• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Seafood/Fish

Seared Scallops

Published: Mar 23, 2022 · Modified: May 13, 2023 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe
Pinterest image pin with title overlay of pan seared scallops with lemon slices.

These Pan Seared Scallops are mild in flavor with delicate notes of butter-garlic and fresh parsley, seared to achieve a perfect golden crust while tender on the inside.

If you’re looking for a tasty seafood dish that can be enjoyed with a plate of pasta or as an appetizer, then you need to look no further than these pan seared scallops! They’ll impress your guests and can easily be made any day of the week.

Sea scallops pan seared and served with linguine.
So simple to make, every night we enjoy a seared scallop dinner is a special night.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 🗒 Instructions
  • 🔪 Equipment
  • 🤔 FAQs
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tips
  • 📚 Variations
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📗 Related Recipes
  • 🍽 Serve with
  • 📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
  • 📝 Recipe Card
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • Pan seared scallops can be cooked in just 10 minutes! It’s a super quick recipe that you can use whenever you’re rushed for time.
  • The mild sweet flavor of scallops is enjoyed by most with a perfectly seared crust making them truly irresistible. 
  • This recipe is super versatile. You can easily use bay scallops instead of sea scallops, change the seasoning, or enjoy them as appetizers instead of with linguine as a main meal.

While it’s true that scallops can be a little tricky to make at first, once you have the necessary tips to know how to achieve perfectly pan-seared scallops, they make a fantastic addition to the dinner table!

🛒 Ingredients

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Image of the ingredients needed for making seared scallop recipe.

Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Grapeseed oil
  • Sea Scallops
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Garlic
  • Italian Parsley
  • Fresh Lemon

🗒 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

First Steps of four in making seared sea scallops recipe.
  1. After rinsing the scallops, proceed to pat them dry with paper towels. The scallops must be completely dry. 
  2. Sprinkle the scallops with flour, making sure to coat them all over. 
  3. Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
  4. Add the scallops to a pan of hot oil. Allow them to sit for 2 minutes before moving them.
Second set of instructions for making the pan seared scallops.
  1. After turning each scallop over, add in the garlic and butter, swirling it around the scallops.
  2. Add the chopped parsley, and once wilted remove the scallops (about 2 minutes of cooking time each side).
  3. Remove the scallops from the pan immediately after they have cooked.
  4. Serve the scallops with linguine and freshly cut lemon wedges.

🔪 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Large cast iron skillet
  • Sharp Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Paper Towels
  • Tongs

🤔 FAQs

These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making the Pan Seared Scallop Recipe.

How do you cook a perfect seared scallop?

These scallops should only be cooked for a maximum of 2 minutes per side in a pan of hot oil (high heat). Using a cast iron pan will also ensure an even heat throughout and you’ll also want to make sure that there is some space between the scallops so that they don’t steam each other.

Lastly, coating the scallops with flour will always result in a beautifully seared crust on the outside of every scallop!

What oil is best for searing scallops?

Oils that have a high smoke point are best for searing scallops. This includes the likes of avocado oil or grapeseed oil.

Why do you soak scallops in milk?

Soaking scallops is a method for tenderizing the meat and also removing the fishy taste and odor that is sometimes noticeable. 

Should scallops be rinsed before cooking?

Scallops generally should be rinsed before cooking them as a way to remove any potential grit still stuck to them. They don’t need to be soaked in the water though.

What is the difference between sea scallops and bay scallops?

The most noticeable difference between sea scallops and bay scallops is size. Bay scallops tend to be the size of popcorn while sea scallops are much larger, similar to the size of marshmallows.

