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Garlic Butter Baked Scallops

Garlic Butter Baked Scallops
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Garlic Butter Baked Scallops are a quick and elegant seafood dish featuring tender scallops bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, fresh, and bright flavors. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, these scallops deliver a luxurious, restaurant-quality taste at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Scallops

  • Fresh dry-packed scallops (quantity depending on serving size)

Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 2–3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps them sear properly and prevents steaming during baking.
  2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter gently in a small saucepan or microwave. Stir in the freshly minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let the garlic infuse the butter without allowing it to burn, preserving a mellow and fragrant flavor.
  3. Arrange the Scallops: Place the scallops in a single layer in an oven-safe baking dish. Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce evenly over the scallops to coat each one thoroughly.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Bake the scallops in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they turn opaque and become slightly firm to the touch yet remain tender and juicy inside. Take care not to overcook to avoid a rubbery texture.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the scallops for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Choose dry scallops without added preservatives for the best flavor and texture.
  • Pat scallops completely dry before baking to ensure proper searing.
  • Remove scallops from the oven as soon as they turn opaque to keep them tender.
  • Lemon juice balances the richness of the butter sauce and should not be skipped.
  • Use fresh minced garlic rather than garlic powder for authentic flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Butter Baked Scallops, quick scallop recipe, baked scallops, seafood appetizer, elegant seafood dish, gluten free scallops, easy dinner seafood

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