In the mood for something fancy? Make these keto lemon butter scallops for your next dinner. Cover in lemon garlic butter for an amazing taste!
What Are Scallops
Scallops are basically a type of mollusk. That means their muscle is surrounded by two shells – a lot like how oysters, mussels, and clams are.
The part we eat is their white adductor muscle. This is the exact muscle that opens and closes the mollusk’s shell. It is white, round, and tender when it is cooked. It tastes slightly salty with a tinge of sweetness to it too.
There are two main types of scallops that we eat in the USA – Bay scallops and sea scallops. Bay scallops are smaller, about the size of a dime. Sea scallops are bigger, they grow to be about 2 inches in diameter.
Are Scallops Keto
Since scallops are just shellfish muscles, they are definitely keto-friendly. How you prepare them will determine how keto-friendly they are. In my recipe, I cooked them in a skillet with olive oil and then topped it with aromatic lemon garlic butter. It’s a very keto-friendly dinner idea.
In fact, this recipe has almost no net carbs!
Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops
This recipe is super fancy – you’ll feel like you are treating yourself! It’s also really easy to make, so you can enjoy the end result without spending tons of time in the kitchen.
To make this a filling dinner, serve it with some low-carb bacon-wrapped shrimp. Then you have a seafood-lover’s favorite meal!
Easy Scallops Recipe
This recipe is really easy to customize. If you like spicy foods, then drizzle some hot sauce on top or sprinkle it with some red pepper flakes. That will really add a nice kick!
Or, wrap the scallops in bacon. Everything tastes better with bacon, even scallops. Then, serve them on top of a simple chopped salad with your favorite vinaigrette dressing.
You can also make them on a sheet pan with your favorite veggies. They taste the best with broccoli and carrots.
How To Make Scallops On The Stove
It only takes 3 minutes per side to fully cook scallops on the stove. Take my advice and just let them set for the entire 3 minutes. Don’t move them or saute them. Turn on your timer and after 3 minutes. flip them over. This will help them have the ideal crispy outside and fully-cooked inside.
You should also make sure the oil and the pan are hot before you add the scallops. When you add the scallops to hot oil, it sears the outside just how you want it.
What To Serve With Scallops
Scallops are very light seafood, so serve something that is equally as light with the same tastes. I think this dish will taste perfect with some low-carb garlic butter cauliflower rice. The garlic butter is the same flavor that on the scallop sauce.
Pasta is another popular choice to eat with seafood. On the low-carb diet, make my keto-friendly garlic bacon pasta. You could even just add the scallops on top!
Of course, my cheesy keto garlic bread is the perfect thing to add to your table when you make this recipe.
How To Store Scallops In The Fridge
It’s best to cook fresh scallops within 2 days of buying them. This is why I always buy frozen scallops. They last so much longer in the freezer.
Store your cooked scallops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Easy Keto Lemon Butter Scallops Recipe
The entire recipe is in the printable recipe card just a little bit further below. First, I have some step-by-step pictures. Don’t forget to pin this post to your seafood recipes board on Pinterest so you can find it later!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Scallops
Butter
Lemon
Garlic
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Instructions:
Once your scallops are fully thawed. Pat them with a paper towel to dry them off.
Top the scallops with a dash of salt and pepper.
In a large skillet, begin to heat olive oil over medium high heat.
Add scallops. Cook for 3 minutes on each side (try not to disturb/move them around while cooking).
Remove the scallops from the pan.
Lower heat, then add butter, minced garlic and the juice of 1 lemon. Continue to simmer until butter is melted, and garlic becomes fragrant.
Return the scallops to the pan, and cook just until heated.
Top with fresh parsley and additional lemon slices, if desired.
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Keto Lemon Butter Scallops
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Scallops fully thawed
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Minced
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Once your scallops are fully thawed. Pat them with a paper towel to dry them off.
- Top the scallops with a dash of salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, begin to heat olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add scallops. Cook for 3 minutes on each side (try not to disturb/move them around while cooking).
- Remove the scallops from the pan.
- Lower heat, then add butter, minced garlic and the juice of 1 lemon. Continue to simmer until butter is melted, and garlic becomes fragrant.
- Return the scallops to the pan, and cook just until heated.
- Top with fresh parsley and additional lemon slices, if desired.
Notes
Net Carbs: 5 Net Carbs Per Serving
The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site.
If you enjoyed this scallop recipe, here are some similar recipes!
Keto Salmon Patties
Easy Keto Lobster Salad