Oh, this recipe is just wonderful. It’s so, so good.
This is one of those show-stopper dishes that comes together in about 20 minutes. Just incredible.
How To Make Seared Scallops with Asparagus
This is one of the easiest recipes we have on the blog.
It also comes together in less than 30 minutes.
And folks…the results? Oh, man…just watch:
Of course, it all starts with beautiful scallops. We just love using the large sea scallops. They are absolutely perfect for searing, and are even healthy for you in that they are low in calories and an extremely healthy source of protein.
But beyond that…they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
There are not a lot of ingredients in this incredible dish, but the simplicity is what makes it shine. The asparagus pairs perfectly with the scallops. And the sauce? Oh….the sauce.
Olive oil, white wine, white wine vinegar, and butter. With a dash of salt and pepper.
Simple, but oh so good. By the way, if you think this dish looks great, you should try our Classic Cioppino (Italian Seafood Stew)!
And asparagus is so flavorful and only needs a bit of a sauce to compliment the taste and texture.
The flavor profile and texture of this dish are truly spectacular and make a gorgeous presentation when served.
Simple, yet so wonderful.
SAUTEEING SCALLOPS ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES
Scallops can be prepared in numerous ways. From stir-frying, to deep frying, to baking, or our favorite: Searing. Cook them over medium-high heat just until they start to brown on each side.
And oh yes, the sauce. The sauce.
A thing of beauty without a doubt!
This dish has honestly been a favorite in our house for years, and every time we serve it to guests, they can’t stop raving about it.
The scallops are so buttery melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the asparagus is cooked until just tender and they are both complemented with the amazing pan wine and butter sauce.
Oh my, this dish is so good.
Okay, hopefully this has been enough to convince you to go make this awesome Seared Scallops with Asparagus recipe!
You’re gonna love it!! We promise!
Seared Scallops with Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus ends trimmed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ lb sea scallops
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- ¾ tsp Kosher salt
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Saute the asparagus, stirring every now and then, until tender...about 3 minutes.
- Transfer the asparagus to a plate. Don't clean out the skillet.
- Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle with the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and heat over medium high heat.
- Saute half of the scallops, flipping once, until nicely browned and just cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes total.
- Transfer the scallops to another plate, as they are cooked.
- Wipe out skillet, and add the remaining oil, and repeat with the remaining uncooked scallops. Once cooked, transfer to plate (don't wipe out skillet this time).
- Carefully add the wine and vinegar to the skillet and boil, scraping up browned bits, until the sauce has reduced to about ¼ cup, about 4 minutes.
- Add any scallop juices that have accumulated on the plate and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in the butter until melted and incorporated.
- Add asparagus and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt and cook for about another minute.
- Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Epicurious.
OMG
Woo hoo! Those three letters say it all, right? Thank you so much for your comment and awesome review! Now, we’re hankering to go whip up a batch ourselves! That sauce!!!!!! Have a great night!
What else would you serve with this?
These would be wonderful with our potatoes dauphinoise (French au gratin potatoes!)
I can’t wait to make this. If it’s anything like your other recipes that I’ve made, then I already know it’s going to be delicious!
They are soooo good, Dave! Just let those beautiful scallops shine through! Let us know if you make them and what you think!!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Crazy good, delicious and easy appetizer. Thanks, Kris and Wes!
Woo hoo! We LOVE that you made this dish. It has been a favorite of ours for years! And…and we REALLY love that you loved it! Thanks (as always) for sharing and for the great review! We truly appreciate that!
Salve, non so se vi interessa ma di recente ho assunto uno chef che mi ha mandato foto dei vostri piatti firmate da lui. Si trovava all’estero ed in base a queste foto l’ho assunto per una prova. Se gradite possiamo approfondire il discorso, non so se le immagini sono coperte da copyright o meno ma vengono usate per truffa ci tenevo a farvelo sapere.
Wow. Truly a phenomenal recipe! How can something so simple taste so incredibly complex and delicious?! A new favorite recipe. I can’t wait to make this for friends and family!
Guys, thank you for sharing this! I really thought about licking out the pan, haha, it was that great
Hi Claudia! We are so so happy you made the seared scallops with asparagus. That has been one of our favorites for many years and so happy you had success with it. And yes…That SAUCE!!!!! Thanks for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Just simply the Best Ever..Love yall
Thank you so so much! We are so happy you loved the scallops! Aren’t they the bomb?! Sending lots of love back your way, too! Please stay in touch! And thank you SO MUCH for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Five stars, gentlemen! I made this for my best friends and their kids today and it struck gold. Only recommendation – bread to sop up sauce. We were all drinking it from our plates!
