5 Simple Garlic Lemon Scallop Recipes You Must Try

Recipe 1: Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops

Scallops are known for their sweet, delicate flavor and tender texture, making them a favorite in seafood cuisine. Here’s a simple yet luxurious recipe for Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops that will make your taste buds dance.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of one lemon
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preparation: Rinse the scallops and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Cooking: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the scallops, ensuring they are not crowded. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they have a golden crust.
3. Add Flavor: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. As it melts, add the minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Swirl the pan to mix everything together, spooning the sauce over the scallops to coat them well.
4. Finish: Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

🍋 Note: Make sure to not overcook the scallops; they should remain tender in the center.

Recipe 2: Scallops with Lemon Caper Sauce

Enhance your scallops with a tangy lemon caper sauce for an elegant yet easy meal. This recipe adds a delightful briny flavor that complements the sweetness of the scallops.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the scallops by rinsing, drying, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add scallops, cooking for 2 minutes per side until they are nicely seared.
3. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in the lemon juice and capers, cooking for an additional minute to let the flavors meld.
4. Serve the scallops hot, drizzled with the lemon caper sauce.

Recipe 3: Garlic Lemon Herb Scallops

Infuse your scallops with aromatic herbs alongside garlic and lemon for a fresh, vibrant dish that’s perfect for a light meal or appetizer.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Zest of one lemon
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon each of fresh basil, thyme, and dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Season scallops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic slices, and cook until they just start to brown, then remove garlic from the pan and set aside.
3. Increase heat to medium-high, add scallops, and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
4. Return garlic to the pan, add lemon zest, juice, and herbs. Toss together briefly and serve.

🌿 Note: Fresh herbs will provide the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if necessary; just reduce the quantity by half.

Recipe 4: Citrus and Garlic Grilled Scallops

Grilling adds a charred flavor that pairs wonderfully with the brightness of citrus and the sharpness of garlic.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 orange, zested and juiced
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to high heat.
2. Pat the scallops dry and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix olive oil, garlic, orange and lemon zest, and juice in a bowl.
4. Brush scallops with this marinade, letting them sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Grill scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side, ensuring not to overcook.

Recipe 5: Garlic Lemon Scallop Pasta

Combine the luxuriousness of scallops with a comforting bowl of pasta for an indulgent meal that feels both fancy and homely.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 2 lemons
• ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream
• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Turn up the heat to medium-high, add scallops, and cook until they are browned on the outside, about 2 minutes per side. Remove scallops and set aside.
4. Reduce heat, add lemon juice and cream to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it simmer slightly, then stir in Parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Return the scallops to the skillet and warm through.
6. Serve garnished with parsley.

These recipes highlight how the simple combination of garlic, lemon, and scallops can create a variety of dishes from sophisticated to comforting. Whether you're aiming to impress at a dinner party or just seeking to elevate your weeknight meal, these garlic lemon scallop recipes are both delicious and manageable. The balance of flavors, along with the delicate nature of scallops, ensures a dining experience that’s both refined and delightful.