• Home
  • Recipes
    • Search All Recipes
    • Recipe Round-Ups
    • Weekly Meal Plans
  • More
    • About
    • Work With Me!
    • Lifestyle
    • Outside the Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips & Gifts
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Framed Cooks

My life. One recipe at a time.

Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

Sign Me Up!
Recipes » Lime Parmesan Scallops

Lime Parmesan Scallops

By Kate Morgan Jackson

Jump to Recipe

This four ingredient recipe for lime parmesan scallops is so easy and speedy to make, and you won’t believe the dinner party level deliciousness!

lime parmesan scallops

The Southern husband was looking over my shoulder a couple of minutes ago as I was getting this post for lime parmesan scallops ready, and I honestly think he was considering asking me if we could have these for lunch RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

Scallops are his absolute fave, and he adores this recipe for the seared on the outside, tender on the inside sweet scallop flavor, zinged up with lime juice and with some savory parmesan cheese finishing everything off.

I like scallops just fine, but one of the things I also love about this recipe is that it is ready in under 15 minutes.

Yep. 4 ingredients. 15 minutes. Dinner Party Level Dinner. It’s a dream come true for both of us!

And speaking of dreams come true, I wanted to give you guys a peek at one of my very favorite Christmas presents that I have now used approximately 349,231 times already.

Ember mug

It’s called an Ember, and it is basically a mug that is controlled by your phone, and keeps your beverage of choice totally, perfectly hot for an hour on if it is off its cute charging saucer…or indefinitely if you keep it next to you on the charger.

Coffee, tea (raises hand), cocoa…you name it, it keeps it at the perfect temperature while you spend ages curled up in a chair with one of your favorite books.

And if you are making lime parmesan scallops for supper, you have that much extra time to lounge around drinking tea!

Okay, let’s talk scallops. You want the big ones – sea scallops – for this recipe, and if you can get ’em, you want dry scallops.

What’s the difference between wet and dry scallops?

Good question, because they all look kinda wet, right? Wet scallops have been treated with chemicals that keep them fresher longer. They are perfectly ok to eat, but they do have a little of that chemical taste.

Dry scallops are ones that go straight from being harvested to the store, and while they are best used that day, they have only the sweet scallop taste. So ask for the dry ones – most supermarkets carry them now.

How much is a serving of scallops?

Well, if you are the Southern husband, about 533. But most folks will be just fine with anywhere from 3 to 5 scallops. I usually buy them by the amount, not the pound – as in, “may I please have 8 dry sea scallops?”

What to serve with scallops?

If you are making a scallop recipe like this one, the sky is the limit in terms of side dishes! If we want a lighter supper we make roasted green beans or steamed asparagus.

If we are feeling hungrier, I will serve them over rice or polenta. One way or the other, I make sure some of the pan sauce from cooking the scallops gets drizzled over whatever is on the side!

Here’s how you make lime parmesan scallops!

Heat 4 tablespoons of butter over medium high heat in a large skillet (a cast iron skillet works great if you have one!).

When the butter is melted, add 8 sea scallops and sear them without moving them for 3 minutes. The without moving them part is essential to get that nice crusty sear on the outside.

After 3 minutes, turn the scallops over and let them sear for 2 minutes on the other side.  While they are cooking, add the juice from one lime, and spoon the melted butter lime juice over the scallops as they cook.

Remove the scallops and place on warmed dinner plates.  Pour the pan drippings over the top and garnish with lime zest, some parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper.

lime parmesan scallops

Can you hear the Southern husband working up his pitch for scallops? I think I am going to propose a trade – scallops for taking down the Christmas tree. :)

Love, Kate

Want to round out your meal? This recipe pairs well with...

Coconut Rice PilafCoconut Rice Pilaf
roasted string beans with walnutsRoasted String Beans with Walnuts
easy lime coconut cheesecake squaresLime Coconut Cheesecake Squares
Print
lime parmesan scallops

Lime Parmesan Scallops


  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This four ingredient recipe for lime parmesan scallops is so easy and speedy to make, and you won’t believe the dinner party level deliciousness!


Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 8 dry sea scallops (see note)
  • Zest and juice from one lime
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter over medium high heat in a large skillet (cast iron works great if you have one!) When the butter is melted, add the scallops and sear them without moving them for 3 minutes.
  2. After 3 minutes, turn the scallops over and let them sear for 2 minutes on the other side. While they are cooking, add the lime juice, and spoon the melted butter lime juice over the scallops as they cook.
  3. Remove the scallops and place on warmed dinner plates. Pour the pan drippings over the top and garnish with lime zest, parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper.

Notes

Dry sea scallops are the big ones that have not been treated with chemicals, and this gives them a fresher flavor.  You can read about the difference between dry and “wet” scallops here!

Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying!

Equipment We Used For This Recipe

Image of Microplane Zester

Microplane Zester

Buy Now →
Image of Measuring Cup

Measuring Cup

Buy Now →
Image of Cast Iron Skillet

Cast Iron Skillet

Buy Now →
Image of Tongs

Tongs

Buy Now →
3542.2 g619.4 mg26.4 g16.2 g0 g14.2 g0.5 g18.2 g95.5 mg

We love seeing what you do
with our Framed Cooks recipes.

Just tag @FramedCooks on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook
so we can admire the deliciousness!

185 shares
  • Facebook138
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!

Know someone who would love this recipe?
Click here to email them the link!

Published on January 17, 2021

Good for: Christmas/Holidays, Dinner In A Hurry, Dinner Party, Lent, Southern Husband's Favorites

Last Post:
Classic Bistro Salad
Next Post:
Lemon Shrimp with Zoodles

I'D LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD RATE THIS RECIPE
(AND COMMENTS ARE WONDERFUL TOO!) Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

If you want to know more….

These recipes are trending up! Come see what the excitement is about!

  • Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food
  • Julia Child's Filet Of Sole
  • Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce
  • Ricotta Scrambled Eggs
  • Grandpa's Coca-Cola Ribs

Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

  • Home
  • Starters
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Contact
Terms of Use • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Framed Cooks
All photographs © FramedCooks and may not be used for any purpose without written permission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

185 shares
185 shares
  • 138