Name: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound scallops (thawed); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 5 cloves minced garlic; 1/4 cup white wine ((can substitute chicken broth)); 2 tablespoons lemon juice

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

For other seafood recipes, try our Bang Bang Shrimp or our Easiest Broiled Lobster Tails.

Why Our Recipe

Perfectly seared scallops with a golden crust every time.
A simple garlic butter sauce with a tasty lemon kick.
Ready in just 15 minutes for a fancy yet easy meal.

An overhead view of a white plate with lemon garlic scallops and lemon wedges.

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

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make lemon garlic scallops.

Scallops: Ensure your scallops are dry before using them. Pat them down 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 gives to this recipe, but you can also substitute it with chicken broth if you prefer.
Lemon juice: We like using fresh lemon juice for that extra pack of citrus flavor, but you can also use bottled lemon juice if needed.

Buying Fresh Scallops

Your best option for buying fresh scallops is to get them from the seafood counter at your local grocery store. You might have the option to buy dry or wet scallops, and we suggest buying dry scallops if possible so that they will sear more easily. If you need to, you can buy pre-packed scallops, but they might have a stronger fishy smell and taste.

Cooking the Scallops

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

A plate of lemon garlic scallops with lemon slices and asparagus on the side.

Serving Suggestions

These lemon garlic scallops are so versatile, so 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 on rice. Feel free to mix it up and use these scallops with your favorite meals!