Garlic Butter Shrimp
This garlic shrimp is a simple preparation, and it cooks in under 10 minutes. Serve with French bread and a salad or serve with angel hair pasta or rice. The shrimp make a great appetizer, too.
If you’re looking for a fast and flavorful dinner, this garlic butter shrimp is the perfect solution. It comes together in under 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. The shrimp are sautéed in rich, melted butter with plenty of garlic, and a splash of lemon juice brightens up the whole dish.
You can serve these juicy shrimp with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of the garlicky sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds color and freshness, making it as beautiful as it is delicious.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp
Quick and easy. From prep to plate in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Big flavor with few ingredients. Garlic, butter, and lemon create a simple but irresistible sauce.
Versatile serving options. Enjoy it with rice, pasta, or even as an appetizer with bread for dipping.
Fresh and vibrant. The parsley and lemon juice keep it light and flavorful.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Peel and devein the shrimp, then rinse and pat them dry.
- Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook just until they turn opaque.
- Optionally, deglaze the pan with a few tablespoons of white wine.
- Finish with a splash of lemon juice, a little lemon zest if you like, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Recipe Variations
- Add a little heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes while cooking the garlic for a spicy kick.
- Make it creamy. Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end for a silky sauce.
- Use herbs. Swap parsley for fresh basil, cilantro, or dill for a different flavor profile.
- Try garlic butter prawns. Use larger shell-on prawns for a more dramatic presentation.
- Serve as shrimp scampi. Toss the cooked shrimp with angel hair pasta and a bit of the pasta water to create a quick scampi-style dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlicky butter sauce.
- Pair with a light salad for a quick, fresh dinner.
- Add cooked rice or pasta to make it a complete meal.
- Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges for a bright finish.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate. Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freeze? Freezing is not recommended, as cooked shrimp can become rubbery and lose their delicate texture after thawing.
To Reheat. Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a little extra butter, just until heated through (avoid overcooking).
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp. Rinse the shrimp and remove the shells. Devein the shrimp.
- Sauté the garlic. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Deglaze with wine (if using). Add wine and let it simmer for 30 seconds to deglaze the pan.
- Sauté the shrimp. Add the shrimp and cook until they are opaque, turning them frequently. Add the lemon juice and zest and heat through.
- Serve. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with rice or angel hair pasta.
