This easy pan-seared weathervane scallops recipe is quick enough to make for a casual weeknight dinner, yet festive enough as an appetizer to serve at a gathering of friends. Sweet weathervane scallops cook in a hot pan in well under 10 minutes, needing little more than a simple sauce to finish them.
The key component of this dish is one of our favorite compound butter recipes, a Lemon-Herb Compound Butter created by WAC team member and chef Andrea Trent. Added at the end just as you’ve finished searing the scallops, this compound butter gives a dish rich, citrusy, herby flavor profile that complements the natural sweetness of the scallops. Since you’ll need to make the compound butter ahead of time, this seared scallops recipe should only take you about 15 minutes to make from start to finish.
To make this a complete meal, simply saute a vegetable in a separate skillet over medium heat with a pad of compound butter. Try spinach, green beans, broccoli, or carrots.