Lemon Butter Sauteed Scallops

Scallop Recipes

I love scallops and have many scallop recipes on my site. This sauteed scallops with lemon butter sauce and garlic is the best way to cook scallops. For this recipe, I used bay scallops.

How to Cook Scallops?

Cooking scallops is very easy, especially a quick saute with a bit of fat such as olive oil and/or butter on a pan or skillet.

You can use a non-stick, stainless or cast-iron skillet to cook scallops, both sea scallops and bay scallops. The technique and method are the same, however the cooking time differs based on the type of scallops used and how big they are.

Bay Scallops Vs. Sea Scallops

Bay scallops are found from the coasts of North Carolina to Massachusetts in north America. They are also called Cape Cod or Long Island Scallops. Bay scallops are commonly sold in the seafood department of grocery stores, fresh or frozen.

They are smaller in size compared to sea scallops, and the color ranges from creamy ivory color to light pink. Some has a slight yellow tint. Bay scallops are very sweet and very tender.

Sea scallops are also called diver scallops and they are commonly served in restaurants. They are found from the Gulf of Mexico to North Carolina. Some are farm raised and imported. Sea scallops are bigger in size but the taste is not as sweet as bay scallops.

Both types of scallops are great for broiling, sauteing, grilling and poaching.

Ingredients for Sauteed Scallops

This sauteed scallops recipe calls for the following ingredients:

• Scallops
• Garlic
• Olive oil/butter
• Lemon juice
• White wine. Optional
• Salt and ground black pepper

Cooking Tips

• Buy natural scallops. Ask your fishmonger or look for the description on the label if you buy frozen scallops.
• Rinse the scallops with water and pat dry with paper towels. This will make sure that the sauteed scallops won’t turn overly watery after cooking.
• Bay scallops cook very fast, as soon as they turn opaque and milky water starts to seep out from them, they are cooked. Turn off the heat so they are not overcooked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Scallops Healthy?

Yes, scallops are absolutely healthy as they are almost fat free and cholesterol free. They are rich in minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Also, more than 80% of scallops are protein.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This bay scallops recipe is only 266 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This dish is best served with a main dish of pasta or bread. For a healthy meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Marinated Tomatoes

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Gnocchi

Cheesy Garlic Bread