Name: Pan Seared Scallops with Garlic, Capers, and Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 4 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb scallops; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp salted butter; 3 whole garlic cloves; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 tbsp chopped parsley; 1 tbsp capers in brine; 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper

Description

A simple and elegant pan-seared scallops recipe that highlights tender scallops cooked to a perfect golden sear, enhanced with garlic, thyme, capers, and a buttery lemon sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, this American seafood dish delivers rich flavors with minimal ingredients and quick preparation time.

Ingredients

Seafood

1 lb scallops

Oils & Fats

1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp salted butter

Herbs & Aromatics

3 whole garlic cloves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Other Flavorings

1 tbsp capers in brine
2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Scallops: Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step prevents sticking, especially if using cast iron or stainless steel pans.
Sear First Side: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Place scallops flat side down along with whole garlic cloves and thyme sprigs. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the scallops develop a golden sear while infusing the oil with garlic and thyme flavors.
Flip and Add Butter & Capers: Flip the scallops. Add butter and capers to the pan, cooking until the second side browns and scallops are cooked through.
Make Lemon Sauce: Remove scallops to a plate. Return the pan to stovetop and add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the buttery mixture. Swirl and stir to release browned bits, creating an emulsion. Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat.
Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped parsley into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the scallops and garnish with additional parsley. Add more lemon juice as desired before serving.

Notes

Ensure the pan is properly preheated before adding scallops to prevent sticking—test by dropping water; if it crackles and slides, the pan is ready.
Keep garlic cloves whole to prevent burning during cooking.
Use whole thyme sprigs so they can be easily removed after flavoring the dish, or leave them for garnish.
This recipe works best with a non-stick pan if you want to avoid seafood sticking issues.

Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American