This Garlic Butter Shrimp is juicy, buttery, garlicky, and brightened with a fresh squeeze of lemon. With just a handful of simple ingredients and one skillet, you can have a flavorful seafood dinner on the table in about 15 minutes.
Tender shrimp cook quickly in a rich garlic butter sauce before being finished with lemon juice and fresh parsley. Serve this easy shrimp recipe with rice, pasta, vegetables, or crusty bread for a simple family-friendly meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The flavor-to-effort ratio makes this recipe particularly useful for busy days. Butter and fresh garlic create a rich savory base, while lemon adds enough acidity to keep the sauce fresh and balanced.
Shrimp also cook in only a few minutes, making this a great option when you need dinner quickly. Everything comes together in one skillet, which means minimal preparation and cleanup.
The recipe is naturally versatile, too. Serve the buttery garlic shrimp as a main course, spoon them over pasta or rice, or add them to salads and grain bowls.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced, about 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp cook rather than steam.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Cook just until fragrant without allowing the garlic to brown or burn.
- Arrange the shrimp in the skillet and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes on the first side. Flip and continue cooking for another 1–3 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp.
- Once the shrimp are opaque and cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Avoid cooking them longer than necessary, as shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
- Pour the fresh lemon juice over the Garlic Butter Shrimp and add the chopped parsley.
- Gently toss everything together until the shrimp are coated in the warm lemon garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and juicy, spooning the garlic butter from the skillet over each portion.
Tips & Tricks
Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry before cooking. Excess moisture prevents good sautéing and can water down the garlic butter sauce.
Use shrimp that are relatively similar in size so they finish cooking at approximately the same time.
Garlic burns quickly, so keep the heat moderate and stir continuously during the initial 30-second sauté.
Avoid overcrowding a small skillet. If necessary, use a larger pan so the shrimp have enough room to cook evenly.
Fresh lemon juice gives lemon garlic shrimp the brightest flavor. Add it after removing the skillet from the heat to preserve its fresh citrus character.
For a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
If using salted butter, season cautiously at first. You can always add more salt after tasting the finished sauce.
Details
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing, Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, gluten-free, low-carb, pescatarian
Notes
Fresh or frozen shrimp work well. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before cooking and remove as much surface moisture as possible.
Peeled and deveined shrimp are the most convenient choice for a quick shrimp dinner. You can leave the tails attached for presentation or remove them for easier eating.
Fresh cilantro can replace parsley if you prefer its flavor.
For an even brighter sauce, add a little finely grated lemon zest along with the lemon juice.
Serve this skillet shrimp with steamed rice, pasta, couscous, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad, or warm crusty bread for soaking up the garlic butter.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
Calories: Approximately 320–360 kcal
Protein: Approximately 35–40 g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 3–5 g
Fat: Approximately 18–22 g
Actual nutrition will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and specific ingredients used.
FAQ
What is Garlic Butter Shrimp made of?
Garlic Butter Shrimp is made by quickly sautéing shrimp in butter with fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper. Lemon juice and fresh parsley are added at the end for brightness and freshness.
How long does shrimp take to cook in a skillet?
Large shrimp generally need only a few minutes per side. Exact timing depends on their size and the temperature of the skillet, so watch their appearance rather than relying exclusively on the clock.
How do you know when shrimp are cooked?
Cooked shrimp become opaque and develop a pink exterior. They should curl into a loose C shape and remain tender rather than becoming tightly curled and rubbery.
Can I use frozen shrimp for garlic butter shrimp?
Yes. Frozen shrimp work very well for this recipe. Thaw them completely, drain away excess liquid, and pat them dry before adding them to the skillet.
What goes well with garlic butter shrimp?
Rice, pasta, roasted potatoes, couscous, steamed vegetables, salads, and crusty bread are all excellent choices. The garlic butter sauce is particularly good spooned over rice or pasta.
Can I make Garlic Butter Shrimp spicy?
Yes. Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or finely chopped fresh chili. Start with a small amount and increase it according to your preferred level of heat.
Storage
Transfer leftover shrimp to an airtight container once cooled and refrigerate promptly. For best quality, enjoy them within 2–3 days.
Shrimp can become tough when repeatedly heated, so reheat leftovers gently. Place them in a skillet over low to medium-low heat with a small amount of butter and warm just until heated through.
A microwave also works, but use short intervals to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Freezing cooked shrimp is possible, although the texture may be slightly softer after thawing. Store them securely in a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
Similar Recipes
Garlic Butter Shrimp – Easy 15 Minute Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon juiced, about 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley roughly chopped
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp cook rather than steam.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Cook just until fragrant without allowing the garlic to brown or burn.
- Arrange the shrimp in the skillet and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes on the first side. Flip and continue cooking for another 1–3 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp.
- Once the shrimp are opaque and cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Avoid cooking them longer than necessary, as shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
- Pour the fresh lemon juice over the Garlic Butter Shrimp and add the chopped parsley.
- Gently toss everything together until the shrimp are coated in the warm lemon garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and juicy, spooning the garlic butter from the skillet over each portion.
Notes
Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Shrimp delivers plenty of flavor without requiring a long ingredient list or complicated preparation. Juicy shrimp, fragrant garlic, melted butter, fresh lemon, and parsley come together in one skillet for a quick and satisfying meal.
Whether you spoon the lemon garlic shrimp over rice, toss them with pasta, or serve them with vegetables and bread, this simple recipe makes an easy addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.