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

Cook’s 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

Yield: 2 people

Lemon Butter Sauteed Scallops

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Lemon butter sauteed scallops is one of the best scallop recipes, with lemon butter sauce, garlic and bay scallops. Learn how to cook scallops with this easy 10 minutes recipe on skillet.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. (0.4 kg) frozen bay scallops, thawed, rinsed and pat dry with paper towels
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 dashes ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Heat up a skillet with the melted butter. Saute the garlic by stirring with spatula a few times. Add the bay scallops, stir and saute. Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper.
   
2. As soon as the surface of the scallops turn opaque and water starts to seep out from the scallops, turn off the heat. Dish out and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size

2 people
Amount Per Serving Calories 266Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 85mgSodium 891mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 28g