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.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Fast and easy. Ready in about 10 minutes once the shrimp are prepped.
Garlicky and buttery. A simple sauce that complements, not overwhelms, the shrimp.
Versatile. Serve with rice, pasta, vegetables, or bread—whatever fits your meal.
Perfect weeknight dinner. Minimal prep with restaurant-style flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Shrimp: Large raw shrimp cook quickly and stay juicy; peel and devein for fastest prep.
- Butter: Forms the rich, silky base of the sauce.
- Olive oil: Helps prevent the butter from scorching and adds flavor.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best aroma and taste.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, but they add a subtle kick.
- White wine: A splash of dry white wine deepens the flavor and helps deglaze the pan.
- Lemon juice and zest: Add brightness and balance to the buttery sauce.
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.
Tips for Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Watch the garlic closely—it should soften, not brown.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp; they turn opaque and curl into a “C” shape when done.
- Add the lemon juice near the end to preserve its bright flavor.
- If the pan sauce reduces too much, add a splash of broth or water.
- For extra richness, swirl in a small pat of butter just before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Garlic butter shrimp with pasta. Toss the shrimp and sauce with angel hair, linguine, or spaghetti. Add a splash of pasta water to help the sauce coat the noodles evenly.
- Creamy garlic shrimp. Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream at the end for a lightly creamy, restaurant-style sauce.
- Lemon-herb shrimp. Add fresh basil, thyme, or chives along with the parsley for a bright herbal twist.
- Spicy version. Increase the red pepper flakes or stir in a teaspoon of chili crisp or hot sauce.
- Garlic butter shrimp and veggies. Add halved cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, or thin asparagus pieces to the skillet to make it a one-pan meal.
- Cajun-style shrimp. Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning when sautéing the garlic for a smoky, spicy flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with rice such as jasmine, basmati, or lemon rice.
- Add pasta—angel hair, fettuccine, or linguine work well.
- Pair with roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini.
- Choose crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the sauce.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash for a cozy dinner.
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.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
