Garlic Butter Lobster and Scallops (Restaurant-Style Luxury Seafood Dish)
A rich, elegant seafood dinner that tastes like it came straight from a 5-star restaurant. This dish brings together tender lobster tails, perfectly seared scallops, and a silky garlic-lemon butter sauce that you’ll want to spoon over everything. It’s impressive enough for special occasions yet simple enough to make at home in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 2 lobster tails, halved lengthwise
- 1 lb sea scallops, patted very dry
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: splash of white wine for deeper flavor
Instructions (Step-by-Step, Long & Detailed)
1. Heat the pan
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter.
Let the butter melt completely until the mixture is hot and lightly bubbling — this creates the perfect base for searing.
2. Cook the lobster tails
Place the halved lobster tails flesh side down in the hot pan.
Cook 3–4 minutes until the flesh gets lightly golden.
Flip the tails and cook another 2–3 minutes until the meat turns completely opaque and the shells become bright red.
Remove from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
3. Sear the scallops
Before searing, make sure your scallops are very dry — moisture prevents browning.
Add the scallops to the same skillet.
Do not move them for the first 2 minutes — this gives them that perfect golden crust.
Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes.
Remove and set aside with the lobster.
4. Make the garlic butter sauce
Add the remaining 4 tbsp butter to the skillet.
Once melted:
- Add the minced garlic
- Cook for 1 minute until fragrant
- Add lemon juice and chopped parsley
- Optional: splash of white wine to deglaze the pan
Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom — this is pure flavor.
5. Combine everything
Return the lobster tails and scallops back into the skillet.
Spoon the garlic butter over the seafood, coating every piece.
Let them warm for 1–2 minutes so all the flavors blend beautifully.
6. Serve
Serve immediately with extra parsley, fresh lemon wedges, and crusty bread to soak up the sauce.