Garlic Butter Lobster and Scallops is an elegant and decadent dish that’s perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to indulge in a delicious seafood meal. Tender lobster tails and perfectly seared scallops are bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce that brings out the natural flavors of the seafood. This quick and easy recipe is sure to impress your family or guests.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails
- 8 sea scallops
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Seafood
- Using kitchen shears, cut through the top shell of each lobster tail and carefully pull the meat up, laying it over the shell. Set aside.
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Cook the Lobster Tails
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the lobster tails, meat side down, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the shells turn bright red.
- Flip the lobster tails, add half of the minced garlic, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Squeeze half of the lemon juice over the lobster tails and transfer them to a plate. Keep warm.
Step 3: Sear the Scallops
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
- Once the butter has melted, add the rest of the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the remaining lemon juice and smoked paprika, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
- Return the lobster tails and scallops to the skillet, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the top.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Cooking Tips & Notes
- Scallop Searing: Make sure the scallops are patted dry before searing to get a beautiful golden crust.
- Butter Splitting: Dividing the butter helps ensure that it doesn’t burn during cooking and gives a richer flavor to the sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness to the dish, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
Variations
- Spicy Garlic Butter: Add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for a spicy kick.
- White Wine Sauce: Add 1/4 cup of dry white wine to the skillet when making the garlic butter sauce for an added layer of flavor.
- Herb Butter: Stir in fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the garlic butter for extra fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Frozen Lobster Tails and Scallops?
Yes, you can use frozen lobster tails and scallops, but make sure to fully thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking.
2. How Do I Know When the Lobster and Scallops Are Done?
The lobster meat should be opaque and white, while the scallops should have a golden crust and be slightly firm to the touch.
3. Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the garlic butter sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. What Can I Substitute for Lobster Tails?
If you don’t have lobster tails, you can use shrimp or even crab legs as a substitute.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice or Risotto: Serve the lobster and scallops over a bed of rice or creamy risotto to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
- Pasta: Toss with linguine or fettuccine for a seafood pasta dish.
- Crusty Bread: Pair with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce.
- Grilled Vegetables: Serve alongside grilled asparagus or a green salad for a complete meal.
Garlic Butter Lobster and Scallops is a decadent and elegant seafood dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. With tender lobster, perfectly seared scallops, and a rich garlic butter sauce, this recipe is perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to treat yourself to a luxurious meal. Give it a try, and enjoy the flavors of the sea with this delicious and impressive dish!
