Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter
Plump sea scallops seared to golden perfection and braised in a bright Aperol-infused butter sauce, balanced by zesty lemon and garlic. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs Sea scallops, Aperol, Butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 450g Sea scallops
- 60ml Aperol
- 45g Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 Lemon
- 20g Fresh parsley
- 15ml Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 450g sea scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 15ml olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add scallops and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes until deeply golden brown on the bottom.
- Step 3: Flip scallops and cook for 1 minute more until just opaque around the edges. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 4: Add 45g butter to the same skillet over medium heat. Mince 2 garlic cloves and add to the butter, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Pour in 60ml Aperol and simmer for 2 minutes until the alcohol evaporates and the sauce reduces slightly, bubbling gently.
- Step 6: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into the pan and stir in 20g finely chopped parsley. Return scallops to the pan and coat evenly, cooking for 1 minute more until heated through and the sauce thickens slightly to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 7: Transfer scallops to a serving plate and spoon the sauce over them, ensuring each is generously coated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sea scallops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Aperol-Braised Scallops with Lemon-Garlic Butter?
Italian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
