Easy Brown Butter Scallop Scampi

Name: Easy Brown Butter Scallop Scampi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb sea scallops; 3 tbsp butter, (seperated ); 1 tsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 small lemon (juiced and zested); 1 tbsp parsley (chopped ); sea salt and pepper to taste tbsp.

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Easy brown butter scallop scampi is a delectable garlic scallop that is
seared to a golden perfection in a browned butter and garlic sauce.
This is a simple seafood recipe that is a must make.

This scallop scampi is a favorite weeknight meal that takes 15 minutes from start to finish. This fantastic seafood dish will win over a crowd in no time. We try to eat fish at least 2-3 meals a week.

scallops in a pan with parsley on top and a large fork in pan

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Easy Brown Butter Scallop Scampi

This scallop recipe is a tasty, excellent seafood recipe eaten as is or paired with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Easy to make, this seafood scampi takes 15 minutes to make.
You can use frozen or fresh scallops for this recipe.
You can adjust the ingredients to suit what you have on hand or what you are looking for in terms of flavor.
You can make a lot or a little of this recipe. It is delicious enough to serve up if you are hosting an event or looking for an elegant dinner party recipe.

🛒 Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you will need for this easy scallop recipe.

Sea scallops
butter
olive oil
garlic
Parsley
lemon
salt and pepper

🔪 How to Make Brown Butter Scallop Scampi

This is a quick walkthrough on how to make brown butter scallop scampi. The full directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Start by cleaning your scallops and trimming away any flaps, also known as the “foot” of the scallops. Pat dry.

Then, heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add butter to the pan and let it get hot. Add the oil as well.

Next, add the garlic and allow it to become fragrant. Then, remove the garlic from the pan and set it to the side.

overhead shot of scallops and fresh herbs in pan

Season the scallops as directed and sear them on both sides in the skillet. Once the scallops are cooked, remove them from the heat and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley.

Toss and coat in the butter and garlic mixture. Then, serve with all your favorite sides.

Equipment Needed

Skillet
Tongs
Lemon Zester
Garlic Press

🥫Storage

You can easily place the scallops in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 1-2 days. Then, you can carefully reheat them and eat them the next day. Just watch the reheating, as the scallops will become rubbery if you overheat.

If you want to freeze the scallops, you can do so for 1-2 months. Simply place them in an airtight freezer container. Then, thaw in the fridge overnight for a slow thaw. Then, reheat as you like.

scallops in a pan with sauce and herbs on top

💭Tips

Do not crowd the pan. You will want to place your scallops in a single layer that does not touch the pan.

Using a higher heat will create a nice sear on the scallops.

Do not use low-smoke oil; it will begin to smoke a lot as you heat the scallops in the pan. High-heat oil is best.

It is important to trim the scallops beforehand; otherwise, you will have chewy scallops that are not very enjoyable.

⁉️FAQs

What are the most common scallops?

The most common scallops are bay scallops or sea scallops. You can use either for this scampi recipe.

Is it safe to eat scallops often?

The FDA recommends that you eat 8-12 ounces of scallops a week. Scallops can contain high levels of pollutants, and eating more than that each week can cause issues with gout, kidney trouble, and even kidney stones.

Do you have to pat dry your scallops first?

Pat down your scallops on both sides to remove excess moisture. This will help the seasonings stick and allow you to create that perfect sear outside the scallops.

Brown Butter Scallop Scampi in pan with fresh herbs sprinkled on top

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