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Garlic Butter Herb Scallops are pan seared and have the best buttery garlic herb sauce. This is a quick and simple meal that tastes straight from a restaurant!
If you looking for another amazing scallop recipe, be sure to check out these Pan Seared Scallops with a Lemon Caper Sauce!
Garlic Butter Herb Scallops
If you’ve never tried scallops then you are in for a treat! Fish, seafood, turkey, and chicken have been a huge part of my diet lately and when I wanted something just as healthy to switch things up, I added in scallops.
They are often described as similar to crab or lobster, but more firm. Their flavor tends to be sweet and delicate, but it’s the texture that really makes them interesting and enticing. When cooked correctly, they are soft and chewy but not rubbery or tough. This recipe is packed with flavor and you will LOVE how they taste!
Are sea scallops good for you?
Scallops are 80 percent protein and a good source of magnesium and potassium. They are a delicious and healthy entree but once you add in the butter and garlic, they have so much flavor!
How to Make Garlic Butter Herb Scallops
These scallops are quick and easy to make!
- Add Scallops to Brine: In a medium-sized bowl combine salt and 1 cup hot water, stirring to dissolve the salt. Add ice water to cool the brine. Add scallops to the brine and let stand for 10 minutes. Line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside.
- Drain and Pat: Drain the scallops, rinse under cold water, and then arrange in a single layer on the paper towel-lined sheet pan. Place another paper towel on top of the scallops and gently pat scallops. Remove as much surface moisture as possible for the best browning results when cooked.
- Cook: In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and let heat until it starts to smoke. Salt and pepper the capers and add to the skillet. Sear scallops for 3- 3 1/2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté with butter: Add the butter, garlic, and fresh herbs. Sauté for 1-2 minutes and add the scallops back to the pan and heat through. Garnish with lemon and fresh chopped parsley on top.
Sides to Serve with Scallops
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Garlic Butter Herb Scallops
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 Pound Large Scallops
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon capers
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon cup freshly chopped oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- garnish with lemon wedges and chopped parsley if desired
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl combine salt and 1 cup hot water, stirring to dissolve the salt. Add ice water to cool the brine. Add scallops to the brine and let stand for 10 minutes. Line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside.
- Drain the scallops, rinse under cold water, and then arrange in a single layer on the paper towel-lined sheet pan. Place another paper towel on top of the scallops and gently pat scallops. Remove as much surface moisture as possible for the best browning results when cooked.
- In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and let heat until it starts to smoke. Salt and pepper the capers and add to the skillet. Sear scallops for 3- 3 1/2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Add the butter, garlic, and fresh herbs. Saute for 1-2 minutes and add the scallops back to the pan and heat through. Garnish with lemon and fresh chopped parsley on top.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As a chef, I make Patagonian and Bay scallops this way frequently. The thing with the capers is something I just want to clear up because people seem to be confused. They look like tiny peas and are the flowering buds of the caper bush. They are salty and tangy and perfectly compliment many varieties of seafood and fish, especially with Hollandaise over salmon, or a buerre blanc over white fish. It is simply a matter of taste how many you use or don’t use when making this recipe. What Alyssa was trying to explain was take the capers from the jar, drain them, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and then put them in the pan to saute with the herbs. Pretty straightforward. If you want, you can leave off with the salt since capers are already brined in their jar. You can even brine the scallops in the caper brine, but you may not want the extra salt, so taste a few first to determine whether you want to use them at all, or how much. Asking for a measurement is unnecessary, because it’s like sprinkling parsley over a dish. It’s about what you want your dish to taste and look like, so don’t think of them as a measurable ingredient, but more of a garnish. Cheers!
Fantastic advice. Thanks Chef Charlotte.
In #3 of the instructions, it states to salt and pepper the capers and add to the skillet. Sear scallops… It probably should read salt and pepper the scallops and add to the skillet. Seems the capers should go in with the butter and herbs, not instead of the scallops?
Salt and pepper the capers and add to the skillet.
It says that in the above recipe, that’s why everyone keeps asking you about capers. I copied the above directly from your recipe. I don’t think you meant for that sentence to be there.
Thinking it should read “salt and pepper the scallops” as in the video?
This recipe appears to use capers but they are not listed in the ingredients so don’t know how much to use??
The capers are optional. There are no capers in the scallops. You are welcome to add them if you like. I would recommend adding about 1/4 cup or less. The scallops are so flavorful! Enjoy!
HI, just use “dry pack” scallops they tend to be better fro cooking-keep up the good work!…bc
Can’t wait to try these. I’ve never had scallops with these particular herbs. And like Rachel, I’ve never thought about brining them. Could you provide an amount for the capers? Thanks for your wonderful recipes!
The capers are for your preference.
Some of us have never had capers so a general idea of how much to add would be helpful since we don’t know what they taste like or what would be to much. Thank you.
Hi there Alyssa !!
Only one critique. Please could you include the nutritional information along with your recipes ? I cook with your recipes and suggestions all the time, but usually end up going online to find a similar recipe ( I use yours, it is only for reference ) so that I can get a caloric value.
That’s it. I enjoy your blog immensely, not only your recipes, but also your prose. And I don’t plan on deserting you, just a curiosity.
Thanks for giving us all these wonderful flavors.
I like to use skinnytaste.com or myfitnesspal.com for any nutritional information. Hope you find what you are looking for.
How many capers
That is your preference
I love scallops. I have never tried them in a brine first. Will be now!! In step 3 you mention capers? Looking forward to trying this recipe. Sounds yummy.
Where is the nutritional information for each recipe posted?
I like to use skinnytaste.com or myfitnesspal.com for any nutritional information. Hope that helps! XOXO
congratulations on the weight loss and 10 months! thank you for the recipe too, good tips, since rubbery scallops are something I too frequently make, unintentionally of course
I think I need to introduce my family to scallops! We love crab and these seem so much easier! Thanks for sharing this recipe! Looks delicious!