Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsO'Brien's Oyster Bar & Seafood TavernPan-seared Scallops Recipe

Pan-seared Scallops Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Olive oil seared, plated over wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes. Finished with a lemon butter sauce.

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Ingredients

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Scallops

Wilted Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

Lemon Butter Sauce

Method

Preparing the Scallops

  1. 1

    Pat Dry the Scallops

    Use paper towels to pat the scallops dry. This helps achieve a good sear.

  2. 2

    Season the Scallops

    Season both sides of the scallops with salt and black pepper.

  3. 3

    Heat Olive Oil

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

  4. 4

    Sear the Scallops

    Add the scallops in a single layer, making sure they do not touch. Sear for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Cooking Spinach and Tomatoes

  1. 5

    Sauté Garlic

    In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic (2 cloves). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

  2. 6

    Add Spinach and Tomatoes

    Add the fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tomatoes are softened. Season with salt and black pepper.

Making the Lemon Butter Sauce

  1. 7

    Prepare the Sauce

    In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add minced garlic clove and sauté for 1 minute.

  2. 8

    Add Lemon Juice and Season

    Stir in the lemon juice, fresh parsley, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Plating the Dish

  1. 9

    Plate the Spinach and Scallops

    On each plate, place a generous serving of the wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes. Top with 3 scallops per plate.

  2. 10

    Drizzle with Sauce

    Spoon the warm lemon butter sauce over the scallops and serve immediately.

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