Another distinction is flavor. Bay scallops tend to be sweeter in flavor than sea scallops which makes sense if you think about the difference in the level of salt they are exposed to.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • Make sure that you don’t overheat leftover scallops otherwise they will become quite rubbery in texture. 
  • Don’t drown the pan with oil or butter as this can result in the scallops steaming instead of crisping up. 
  • You may need to cook the scallops in batches depending on the size of the cast iron pan used or the number of scallops you intend to cook. Remember, overcrowding the scallops will result in them steaming and you won’t achieve the seared outer crust. 
  • The scallops should make a sizzling noise when added to the pan of hot oil - that’s how you know that the oil is hot enough. 
  • Apart from the 2-minute cooking time per side of scallop, you will know that the scallops are cooked when they have a golden crust on the outer edges and are translucent in the center. 
  • It’s important to thoroughly dry the scallops once rinsed as wet scallops will not sear or brown in the pan. 
A forkful of a seared scallop bite with linguine.
Every bite of a sweet scallop morsel has a delicious touch of garlic, better, and lemon.

📚 Variations

  • I’ve used sea scallops for this recipe but you could use bay scallops instead for a smaller bite-size scallop. You may need to reduce the cooking time for the smaller bay scallops. 
  • Finely chopped parsley, garlic, and simple seasoning is used in this recipe to flavor the sea scallops but go ahead and use different herbs and spices to vary your scallop flavoring. For a kick of heat, season lightly with some cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.
  • Add a bit of pesto like our Homemade Basil Pesto Without Pine nuts to the pan instead of the chopped parsley.
  • The light coating of flour on these scallops results in a golden brown sear which I love! You could also fry up some breaded sea scallops by using Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs and egg.

🥫 Storage

Scallops will always taste their best when served immediately after being cooked. If you do find that you have extra leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When serving leftover stored scallops, first allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes prior to reheating in the microwave at half-heat for about a minute.

📗 Related Recipes

I’m a huge fan of seafood and I’m guessing that you are too since you’re still reading this part of the recipe! If that’s the case, be sure to try my Sea Trout Piccata, Pesto Shrimp, or Easy Shrimp Scampi!

🍽 Serve with

I’ve served my pan seared scallops with al dente linguine pasta, scooping any remaining butter garlic sauce from the pan over each serving. It makes an incredibly tasty and easy main meal although you could quite easily serve these scallops as party appetizers on their own. 

Other side dishes that would pair well with these pan seared scallops include rice, leafy greens, or hearty protein-packed beans and peas. 

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

I’m always amazed at the reaction I get from guests or friends when serving pan-seared scallops - it’s usually a mixture of surprise and envy and I’m guessing that’s because most people are wary of cooking scallops for fear of either overcooking or undercooking them.

While cooking scallops can be tricky, it’s actually one of the easiest and quickest meals or snacks you can make once you apply a few helpful tips that I’ve laid out in this post! 

Sautéed Scallops with lemon and parsley on a white plate.

What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.

📝 Recipe Card

If you’re looking for a quick and easy seafood dish, you can’t go wrong with these pan-seared scallops. They’re seared to perfection with a golden-brown crust, flavored in a mix of butter garlic, and chopped parsley! Enjoy them with linguine pasta or another side dish of your choice. 

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

📖 Recipe

A plate filled with sautéed scallops on a white plate with lemon wedges

Pan Seared Sea Scallops With Linguine

These butter-garlic Pan Seared Scallops with a beautiful golden crust are simply irresistible! Perfect as a main meal with pasta or as an appetizer.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course Pasta, seafood main dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 597kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • 12-inch cast iron skillet
  • Sharp knife
  • Non-skid cutting board
  • Paper towels

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Grapeseed Oil
  • 1 pound Sea Scallops about 12 large
  • 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic minced
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 1 pound Linguine prepared as directed on package.
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start heating the grapeseed oil in a large cast iron skillet (or Dutch Oven) on high heat.
  • Rinse the scallops in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Make sure scallops are totally dry.
  • Sprinkle the scallops with the flour and make sure to total coat all over.
  • Season with the Kosher salt and black pepper and once the oil has become hot enough drop in the scallops one by one, but quickly.
    Don't move the scallops at all for the 2 minutes.
  • Then turn each scallop over quickly. Again, don't move the scallops.
  • Add the garlic and the butter to the pan and lift the pan a little to swirl the garlic butter around the scallops.
  • Add the chopped parsley, and once wilted remove the scallops. (The total cooking time is about 2 minutes each side).
  • Serve immediately with your favorite side. We like to serve it with pasta.

