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Served with a light cream sauce flavored with garlic, ginger and lime, these pan-seared sea scallops make an easy yet sophisticated entrée that works equally well for a quick weeknight meal or special occasion. Try serving with white or brown rice and a quick stir-fry of sugar snap or snow peas.

Seared Scallops With Garlic-Ginger Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 lbs dry sea scallops, see notes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, very finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup light cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 scallions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Pat the scallops dry and set aside.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat in a large skillet and add the garlic and ginger. Sauté until fragrant, 1 minute, then sprinkle with the flour. Combine well and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and light gold in color, about 2 minutes longer.
- Add the cream and sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Slowly stir in the lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Continue cooking until the sauce thickens to a rich, creamy consistency, 3 to 4 minutes more, then stir in the scallions and half of the chopped cilantro. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
- Wipe out the pan, return it to the stove and add the remaining tablespoon of butter along with the vegetable oil.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and once hot, add the scallops in a single layer.
- Note: The scallops need about 3/4-inch of space between them in order to sear properly. If the pan seems overcrowded, cook them in 2 batches.
- Sear the scallops until they develop a golden crust on the outside, 1-1/2 minutes per side (see notes).
- To serve, spoon a portion of sauce onto individual serving plates, top with scallops and garnish with the remaining chopped cilantro.
Delicious – I followed the recipe steps, but used parsley and lemon.
Hi John,
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the scallops. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I’ve made several times. I implore you to splurge on Hokkaido scallops (from the island in Japan). It’s a go too for seared scallops with spicy green beans and jasmine rice!
Hi Carl,
I haven’t ever used Hokkaido scallops, but since you posted your comment I’ve done a little reading and found a couple of mail order sources that carry them. I plan to give them a try – thank you.
Great recipe! I skip the flour, use quadruple the garlic, twice the ginger, 1.5-2 times more lime juice, and a bit more heavy cream and it’s wonderful.
Friday and it’s Lent,, I wanted something different on my seafood plate tonight!. WOW! this recipe was superb! Loaded with an explosion of flavor it’s amazing! Accompanied with steamed asparagus, rice pilaf and a lovely glass of wine you couldn’t ask for better! I’ll be making a lot more recipes from this web site!
Thanks to the author!
Who can say no to scallops? They’re so buttery and tasty. This is a nice sauce with a little bite.