Description
Enjoy a simple yet indulgent dish with these Garlic Butter Baked Scallops. Tender scallops are bathed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon and fresh parsley, baked to perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant appetizer for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound scallops
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the scallops.
- Melt Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until fully liquefied.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook gently until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic.
- Add Lemon and Parsley: Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley into the garlic butter mixture to infuse flavor.
- Prepare Scallops: Place the scallops evenly in a baking dish, seasoning them with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Pour Garlic Butter: Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce evenly over the scallops, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake: Bake the scallops in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn opaque and are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the scallops warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not overcook scallops as they can become rubbery; cook timing depends on their size.
- Fresh parsley is preferred for vibrant flavor, but dried parsley can be used in a pinch.
- For extra zest, you can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
