Welcome to a recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen: easy garlic butter shrimp! This dish proves that incredible flavor doesn’t require hours of effort. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a super-fast cooking time, you can have a truly satisfying meal ready in minutes. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer, this garlic shrimp recipe is your go-to.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll adore this recipe for so many reasons, making it perfect for busy home cooks:
- Lightning Fast: This dish cooks in under 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll only need basic pantry staples you likely already have.
- Irresistible Flavor: Enjoy the rich, savory taste of succulent shrimp bathed in garlic butter.
- Incredibly Versatile: Serve your delicious garlic shrimp over pasta, with rice, or as a stand-alone protein.
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves the comforting and vibrant flavors of this easy meal.
Ingredients
To make this delightful garlic shrimp, you’ll need just a few key components. Fresh, quality ingredients truly shine here!
- Shrimp: 1 pound large shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined, tails on or off.
- Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted or salted butter.
- Garlic: 2-3 teaspoons freshly minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves).
- Lemon: The juice of one fresh lemon.
- Parsley: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon for added aromatic depth.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
Notes & Substitutions
- Shrimp Size: Using larger shrimp (like 16-20 count) helps prevent overcooking and provides a meatier bite.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the best flavor; avoid pre-minced jarred garlic if possible.
- Butter Alternatives: For a lighter option, you can use olive oil instead of butter, or a 50/50 blend.
- Herbs: Fresh chives or dill make wonderful substitutes for parsley, offering slightly different flavor notes.
- Seasoning: A pinch of smoked paprika can add a beautiful color and smoky undertone. Red pepper flakes will provide a subtle kick.
Equipment
You won’t need much specialized gear to create this fantastic meal. Simple kitchen tools are all it takes!
- Large Skillet: A 10-12 inch cast iron or non-stick skillet works perfectly.
- Tongs or Spatula: Essential for turning the shrimp evenly.
- Small Bowl: Useful for whisking lemon juice and parsley together.
How To Make Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create perfectly cooked, flavorful garlic butter shrimp every time. This straightforward process makes achieving delicious results a breeze, even for beginners.
- Melt Butter: Place the butter in your large skillet and melt it over medium-high heat. Ensure the butter is fully melted and slightly shimmering before adding the shrimp.
- Add Shrimp & Season: Add the raw shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir gently to coat all the shrimp evenly with the seasonings.
- Sauté Shrimp: Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally with tongs or a spatula. Watch closely as the shrimp begin to curl and turn pink and opaque. This indicates they are cooking through. Do not overcook.
- Stir in Garlic: Once the shrimp are mostly pink, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Continue to cook for just one more minute, stirring constantly. This allows the garlic to become fragrant without burning, infusing the garlic shrimp with incredible aroma.
- Remove from Heat: Immediately remove the skillet from the heat to prevent any further cooking of the shrimp.
- Add Lemon & Parsley: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. The lemon juice brightens the rich butter and garlic flavors, while the parsley adds a touch of freshness.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer your delectable garlic shrimp to serving plates and enjoy right away. They are best enjoyed hot and fresh from the pan.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect garlic shrimp is simple with these helpful pointers.
- Shrimp Doneness: The most crucial tip is to avoid overcooking the shrimp. They cook very quickly, turning pink and opaque in just a few minutes. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
For optimal food safety and to prevent overcooking, adhering to recommended guidelines for seafood is crucial.
- Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh garlic and lemon for the best, most vibrant flavor. The difference is truly noticeable in a simple dish like this garlic shrimp.
- Pan Temperature: Maintain a medium-high heat throughout the cooking process. This ensures the shrimp sear quickly without stewing.
- Avoid Overcrowding: If you’re cooking a larger batch, cook the shrimp in two separate batches. Crowding the pan lowers the temperature and steams the shrimp instead of searing them.
- Flavor Boost: For an even richer sauce, deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth after cooking the shrimp.
- Rubbery Shrimp: If your shrimp turned out rubbery, reduce your cooking time next time. Start checking for doneness at the 2-minute mark.
- Bland Flavor: If the dish tastes bland, adjust the seasoning. A little extra salt, a pinch more Italian seasoning, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can make a huge difference.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This shrimp with garlic sauce dish is fantastic on its own or as part of a larger meal.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your tender garlic shrimp over a bed of al dente pasta, fluffy white rice, or creamy polenta. Crusty bread is also perfect for soaking up every last drop of that amazing garlic butter sauce.
- Perfect Sides: Complement this dish with simple steamed asparagus, a fresh green salad, or roasted broccoli for a complete and balanced meal.
- Storage: Store any leftover garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: Gently warm leftovers on the stovetop over low heat until just heated through, or briefly in the microwave. Be careful not to overcook them during reheating.
- Freezing: Cooked shrimp can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating.
- Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning for a pleasant kick.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with different fresh herbs like fresh dill, thyme, or oregano to change the flavor profile slightly.
- Sauce Variations: For a slightly different sauce, deglaze the pan with a bit of chicken broth for a lighter, savory finish.
Nutrition
Beyond its delicious taste, shrimp offers a variety of essential nutrients in shrimp that contribute to a balanced diet.
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving of this delicious garlic shrimp. Please remember these are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 215 kcal |
| Protein | 23 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 315 mg |
| Sodium | 481 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
FAQ
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Here are some common inquiries about preparing perfect garlic shrimp.
How do you thaw frozen shrimp quickly?
For quick thawing, place frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for 5-10 minutes until defrosted.
Do I need to peel and devein shrimp?
Most shrimp come pre-peeled and deveined, but if yours don’t, it’s best to do so before cooking for optimal texture and cleanliness.
Should I leave tails on or off?
Leaving tails on can make for a prettier presentation, but removing them makes the shrimp easier to eat. It’s totally up to your preference!
How do I prevent rubbery shrimp?
The key is not to overcook them; shrimp cook very quickly, so watch for them to turn pink and opaque, then remove from heat immediately.
Conclusion
This easy garlic butter shrimp recipe is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create spectacular results. It’s quick, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for building confidence in the kitchen. Whether you’re a beginner cook or just seeking a fast, delicious meal, this recipe delivers every time. Go ahead, give this amazing garlic shrimp a try and bring joy to your dinner table tonight!
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Equipment
- Large Pan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 lb large shrimp
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic
- lemon juice the juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium-high heat, then add shrimp and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque.
- Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook for one minute.
- Finally, add lemon juice and chopped parsley, then serve immediately.