Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

⭐ Introduction

Garlic butter shrimp is a simple yet luxurious dish made in under 20 minutes. The shrimp is pan-seared until golden, then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon for brightness. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

⏱ Timing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs (700g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on optional)

4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)

1 tbsp olive oil

5 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Lemon wedges (for serving)

‍ Instructions

Prep the shrimp:

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Sear shrimp:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp butter + olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Make garlic butter sauce:

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant (don’t let garlic burn).

Add flavor:

Stir in lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Mix well.

Finish:

Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Cook 1 minute more to heat through.

Serve:

Plate immediately with extra parsley and lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

Over pasta (like linguine or angel hair) for a shrimp scampi vibe

With steamed rice or quinoa

Alongside crusty bread to soak up the sauce

With a side of grilled or roasted vegetables

Tips & Variations

For creaminess: Add ¼ cup heavy cream to the garlic butter sauce.

For extra flavor: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

For spice lovers: Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.

Perfect Let’s break down the Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe into Q/A, Tips, and Nutrition facts for you.

Garlic Butter Shrimp – Q/A,

❓ Q/A

Q1: Can I use frozen shrimp?
✅ Yes! Just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear nicely instead of steaming.

Q2: How do I keep shrimp from turning rubbery?
✅ Don’t overcook! Shrimp cook very fast (about 2 minutes per side). Remove from the pan as soon as they turn pink and opaque.

Q3: Can I make this dairy-free?
✅ Yes. Use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute. Coconut oil also works but changes the flavor.

Q4: Can I add vegetables to this dish?
✅ Absolutely. Asparagus, zucchini, spinach, or cherry tomatoes sauté beautifully with the garlic butter sauce.

Q5: Can I meal prep garlic butter shrimp?
✅ Best enjoyed fresh. If prepping ahead, store in the fridge for up to 2 days and gently reheat (avoid high heat to prevent tough shrimp).

Tips

• Use fresh garlic: It makes the flavor pop compared to garlic powder.
• Dry shrimp well: Excess moisture prevents browning.
• Cook in batches: If your pan is small, sear shrimp in two batches for even cooking.
• Don’t burn garlic: Keep heat medium when sautéing garlic to avoid bitterness.
• Enhance flavor: Add a splash of white wine before the lemon juice for depth.
• For a full meal: Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Nutrition (per serving, 4 servings)

(Approximate values, may vary by ingredients used)

Calories: 265

Protein: 24g

Carbohydrates: 2g

Fat: 18g

Saturated Fat: 9g

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Cholesterol: 245mg

Sodium: 680mg