Seared Scallops Recipe

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4.96 from 22 votes
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Seared scallops make a simple, yet elegant meal. Tender, buttery, and delicious, these pan seared scallops are ready in 15 minutes! Served with a delicious pan sauce!

Looking for more delicious quick and easy dinner recipes? I think you my Classic Chili, Tuna Salad, and Garlic Shrimp.

Seared scallops and asparagus on a white platter. // addapinch.com

Bright, buttery, delicate, and so tender, these pan seared fresh scallops make such a quick and easy dinner recipe.

While they are delicious piled high with pasta, garlic, and any number of sauces layered on top, I’ve realized that they can easily get lost in the heavy sauces and lose what makes them so delectable in the first place!

Seared Scallops Recipe

Overhead photograph of seared scallops and asparagus on a white platter. // addapinch.com

These scallops are seared in a skillet with a touch of butter and olive oil. Once cooked, they are lightly salted at the end and drizzled with the light pan sauce. The sauce is not too heavy to hide the flavors of the fresh scallops and just brings out the flavors from the browned bits in the bottom of the skillet from searing.

How to Make Seared Scallops

Prep Scallops. To make this delicious dish, first rinse scallops to remove any potential grit and drain them well. Pat both sides of scallops dry with paper towels.

Heat Skillet. Then heat a medium (12-inch skillet) over medium heat. Add butter and olive oil into heated skillet and allow the butter to melt.

Cook. Add the scallops to the skillet in a single layer, making sure to leave space between them. Then cook for about 3 to 5 minutes on one side, then gently turn scallop with tongs or a small spatula to sear the second side for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the scallop is firm to the touch and well-browned. Then, remove them to a platter while I make the pan sauce.

How to Make the Pan Sauce

The pan sauce is optional, but oh so incredibly delicious!

To make it, allow the skillet to cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Then add a dry white wine or chicken stock to deglaze the skillet. Using a wooden spoon or a whisk, scrape up any browned bits that have formed in the pan as the scallops were cooking. Then add butter, shallot, and garlic to the white wine, stirring constantly. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the shallots have become tender and translucent. Remove the skillet from heat.

Once I’ve whipped up the pan sauce, I find out how many people would like the sauce and then spoon it over their portion and leave the others without. I place any remaining pan sauce in a serving bowl in case anyone wants more. If I am serving with Fettuccine Alfredo, I make sure to drizzle a bit more over the top of the pasta! Talk about amazing!

How to Store and Freeze Scallops

Fresh scallops must be stored immediately in the refrigerator or freezer when purchased to prevent any food-borne illness.

To store raw scallops. Raw scallops should be stored in the refrigerator (40ยบ F or less) for up to two days. Ideally, they should be cooked as soon as possible. Here is how I store my fresh scallops: Clean your scallops, pat them dry, and place them into a freezer-safe, zip-top bag. Fill a shallow bowl or baking dish with ice and place the zip-top bag of scallops on top of the ice. Cover the zip-top bag and ice-filled bowl with plastic wrap to hold in the cold temperature.

To store cooked scallops. Once cooked, store scallops in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

To freeze raw scallops. Raw scallops can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator and cook within 1 day or thawing.

Horizontal photograph of cooked scallops and asparagus on a white plate. // addapinch.com

What to Serve with Scallops:

Here’s my simple, yet perfect Seared Scallops Recipe.

Seared Scallops Recipe

4.96 from 22 votes
Seared scallops make a simple, yet elegant meal. Tender, buttery and delicious, these scallops are ready in 15 minutes! Served with a delicious pan sauce!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound large sea scallops
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the pan sauce: (optional)

  • 1/4 cup chicken stock or broth
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 medium shallot, finely diced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Rinse scallops to remove any potential grit and drain well. Pat both sides of scallops dry with paper towels.
  • Heat 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add butter and olive oil into heated skillet and allow butter to melt.
  • Add scallops to the skillet in a single layer, taking care to leave plenty of room between each scallop. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes and then gently turn scallop with tongs or a small spatula to sear the second side for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the scallop is firm to the touch and well-browned.
  • Remove the scallops from the skillet to a serving platter and keep warm.

For the Pan Sauce:

  • Allow the skillet to cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the dry white wine or chicken stock to deglaze the skillet. Using a wooden spoon or whisk, scrap up any browned bits that have formed as the scallops were cooking. Add butter, shallot, and garlic to the white wine, stirring constantly. Cook about 3 minutes, until the shallots have become tender and translucent. Remove the skillet from heat and spoon the pan sauce over the scallops or serve in a separate bowl.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 248mg | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.96 from 22 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Review




62 Comments

  1. Joan Rathel says:

    5 stars
    I made this recipe and it was delicious, the whole family loved it! It is very quick and simple to make and we are going to make it again tonight, accompanied by filet mignon.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks Joan! xo

  2. Valued Customer says:

    4 stars
    Great recipe – hands down – I added parsley and coarse pepper. – still came out superb

  3. Keren says:

    5 stars
    While my sauce was unremarkable (used chicken broth), the scallops were excellent.

  4. Michelle says:

    Can i use frozen scallops after thawing? Or does it have to be fresh ones? I want to try your recipe

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      You can use frozen scallops that have been thawed completely. I hope you love it!

  5. Kym says:

    5 stars
    I didn’t have large scallops, used 1 lb. of small and just took a bit longer. Had to turn ย up the heat to brown them as well. Also didn’t have scallops ย but replaced it with 1/2 medium onion and two large garlic cloves instead of one. Cooked it a chardonnay, added a side of precooked and seasoned microwaveable rice and asparagus in the skillet with butter, salt and pepper and lemon and everything complemented each other very well.
    All around ย delicious, would definitely use this recipe again!ย 

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Wonderful to hear that you enjoyed it, Kym! xo

  6. HEWII says:

    5 stars
    Great quick and easy recipe to enjoy the great seafood – Scallops with a great spin on the accompanying sauce.

  7. John says:

    5 stars
    I cooked this tonight . It was just right. Scallops don’t need to be over powered by heavy sauces and you suggestion for the sauce follow up was perfect. Served ย with some rice and fresh steamed okra, I am a southern boy here…lol. I tell you your instructions were on point and it was a big hit at my house.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      So glad to hear this John! Happy you enjoyed it!

  8. Anita G. says:

    5 stars
    Delicious, tasty, easy to make, and I had all of the ingredients on hand. I seached for “seared scallops” and found this, thank you for a great recipe!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this, Anita! Thanks!

  9. Karen Pruitt says:

    5 stars
    Woops i forgot the stars

  10. Karen Pruitt says:

    The scallops were delicious. Good recipe!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks Karen! xo