Description
Seared Scallops with Yuzu Garlic Butter is a quick and elegant dish featuring tender scallops with a golden sear, finished in a luscious yuzu juice and aromatic garlic plant-based butter sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of citrus brightness and rich savoriness, ideal for impressing guests or a special treat any time.
Ingredients
Scallops
- Fresh dry-packed scallops (8-12 pieces)
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Yuzu Garlic Butter Sauce
- Plant-based butter (3 tablespoons)
- Fresh garlic, minced (2 cloves)
- Yuzu juice (2 tablespoons)
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) (1 tablespoon)
Garnishes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (1 tablespoon)
- Toasted sesame seeds (1 teaspoon)
- Black pepper, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the scallops: Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a perfect sear. Season lightly with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Heat the pan and sear: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the scallops carefully, spacing them out. Sear without moving for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until a golden crust forms. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Yuzu Garlic Butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add plant-based butter along with minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté gently until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in yuzu juice and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) and let it simmer to meld flavors.
- Combine and finish: Return the scallops to the pan and spoon the yuzu garlic butter sauce over them. Let everything warm together for a final minute before removing from heat.
Notes
- Ensure scallops are completely dry before searing for the best crust.
- Use a hot pan to prevent sticking and create a golden exterior quickly.
- Cook scallops in batches if needed to avoid steaming them.
- Use fresh yuzu juice instead of bottled versions for the brightest flavor.
- Melt butter slowly to avoid burning the garlic which can turn bitter.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: seared scallops, yuzu, garlic butter (plant-based), quick seafood recipe, elegant appetizer, citrus seafood dish