Description
A simple yet elegant recipe for Garlic Butter Baked Scallops, featuring tender scallops bathed in a fragrant garlic lemon butter sauce and baked to a golden perfection. Perfect for a quick gourmet meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound fresh scallops
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté it until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Lemon Juice: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice to infuse a bright, tangy flavor into the butter sauce.
- Arrange Scallops: Place the fresh scallops evenly in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are spaced out for even cooking.
- Pour Garlic Butter: Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the scallops, coating each piece thoroughly for maximum flavor.
- Add Parsley and Bake: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the scallops for a burst of herbal freshness and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes until the scallops are opaque and lightly golden.
- Serve: Remove the scallops from the oven and serve immediately, drizzling with any remaining garlic butter from the baking dish for added richness.
Notes
- Use fresh scallops for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook scallops as they can become tough and rubbery; bake until just opaque.
- Feel free to add a pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes for a subtle hint of spice.
- Serve with crusty bread or a light salad to complement the rich garlic butter sauce.
