The secret to perfect Pan Seared Scallops is cooking them quickly in a blazing hot cast iron pan and basting them with butter
Dinner is ready in 15 minutes!
Intimidated by cooking scallops?
Once you follow the easy step by step instructions below you will become a pro in no time! This pan seared scallops method is easy, but each step is important to follow. The best part is the whole process only takes 15 minutes.
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Cooking Tips for Perfect Pan Seared Scallops:
- Buy large or jumbo scallops for this recipe. They are also called U-10 scallops. Bay scallops are very small and have a different taste and cooking method.
- Frozen scallops are harder to sear unless you completely defrost and dry them, so it’s best to get wet-packed or dry-packed scallops at the fish counter.
- Scallops have a small muscle on the side of them that needs to be removed. It can easily be pulled off. The muscle will become very tough and rubbery when cooked so definitely take the time to remove it. See steps 1 and 2 photos below.
- Always rinse scallops prior to use in cold water because sand can hide in the tiny cracks. We love the beach but nobody wants sandy scallops!
Perfectly Seared Scallops and Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Dill Aioli
Dry scallops are the key to a perfect sear
- Dry the scallops completely by patting dry with paper towels for 10-15 minutes. Put them on top of paper towels and also press down on the top of the scallops with a paper towel. This is crucial to getting a great sear so don’t skip this step! See step 3 in the photos below.
- Once dried, season liberally with salt and freshly ground pepper. See step 4 in the photos below.
FIRST STEP: Scallop with muscle removed 
SECOND STEP: Scallops muscles removed
THIRD STEP: Dry on a paper towel 
FOURTH STEP: Scallops with salt & pepper
How to Cook Scallops in Cast Iron
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan, preferably a cast-iron skillet.
- Add the oil and make sure it is blazing hot, but not smoking.
- Place scallops carefully in a hot pan in a single layer and don’t crowd
- How long to cook seared scallops: Sear – without touching or moving for about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes on each side. This is the most important part – do not move them – but wait until they are beautifully golden brown.
- If you try to flip them and they aren’t fairly easy to release then wait another 15-20 seconds. When they are ready they will release easily.
- Use a metal spatula or tongs – not a rubber spatula.
- Flip scallops to the other side and reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter and let it melt all around scallops. Using a large spoon baste the scallops with the melted butter.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron pan use your heaviest bottom pan
Scallops beginning to sear Golden Brown Crust Finish with butter baste
How long to sear scallops:
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until the side centers of the scallops are opaque. The exact time will depend on the size of your scallops.
- Remove from pan and plate the scallops.
- Optional: Add lemon slices to pan and sear for about 30-45 seconds on each side. Use as a garnish
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley (optional). If desired drizzle the remaining butter in the pan over the plated scallops.
Seared Lemon Slices Scallops served with seared lemon slices
Our Sommeliers wine pairings for pan seared scallops:
A medium-bodied white wine with bright acidity will contrast well with the tangy lemons and butter alongside these briny scallops.
Your weekday wines:
- Pascal Jolivet Sauvignon Blanc, France
- Domaine Adele Rouze Quincy White Wine, France
Your weekend wines:
- Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre, France
- Sauvion Sancerre, France
Special Occasion Wines:
- Laurent Perrier Cuvee Rose, Limited Edition, Tiger Cage Champagne, France
- Dom Perignon Champagne, France
What to serve with Seared Scallops
Pan seared Scallops pair perfectly with nearly every side dish, including vegetables, potatoes or rice. Try one of these dishes on our site:
- Tricolore Salad with Vinaigrette
- Braised Leeks with Parmesan
- Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Dill Aioli
- Spicy Szechuan Green Beans
Cooking with cast iron pans
Cast iron pans are workhorses in the kitchen, very affordable, and get better with age. Once you start cooking with cast iron you will never look back! We prefer the Lodge brand of cast iron and here’s your link to the 10.25″ pan we use over and over.
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Perfect Pan Seared Scallops
Equipment
- Large Heavy bottomed pan
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs jumbo scallops, wet or dry-packed, side muscle removed
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ Tbsp olive or vegetable oil
- 1½ Tbsp butter cut into pieces
- 4 slices lemon, optional garnish
- 2 tsp Italian parsley, chopped, optional garnish
Instructions
- Prepare scallops by removing side muscle. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. Once dry, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat a heavy bottom or cast iron skillet over medium-high and add olive oil. Heat until the oil is very hot but not smoking.
- Carefully add scallops in a single layer and do not crowd.
- Sear undisturbed for 1½-2 minutes, until golden brown. Scallops should release easily from the pan. If not, let them cook a little longer.
- Turn each scallop over with metal tongs or spatula. Reduce heat to medium and add butter pieces.
- Using a large spoon baste the scallops with the melted butter and cook for about 60-90 seconds further. The center side of the scallops should be opaque.
- Remove scallops from the pan and onto plates. The scallops should have a golden crust.Add lemon slices to the pan and sear on each side for 30-45 seconds.
- Add a lemon slice to each plate as a garnish. Drizzle the butter from the pan on top of scallops and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve.
Notes
- If using frozen scallops be sure they are 100% thawed before using them.
- U-10 size scallops are recommended. Don’t use bay scallops
- Be sure to remove the side muscle from the side of the scallops. Gently pull it off and discard it.
Deb
I’d never made scallops before so I was apprehensive. I found your recipe and followed it exactly. They don’t scare me anymore ….except for the price!!
Cyndy
So glad you liked them. They are much easier than expected to prepare, and, yes, for the price we want them perfect!
Charles
Always prepare the scallops last on your menu, in fact I prepare and load the plates with every other part of the entre before even starting to cook the scallops.
Cyndy
Great tip!
Billie Fretz
Love, Love, Love Scallops! This Simply wonderful, yet Easy way to make Scallops is great, the Scallops are the Star…
Ryan
This worked great! Thanks so very much!
Eve M
Can’t wait to try! Great job with explaining the steps…wish me luck!
Jayne
Thanks Eve – you’ve got this!
LJ DUPONT
Well this couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time! Hahah! I was just telling my hubby I was craving for scallops & didn’t have recipes. Now we do. Thank you for sharing the recipe & confirming my thoughts to cook this now. Hehe
Jayne
I love good timing! Hope they turn out great for you!
Danielle Wolter
I cannot stop drooling over these scallops. They look so perfect and buttery and delicious! Love the idea of sauteing the lemon slices too.
Dannii
These look perfectly cooked. I love the crispy edges.
Veena Azmanov
Delicious and so yum. I am drooling. My kids to love it all.
Amy Chung
Yes! I was so scared to sear scallops back in the day and it not a cheap ingredient to stuff up! The key really is to dry it well. I couldn’t agree more. You’ve inspired me to use scallop for dinner this weekend! Thanks:)
Tonje
Yum! I love scallops, especially with lemon!