The toughest a part of making Seared Scallops is getting up the nerve to attempt! Don’t be intimidated. All you want is a sizzling 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 prove completely!
![Seared Scallops – WellPlated.com Seared Scallops – WellPlated.com](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/perfect-pan-seared-scallops.jpg)
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Do you like scallops, however you solely organize them at eating places? Do you haven’t any thought what to search for once you’re looking for them? Clueless about one of the simplest ways to prepare dinner them? We’re going to deal with 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 elements however ship most deliciousness—as a result of once you begin with good scallops and the suitable cooking technique, it’s actually arduous to go incorrect. 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 bought your subsequent date evening at dwelling within the bag!
Key Elements
You’ll discover the complete checklist of elements within the recipe card beneath, however listed below are some notes to bear in mind.
- Sea Scallops. I like contemporary scallops finest, but when they’re not accessible, 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.
- Recent Parsley. For a contemporary completion.
Moist-Packed vs. Dry-Packed Scallops
That is the golden rule for purchasing 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 could be simpler to seek out and cheaper, the added moisture could make it more durable to attain that good golden sear when cooking. Plus, when you prepare dinner them, the scallops will likely be a lot smaller since a lot of their weight was water.
- Dry-Packed Scallops. These usually are not handled with preservatives, which implies they’ve a extra pure taste and texture. They value a bit extra, however their lack of added water permits them to sear superbly within the pan, providing you with that caramelized crust that makes seared scallops so delish.
Find out how to Make Seared Scallops
![Scallops on paper towel](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-1.jpg)
![Scallops on paper towel](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-1.jpg)
![Scallops added to hot pan](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-2.jpg)
![Scallops added to hot pan](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-2.jpg)
![Butter melting in pan with scallops](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-3.jpg)
![Butter melting in pan with scallops](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-3.jpg)
![Basting scallop with butter in pan](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-5.jpg)
![Basting scallop with butter in pan](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-5.jpg)
![Parsley added to pan of butter](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-7.jpg)
![Parsley added to pan of butter](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-7.jpg)
![Spooning parsley butter onto scallops on plate](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-8.jpg)
![Spooning parsley butter onto scallops on plate](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-to-Make-Seared-Scallops-8.jpg)
Dry the Scallops. Place them on two layers of paper towels, set two extra layers on high, and gently press to soak up the surplus liquid from the scallops. Drying is CRITICAL to get a great sear on the scallops.
Prep Your Cooking Space. Warmth the oil in a forged iron skillet over excessive warmth. Whilst you anticipate this to get blazing sizzling, 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 scent 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!
![Pan seared scallops on plate](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Pan-Seared-Scallops.jpg)
![Pan seared scallops on plate](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Pan-Seared-Scallops.jpg)
Recipe Variations
- Add a Squeeze of Lemon. Identical to Baked Salmon, seared scallops are scrumptious with contemporary lemon juice.
- Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter. Use my Garlic Butter Shrimp for inspiration. This generally is a good guess if you happen to’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 might want my authentic garlic-free technique.
What to Serve with Seared Scallops
Make it a meal by pairing your scallops with certainly one of these choices.
Find out how to 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 dwelling!
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Stop your display from going darkish
- 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 contemporary 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’ll turn 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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