Notes

  • Make sure that you don’t overheat leftover scallops otherwise they will become quite rubbery in texture. 
  • Don’t drown the pan with oil or butter as this can result in the scallops steaming instead of crisping up. 
  • You may need to cook the scallops in batches depending on the size of the cast iron pan used or the number of scallops you intend to cook. Remember, overcrowding the scallops will result in them steaming and you won’t achieve the seared outer crust. 
  • The scallops should make a sizzling noise when added to the pan of hot oil - that’s how you know that the oil is hot enough. 
  • Apart from the 2-minute cooking time per side of scallop, you will know that the scallops are cooked when they have a golden crust on the outer edges and are translucent in the center. 
  • It’s important to thoroughly dry the scallops once rinsed as wet scallops will not sear or brown in the pan. 

Nutrition

Calories: 597kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 407IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise

    Related Posts

    • Grilled Lime Herb Fish with Truffle Oil

      Grilled Lime Herb Fish with Truffle Oil was the recipe we had been wanting to make for…

    • Sheepshead or Cod - A Very Fine Catch for Fish Chowder

      We made this creamy fish chowder with a firm white fish - Sheepshead. The tender…

    • Crispy Fried Fish for Catch of the Day Special

      Crispy Fried Fish is our method of making any catch of the day extra special.…

    More Seafood/Fish

    • Overhead view of the creamy shrimp zucchini stuffed boats in a casserole dish.
      Creamy Shrimp Zucchini Boats
    • Southern-style shrimp pasta salad with orecchiette pasta, snow peas, and lemon vinaigrette dressing.
      Zesty Southern Shrimp Pasta Salad
    • Weeknight shrimp dinner made in one skillet with lemon and tarragon over orzo pasta.
      Lemon-Tarragon Shrimp Scampi With Orzo
    • A white bowl filled with quick-cooking cheesy grits and topped with creamy New Orleans-style shrimp.
      New Orleans Shrimp and Grits
    94 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    🍿Snack Favorites

    • Macaroni and cheese stuffed into a large pepperoni slice and baked.
      Pizza Bites Appetizer and Snack
    • A glass bowl filled with creamy chickpeas made into a hummus dip.
      Homemade Hummus Recipe
    • Casserole dish with baked ground beef taco dip.
      Baked Taco Dip
    • A sausage meatball pyramid in a white plate with the appetizers pierced with toothpicks.
      Cheesy Sausage Balls

    🇮🇹 Italian Comfort Food

    • Bolognese Sauce Antica gives you a true taste of Italy. A special sauce for a special meal.
      Bolognese Sauce Antica A True Taste of Italy
    • Creamy Parmesan Baked gnocchi in a rich cheesy sauce baked in a black cast iron skillet.
      Baked Gnocchi in Parmesan Sauce
    • A cast iron skillet holding the Beefy Ravioli Bake with torn basil leaves sprinkled on top.
      Beefy Baked Ravioli
    • A white plate filled with egg sauce coated pasta with bits of pork on top and some parley leaves.
      Classic Roman Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

    🌬️ Cozy Winter Soups

    • Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe served in a white bowl and garnished with onions, bacon, and almonds.
      Savory Chicken Wild Rice Soup With Mushrooms
    • Bowl of Slow Cooker Taco Soup Topped With sour cream and corn chips.
      Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    • Brown bowl filled with chunks of meat and barley grains in a tomato broth with a spoon in the bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Hearty Beef Barley Soup - The Way Mamma Used To Make
    • Black Bean soup garnished with sliced avocado, diced red onions, and cilantro leaves.
      Southwestern Black Bean Soup

    🤤 Delicious Yet Light

    • A salad bowl filled with Strawberry Lettuce combination and grilled chicken dressed with poppyseed dressing.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
    • A glass bowl filled with orzo pasta combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, feta, seasonings, and dressed with a Greek vinaigrette.
      Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad
    • Fresh green cabbage salad made with a homemade green goddess dressing.
      Green Goddess Salad And Dressing
    • Overhead view of large white bowl filled with arugula salad tossed with pears, gorgonzola cheese, cranberries, and walnuts.
      Arugula Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 All Our Way

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.