If you ever crave a fast, crowd-pleasing meal packed with restaurant-level flavor, you’ll fall head over heels for Garlic Butter Shrimp. Plump, juicy shrimp are sautéed in rich butter, zippy lemon, and a whole lot of garlicky goodness—ready in under 20 minutes and so good you’ll want to swipe up every last drop with crusty bread!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightning Fast: From fridge to table in under 20 minutes—perfect when you want something fabulous, fast.
- Bold, Buttery Flavor: Every bite is bursting with zesty, garlicky butter that soaks into every shrimp.
- Few Ingredients, Big Payoff: You only need pantry basics and one fresh lemon to create a dish that tastes like a high-end treat.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether served over pasta, rice, or with bread, Garlic Butter Shrimp is a surefire hit at any meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s keep things easy: Garlic Butter Shrimp calls for a handful of humble ingredients, each one earning its place. These staples combine for maximum flavor—no fancy tools or shopping trips required!
- Shrimp (½ lb., peeled and deveined): Frozen or fresh both work—just thaw if frozen and pat dry for that perfect sear.
- Garlic (2 cloves): Freshly minced garlic infuses the butter with irresistible aroma and zest.
- Lemon (1): A squeeze of bright, fresh juice balances all that rich, golden butter.
- Butter (2 Tbsp): The heart of the sauce! Irish or European-style butter gives extra richness, but any real butter works wonders.
- Olive Oil (1 Tbsp): Blends with the butter to prevent burning and adds its own savory note.
- Salt & Black Pepper (⅛ tsp each): Simple seasonings that let the garlic and shrimp shine—use freshly cracked pepper for best results.
- Fresh Parsley (1 tsp, optional): For a final sprinkle of color and herby freshness—highly recommended if you have some on hand!
Variations
One of the best things about Garlic Butter Shrimp is how endlessly customizable it is—tweak it for what you have, your mood, or even dietary needs without losing that signature golden sauce.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne with the garlic for a lively pop of heat.
- Herb Swap: Try fresh basil or chives instead of parsley for a fun twist on the flavor.
- Low-Carb Swap: Serve your shrimp over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, veggie-forward meal.
- Citrus Twist: Swap the lemon for lime or even orange zest for a unique, unexpected brightness.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp and Aromatics
If starting with frozen shrimp, simply run them under cool water in a colander for a couple of minutes. Peel and devein if needed, and pat them dry with paper towels to guarantee a spectacular sear. Mince your garlic and squeeze about two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice so everything’s ready to go when the pan gets hot!
Step 2: Melt Butter and Cook Shrimp
Add the butter and olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium until the butter melts and gently foams—watch the scent fill your kitchen! Lay the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–3 minutes per side, flipping when they’re pink and just opaque. Don’t linger—they cook in a flash!
Step 3: Infuse With Garlic and Lemon
Scatter in the minced garlic and pour in about a tablespoon of that tangy lemon juice. Sauté for one minute more, just until fragrant—this brings out the magic in the sauce without browning the garlic. Give the shrimp a quick toss so every piece glistens in buttery, garlicky goodness.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Sprinkle in the salt and plenty of freshly cracked pepper. Finish with a flurry of chopped parsley if you have it, then toss one final time. Your Garlic Butter Shrimp is ready to steal the spotlight—serve immediately and soak up compliments!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Sear, Don’t Steam: Dry those shrimp well before cooking—a dry surface means you’ll get that crave-worthy golden edge instead of a soggy bite.
- Monitor the Heat: Keep the skillet at medium; too hot, and garlic burns, too low, and shrimp turn rubbery. Aim for that sweet spot for buttery, flavorful shrimp every time.
- Don’t Overcrowd: If doubling the recipe, cook shrimp in batches so each one gets ample pan space to caramelize, not steam.
- Go Bold With Lemon: Hold back a little extra lemon juice to drizzle just before serving for a burst of brightness that wakes up the whole dish.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley is classic, adding a pop of color and freshness. For extra zing, add thin lemon slices or a spritz of lemon zest. If you’re feeling fancy, a dash of smoked paprika or a few microgreens makes this Garlic Butter Shrimp truly restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
This dish loves company! Pile your Garlic Butter Shrimp atop al dente spaghetti, steamed white rice, or creamy polenta. Crusty bread is a must-have for mopping up that luscious sauce, and a crisp salad or roasted asparagus makes an elegant, well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try threading the cooked garlic butter shrimp onto skewers for an appetizer platter, or serve them bites-style over toasted baguette rounds. For a fun family-style option, toss with cooked pasta in a big bowl and let guests help themselves—don’t forget the lemon wedges!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Garlic Butter Shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the shrimp and sauce together so everything stays moist and flavorful, and avoid leaving leftovers out for too long (shrimp like to stay cold when not being devoured)!
Freezing
While technically possible to freeze, shrimp can become a bit rubbery after thawing, so I recommend enjoying this dish fresh. If you must freeze, let the shrimp and sauce cool, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat gently for best results.
Reheating
Reheat Garlic Butter Shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat just until warmed through—high heat can make shrimp tough. Add a splash of water or an extra pat of butter if the sauce has thickened in the fridge to refresh everything beautifully.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-cooked shrimp for Garlic Butter Shrimp?
You can, but I don’t recommend it—pre-cooked shrimp can turn rubbery if reheated for too long. If using, just toss them in the hot garlic butter sauce briefly to warm through and coat well, but skip the initial sautéing step.
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How do I avoid overcooking the shrimp?
Shrimp cook fast! As soon as they turn pink and opaque, remove from heat immediately. Cooking one minute longer than necessary can turn them tough—set a timer and stay close by the stove for perfect results.
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Is this Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the shrimp and sauce are completely gluten-free. Just pair with gluten-free sides like rice, polenta, or gluten-free bread if you’re serving anyone avoiding gluten.
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What size shrimp should I buy for this dish?
Medium to large shrimp work best, as they stay juicy and plump when sautéed. If using smaller shrimp, cut the cooking time to avoid overcooking. Both tail-on and tail-off shrimp are delicious—choose based on how you’d like to serve them!
Final Thoughts
If a quick, show-stopping meal sounds good tonight, Garlic Butter Shrimp is begging to be on your table. It’s easy, incredibly flavorful, and sure to become a weeknight staple—or even your next dinner party star. Dive in with good bread and your favorite people, and savor every buttery, garlicky bite!
Print
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
Delicious and easy garlic butter shrimp recipe that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Juicy shrimp cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, finished with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 1/2 lb. frozen shrimp, thawed and peeled
For the garlic butter sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw by running cool water over them. Peel the shrimp if necessary and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare the sauce: Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque on both sides.
- Add flavor: Stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley. Cook for an additional minute.
- Season and serve: Season with salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to combine and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 235mg
