A luxurious yet approachable seafood dinner that brings together tender lobster tails and perfectly seared scallops, all coated in rich garlic butter. This dish feels elegant and indulgent while remaining simple enough to prepare at home, making it ideal for special occasions or a refined dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe highlights the natural sweetness of lobster and scallops with a flavorful garlic butter sauce that enhances without overpowering. It comes together quickly, uses straightforward ingredients, and delivers a restaurant-quality result that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Lobster tails, 4 medium (about 170 g each)
Sea scallops, 450 g, patted dry
Unsalted butter, 85 g
Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
Garlic cloves, 5, finely minced
Fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons
Lemon zest, 1 teaspoon
Salt, 1 teaspoon
Black pepper, ½ teaspoon
Paprika, ½ teaspoon
Red chili flakes, ¼ teaspoon (optional)
Fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
Directions
Using kitchen scissors, cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise. Gently pull the meat upward so it rests on top of the shell. Season with half of the salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and half of the butter and allow it to melt.
Place the lobster tails meat-side down in the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, basting with butter, until the meat turns opaque. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Once melted, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Increase heat to medium-high and add the scallops in a single layer. Sear for about 2 minutes per side without moving them, until golden.
Season the scallops with the remaining salt, pepper, paprika, and optional chili flakes.
Return the lobster tails to the skillet. Add lemon juice and lemon zest, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the seafood.
Cook together for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Servings and timing
Serves 4 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
You can replace scallops with shrimp or large prawns, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. For a richer sauce, add 2 tablespoons of cooking cream to the garlic butter. Fresh herbs such as thyme or chives can be added for extra aroma.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small amount of butter to prevent drying out. Avoid reheating in the microwave for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?
Yes, frozen lobster tails and scallops work well if fully thawed and dried before cooking.
How do I prevent overcooking the lobster?
Cook just until the meat turns opaque and firm, then remove promptly from heat.
Why should scallops be dried before cooking?
Removing moisture helps achieve a proper golden sear.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
It is best cooked fresh, but ingredients can be prepped a few hours in advance.
What side dishes pair well with this meal?
Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables are excellent options.
Is lemon necessary in this recipe?
Lemon balances the richness of the butter, but it can be reduced if preferred.
Can I cook everything in one pan?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be made in a single skillet.
What type of scallops should I use?
Large sea scallops are ideal for even cooking and better texture.
Can I omit the chili flakes?
Yes, they are optional and only add mild heat.
How do I know when scallops are done?
They should be golden on the outside and just opaque in the center.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Lobster Tail & Scallops Feast is an elegant yet simple seafood dish that delivers rich flavor and beautiful presentation. With minimal effort and maximum impact, it’s a perfect choice for celebrating special moments or enjoying a refined home-cooked meal.
An elegant seafood dish featuring garlic butter-seared lobster tails and scallops, enhanced with lemon and herbs for a luxurious, restaurant-style meal at home.
Ingredients
4 medium lobster tails (about 170 g each)
450 g sea scallops, patted dry
85 g unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
Using kitchen scissors, cut the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise. Gently pull the meat over the shell and season with half the salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and half the butter. Let it melt.
Place lobster tails meat-side down. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, basting with butter, until opaque. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Increase heat to medium-high. Add scallops in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes per side without moving. Season with remaining salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
Return lobster tails to the skillet. Add lemon juice and zest, spooning garlic butter over seafood.
Cook together for 1–2 minutes more. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Serve immediately with your choice of side dish.
Notes
Use sea scallops for best texture and searing results.
Dry scallops well before cooking for golden crust.
Add cream to garlic butter for a richer finish if desired.
Chili flakes are optional for a mild kick.
Serve with rice, pasta, or vegetables to complete the meal.
