Pan-Seared Oyster Bar Scallops with Garlic Butter and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Tender sea scallops pan-seared until golden, finished with a bright garlic butter and fresh lemon juice, inspired by coastal oyster bar flavors. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs sea scallops, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 12 large, patted dry sea scallops
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Season 12 large sea scallops evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Step 3: Place scallops in the skillet, spaced apart, and sear for 2-3 minutes without moving until the bottoms are golden brown and release easily.
4. Step 4: Flip the scallops and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, spooning melted butter and garlic over scallops until cooked through and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, coating the scallops.
6. Step 6: Serve immediately with the pan juices spooned over the top.