Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender scallops seared to a golden crust and finished with a fragrant garlic butter sauce, inspired by coastal oyster bar flavors. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs large sea scallops, unsalted butter, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 12 large sea scallops with paper towels and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Step 3: Add scallops in a single layer, searing without moving for 2-3 minutes until bottoms are golden brown and edges are opaque.
  4. Step 4: Flip scallops carefully and cook for another 2 minutes until just cooked through; remove scallops from skillet and keep warm.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then immediately return scallops to the pan, spooning the garlic butter sauce over them for 30 seconds.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and plate scallops, spooning any remaining garlic butter sauce on top; serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with 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 large sea scallops from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with 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 Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with Garlic Butter?

American 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.

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