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Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce

Lightly browned sea scallops are paired with a smooth brown butter sauce enriched with dry white wine, lemon zest, and fresh tarragon. The sauce is buttery and aromatic, with bright citrus and herbal notes that complement the tender scallops. Serve this elegant dish for a special dinner or a refined seafood meal.

  • Prep10 mins
  • Cook15 mins
  • Serves4
  • DifficultyMedium
Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce

easyChef Pro health score

Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.

50 Health Score
Glycemic ImpactFair
55 / 100
Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
Nutritional DensityPoor
9 / 100
Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
Energy DensityGood
89 / 100
Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
2 / 4
Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.

How it scores for each health goal

The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.

28
Heart Health
65
Metabolic
17
Digestive
20
Inflammatory
54
Performance
44
General Wellness
  1. 1

    Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Place half of the scallops in the skillet without crowding them, and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the scallops to a plate. Heat olive oil and butter in the skillet, then cook the remaining scallops. Transfer them to the plate.

  2. 2

    Wipe out the skillet and return it to medium heat. Pour in the wine and boil for 1 or 2 minutes, until reduced. Reduce the heat to low, and whisk in the remaining butter until it softens and forms a smooth sauce. Stir in salt, lemon zest, and tarragon. Pour the sauce over the scallops.

  3. 3

    Place half of the scallops in the skillet without crowding and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

  4. 4

    Transfer the scallops to a plate.

  5. 5

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon butter in the skillet, then cook the remaining scallops.

  6. 6

    Remove the remaining scallops to the plate.

  7. 7

    Wipe out the skillet and return it to medium heat.

  8. 8

    Pour in the wine and boil for 1 to 2 minutes, until reduced to about 2 tablespoons.

  9. 9

    Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, just softening it to make a smooth sauce.

  10. 10

    Stir in the salt, lemon zest, and tarragon.

  11. 11

    Pour the sauce over the scallops.

About This Recipe

Scallops with Lemon Tarragon Pan Sauce is made with 8 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 25 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Butter, Dried Tarragon, and Lemon. Each serving provides about 379.11 kcal, and is a good source of protein.

Recipe Questions

What is Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce made of?
The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Butter, Dried Tarragon, Lemon, Olive Oil. The full list of 8 is above.
How long does it take to make Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce?
About 25 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 379.11 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 8 ingredients and 11 steps.
Is Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce healthy?
Scallops with Lemon-Tarragon Pan Sauce has an easyChef Pro health score of 50/100. Per serving, it provides 379.11 calories and 31.01 g of protein, or 62% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 262.95 mg (11% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 11.21 g (56% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Shellfish, Milk, Sulfites and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.

How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products

easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.

The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.

Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.

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