The toughest a part of making Seared Scallops is getting up the nerve to strive! 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 received all the ideas to ensure they prove completely!
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Do you like scallops, however you solely get them organized at eating places? Do you don’t have any thought what to search for once you’re purchasing 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 checklist of components however ship most deliciousness—as a result of once you begin with good scallops and the appropriate cooking technique, it’s actually onerous to go fallacious. 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 simple scallop recipe, you’ve received your subsequent date night time at house within the bag!
Key Elements
You’ll discover the complete checklist of components within the recipe card beneath, 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 due to its excessive smoke level.
- Contemporary Parsley. For a recent crowning glory.
Moist-Packed vs. Dry-Packed Scallops
That is the golden rule for purchasing the most effective scallops: all the time 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 can be a lot smaller since a lot of their weight was water.
- Dry-Packed Scallops. These aren’t 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 superbly within the pan, supplying you with that caramelized crust that makes seared scallops so delish.
How one can 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 watch for 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?!)
Preserve 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 is usually a good guess in case you’re serving somebody who’s on the fence about scallops because it provides one other layer of taste to the combination. Massive-time scallop followers could choose my authentic garlic-free technique.
What to Serve with Seared Scallops
Make it a meal by pairing your scallops with considered one of these choices.
How one can prepare dinner golden, completely pan seared scallops. They prepare dinner in minutes, are succulent and buttery with a golden crust, and are simple to make at house!
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Forestall your display from going darkish
- 1 ½ kilos sea scallops about 16; hunt down dry pack for the most effective sear
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or comparable 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 develop 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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