Lemon Garlic Scallops

With just a few ingredients and 15 minutes, you can create a dish that looks and tastes like a fancy restaurant. Our Lemon Garlic Scallops are perfectly seared to perfection and covered in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with just the right touch of bright lemon. This recipe walks you through the quick and easy steps that will have them on your table in no time. We can guarantee you’ll be cooking these scallops often!

For more seafood recipes, try our Bang Bang Shrimp or our simpler Grilled Lobster Tails.

Scallops will add so much to whatever meal you’re making, but they’re so easy to make! Just a few ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time and you’ve got a delicious, versatile protein source ready to go, and our lemon garlic sauce is super easy to make, too.

Notes on ingredients

• Scallops: Make sure the scallops are dry before using them. Pat them dry with a paper towel or clean towel to remove all moisture, otherwise they may not brown.
• White wine: We love the flavor that white wine adds to this recipe, but you can also replace it with chicken broth if you prefer.
• Lemon juice: We like to use fresh lemon juice for that extra pop of citrus flavor, but you can also use bottled lemon juice if needed.

Buy fresh scallops

Your best bet for purchasing fresh scallops is to purchase them from the seafood counter of your local grocery store. You may have the option of purchasing dried or wet scallops, and we recommend purchasing dried scallops if possible so they sear more easily. If necessary, you can purchase pre-packaged scallops, but they may have a stronger fishy smell and taste.

Cooking Scallops

We love the way they cook these scallops because you get this delicious golden brown crust that offers great flavor and texture. To get that crust without overcooking the scallops, you need to make sure the scallops are dry by using a clean towel or paper towel before you start cooking them. You also don’t want to overcrowd the pan as you cook—you can cook the scallops in batches if necessary.

Serving Tips

These Lemon Garlic Scallops are so versatile, you could incorporate them into all kinds of meals. The sauce is so bright and flavorful that you don’t need much else, so these scallops work great with pasta or rice. Feel free to mix it up and use these scallops with your favorite side dishes!