Brown Butter Scallops
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
Brown Butter Scallops
Description
This recipe for Brown Butter Scallops starts by carefully removing the side muscles and drying the scallops to ensure proper searing. They are seasoned with kosher salt and pepper, then seared in batches over medium-high heat in butter until golden brown on both sides and just opaque inside. The pan is then reduced to medium-low where the remaining butter is melted gradually to brown, developing nutty flavors.
Minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs are added to the butter, releasing fragrant aromatics into the sauce. The scallops return briefly to the skillet to be spooned with this flavored brown butter, enhancing their taste and texture. Serving immediately with lemon wedges helps cut through the richness and adds a fresh citrus note.
This dish suits an elegant seafood course or special meal, highlighting the natural sweet taste of scallops elevated by the compound butter sauce and herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds scallops about 24
- salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 6 tablespoons butter divided, unsalted
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 thyme sprigs, fresh
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.
- Season scallops with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches, add scallops to the skillet in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and translucent in the center, about 1-2 minutes per side. Set aside and keep warm.
- Reduce heat to medium low; melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the butter starts to foam.
- Add garlic and thyme to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Return scallops to the skillet; spoon butter over scallops for 1 minute.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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