Citrus-Scented Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

Plump scallops seared to perfection and finished with a bright, buttery citrus sauce for an elegant yet simple seafood dish. This French-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs sea scallops, unsalted butter, white wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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

• 16 large (1.5 lbs / 680g) sea scallops
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1, juiced lemon
• 1, finely minced shallot
• 2 tablespoons, finely chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add scallops in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes undisturbed until golden brown, then flip and cook for 1-2 minutes more until opaque and just cooked through. Transfer scallops to a plate and set aside.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup white wine, 1 minced shallot, and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the skillet. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until liquid reduces by half and thickens slightly, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped chives and return scallops to the skillet, coating them in the sauce. Cook for 1 minute until warmed through and sauce is glossy, adjusting seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.