization that happens when the scallops are pan-seared. YUM!
With this straightforward scallop recipe, you’ve bought your subsequent date night time at residence within the bag!
Key Elements
You’ll discover the total record of substances within the recipe card under, however listed here are some notes to remember.
- Sea Scallops. I like recent scallops greatest, but when they’re not obtainable, frozen will work.
- Butter and Oil. Scallops naturally have a buttery taste, so cooking (and basting!) them in butter is like including an exclamation level. Oil handles the excessive warmth because of its excessive smoke level.
- Recent Parsley. For a recent of completion.
Moist-Packed vs. Dry-Packed Scallops
That is the golden rule for getting the most effective scallops: at all times purchase dry-packed scallops.
- Moist-Packed Scallops. These are handled with an answer of water and sodium tripolyphosphate, which will increase their weight (and acts as a preservative). Whereas they might be simpler to search out and cheaper, the added moisture could make it tougher to attain that good golden sear when cooking. Plus, when you prepare dinner them, the scallops might be a lot smaller since a lot of their weight was water.
- Dry-Packed Scallops. These will not be handled with preservatives, which implies they’ve a extra pure taste and texture. They price a bit extra, however their lack of added water permits them to sear fantastically within the pan, providing you with that caramelized crust that makes seared scallops so delish.
Methods to Make Seared Scallops






Dry the Scallops. Place them on two layers of paper towels, set two extra layers on prime, and gently press to soak up the surplus liquid from the scallops. Drying is CRITICAL to get a superb sear on the scallops.
Prep Your Cooking Space. Warmth the oil in a forged iron skillet over excessive warmth. When you await this to get blazing scorching, divide the butter into two parts, get out a spoon and plate, and tear off a bit of foil to cowl the plate later.
Sear the Scallops, Half 1. When the oil begins smoking, add the scallops to the pan with tongs. Sprinkle with salt and prepare dinner for 90 seconds.
Sear the Scallops, Half 2. Add one portion of butter to the pan. Now begin flipping the scallops, beginning with the primary one you place within the pan. Baste with the butter. (Is there any higher odor on this world than melted butter?!)
Hold Going. After the opposite facet is properly seared—or when the scallops attain 115 levels F if we’re being exact—switch the cooked scallops to the plate and tent with foil. Repeat with the remaining scallops and butter.
Make the Sauce. Flip off the warmth and add the parsley to the butter. Let it sit for only a beat to infuse the butter with the parsley and the parsley with the butter, then spoon the butter over the scallops and ENJOY!

Recipe Variations
- Add a Squeeze of Lemon. Similar to Baked Salmon, seared scallops are scrumptious with recent lemon juice.
- Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter. Use my Garlic Butter Shrimp for inspiration. This could be a good wager if you happen to’re serving somebody who’s on the fence about scallops because it provides one other layer of taste to the combo. Huge-time scallop followers could choose my unique garlic-free technique.
What to Serve with Seared Scallops
Make it a meal by pairing your scallops with one in all these choices.
Seared scallops are ridiculously straightforward, astoundingly fast, and completely delicious. I’ve bought all the ideas to verify they end up good!
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- 1 ½ kilos sea scallops about 16; search out dry pack for the most effective sear
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or related impartial cooking oil
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped recent parsley
- TO STORE: Retailer scallops in an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 2 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently reheat scallops in a skillet over medium warmth till heat all through. Take care to not overcook them, as they will change into rubbery.
Serving: 1(of 4, 4 scallops per serving)Energy: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 21gFats: 13gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0.4gLdl cholesterol: 63mgPotassium: 357mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 352IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
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