Description
Savory garlic butter baked scallops deliver a restaurant-worthy seafood experience right at your dinner table. Succulent scallops bathed in herb-infused butter make your weeknight meal feel like a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb sea scallops
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish and Texture:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Pat 1 lb sea scallops completely dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve golden-brown searing.
- Preheat oven to 425°F and warm a large baking dish inside to prepare for cooking.
- Finely mince 4 cloves of garlic and chop ¼ cup fresh parsley into small pieces.
- Combine 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Remove hot baking dish from oven and drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil across bottom to create an even coating.
- Carefully arrange scallops in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other for proper cooking.
- Pour prepared butter and garlic mixture over scallops, thoroughly coating each piece.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup breadcrumbs evenly across the top of the scallops.
- Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until scallops turn opaque and develop a light golden color.
- Remove from oven and allow scallops to rest 2-3 minutes so internal juices can settle.
- Garnish with remaining fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Patting scallops completely dry before cooking prevents steaming and helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear that makes the dish crisp and delectable.
- Using a preheated baking dish ensures the scallops start cooking immediately and helps them cook evenly without becoming rubbery or tough.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain the crispy texture while accommodating dietary needs.
- Fresh scallops make a significant difference, so select plump, translucent scallops with a sweet ocean smell and avoid any with a strong fishy odor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 266 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 358 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg