Garlic Butter Cast Iron Scallops

Cast iron scallops are so tender they melt in your mouth. Seared and cooked in buttery garlic sauce, these succulent shellfish are the perfect appetizer or main entree to a special meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Imagine biting into these juicy, plump scallops that have been seared to perfection in a hot cast iron skillet. Whether it's date night dinner or an impressive meal for friends and family, these mouthwatering morsels of sea goodness pack big flavor without the fuss of complex recipes.

You'll love that this recipe is:

• Easy. Even if you're a new cook, you can make this dish with ease.
• Delicious. The scallops are cooked to perfection. They're tender and juicy on the inside, with a crispy crust on the outside.
• Versatile. You can serve it as a main course or as an appetizer.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Cast Iron Scallops Ingredients
• How to Make Cast Iron Scallops
• Serving Suggestions
• Related Recipes
• Substitutions and Variations
• Equipment
• Storage and Reheating
• Tips for Success
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Food Safety
• Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
• Connect with Smells Like Delish!
• 📖 Recipe

Cast Iron Scallops Ingredients

This recipe uses the larger Sea scallops, not the small Bay scallops. The difference between seas scallops and bay scallops are that sea scallops are found in deeper waters than bay scallops.

Sea scallops are also larger in diameter, while bay scallops are more like pop corn. For this recipe, the larger sea scallops make perfect sized appetizers!

• Sea Scallops - Fresh or frozen, rinsed and patted dry.
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Blackening Seasoning - Any brand, or make your own with our Blackening Seasoning Recipe.
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic - Fresh, minced.
• Lemon wedges - For garnish.
• Parsley - Fresh, minced for garnish.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cast Iron Scallops

Searing scallops in cast iron skillets adds smoke smoky flavor and crispy crust reminiscent of scallops served at high-end restaurants.

This cast iron scallop recipe is an incredibly simple way to make juicy, delicious scallops in just minutes.

Prepare The Scallops

1. Wash the scallops and then pat them dry so that excess water is blotted off.
   
   
2. Place the scallops in a bowl and add the Blackening Seasoning, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic to the bowl.

Coat With Seasoning

3. Toss the scallops in the seasonings to coat them evenly.

Sear The Scallops

4. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is very hot before adding the scallops!
   
   
5. Add the scallops to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Don't over cook!

Drizzle With Garlic Butter

6. Remove the skillet from the burner and transfer the scallops to a serving platter.
   
   
7. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the scallops and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe for Cast Iron Scallops is a delicious and easy dish that's perfect for any occasion. It's light and refreshing enough to enjoy on a summer day, but it's also hearty enough to serve as a winter main course.

Some additional sides or complementary appetizers to serve with cast iron seared scallops would include our recipes for:

• Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
• Air Fryer Broccolini
• Caramelized Onion Dip
• Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls
• Savory Puff Pastry Tarts
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Related Recipes

• Lemon Cast Iron Chicken Breast
• Cast Iron Flank Steak
• Lime Marinated Flat Iron Steak
• Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
• Cast Iron Baked Potato Kugel

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few delicious variations using this cast iron scallops recipe:

• If you don't have cast iron skillet, you can use a stainless steel skillet. Just make sure to preheat the skillet over medium-high heat before adding the scallops.
• You can also substitute other types of seafood for the scallops. Some popular options include shrimp, halibut, or salmon.
• If you want to add more flavor to the dish, you can add a splash of white wine or lemon juice to the skillet while the scallops are cooking.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use making cast iron seared scallops.

• Cast Iron Skillet, 9"
• Cast Iron Grilling Pan, Square

Storage and Reheating

• Leftover scallops can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• You can also freeze these cast iron seared scallops for up to 3 months.
• To reheat the scallops, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, heat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
• Don't reheat in the microwave, it will make them rubbery.

Tips for Success

• Make sure to pat the scallops dry before cooking. This will help them sear evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the skillet. If you add too many scallops to the skillet, they won't sear properly.
• Don't move the scallops around in the skillet while they're cooking. This will prevent them from forming a crispy crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Food Safety

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
• Wash hands after touching raw meat.
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

Connect with Smells Like Delish!

📖 Recipe