Just found and tried this recipe. It’s a keeper. Followed the recipe exactly and served over brown rice. Soooo good!
Hi Eric!! So sorry for the delayed reply!! Woo hoo!!! We are so so happy that you tried our seared scallops with asparagus recipe and had such great success! That has been one of our all-time favorite recipes for many years!! Thank you so much for letting us know how you liked it and for the great review. That means so much to us! Please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Delicious! I’m a New England native who grew up on scallops, clams, cod and lobster. Love my seafood! This was brilliant! The scallops were so moist and flavorful, and the sauce was outstanding. I usually roast asparagus, but sautéing it and finishing it in the sauce … boom! Served with potatoes au gratin and grilled crusty bread. Yet another keeper! Thanks gentlemen!
Hi Mark! Please forgive the late response here! We are over the moon excited that you has such great success with the scallops and asparagus! And with potatoes au gratin and grilled bread? Wow!! That is an amazing feast!! Thank you SO MUCH (as always) for letting us know and for the GREAT review! That fills our hearts with joy!! Thank you!!!
Great recipe. I added some finely chopped garlic into the oil at the start and substituted balsamic vinegar to get a sweeter sauce and it worked perfectly. I’ve also found that I can bake the asparagus on a flat pan at 400F for 9-10 minutes (thin-med. stalk, lightly brushed with oil, salt & pepper) while cooking the scallops and have both done at the same time, and add the residual from the asparagus pan to the sauce mix.
That sounds fantastic, Joe!! Love the additions!! And thank you so much for letting us know!! We truly appreciate and please stay in touch!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Great recipe. I didn’t have white wine so I substituted white balsamic vinegar and a honey ginger vinegar. Both are sweet and reduced well. Very flavorful. Nice change from savory recipes.
Hi Melanie!! Thank you so much! You modifications sound amazing!! Honey ginger vinegar sounds so good. So glad you liked the recipe and thank you so much for letting us know!! We truly appreciate it! Stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Living in Oklahoma, I can only get wet scallops. I tried searing those once, and they just weeped and cried like crazy. Thought I’d never make them again. After watching you make your scallops, I got on the web and found out how to brine the wet scallops to remove the STP from them which apparently causes the weeping problem.
I’m anxious now to try your recipe. I once had seared scallops in Crystal River, Florida and they were heavenly. Thank you for this recipe. Love ya’ll.
I hear you, Sherry! I grew up in the D/FW area! Can hardly wait to hear how these turn out for you. Let us know and we can share your results with our viewers (and give a shout out to you!). Best, Kris & Wesley
It’s ‘sc ALL ups’ . You don’t say I have ail the marbles’. You say ‘I have ALL the marbles.
Gosh, Jane. What is there to say, other, than ‘THANK YOU’ for taking the time out of your busy day to write this comment and bring this observation to our attention. I guess we should just GALLOP over to our linguistics handbook and learn how to not be so ignorant.
There are many regional variations and there is no one “correct” way to pronounce the name of this delicacy. I work near New Bedford, MA, the major fishing port in the U.S. (based on the dollar value of the catch) and the source of many of the sea scallops eaten throughout the country. Massachusetts residents (and other New Englanders) pronounce the word scAH-lop (to rhyme with “wallop” — the AH sound your doctor asks you to make when she or he thrusts a tongue depressor into your mouth). I grew up pronouncing the A as it is in the word “marry”) but in 16 years of working there, no one has ever corrected my pronuncation.
Absolutely delicious! I could’t have been more pleased. I didn’t have any white wine so I substituted cognac, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. I’ve only made scallops a couple of times and it was so long ago I barely remember. I am definitely a novice with any kind of seafood. I expected to finish and think “Ok, now I know what to do better next time”, but it was fantastic the first time! I’ve saved this recipe and will make it again!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you liked it. Aren’t those scallops melt-in-your mouth delicious?! Congratulations! Sounds like you handled this dish like a pro! And the congnac addition sounds really awesome. Thank you so much for letting us know…please stay in touch! Best, Kris (& Wesley).