The Juiciest Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Creamy, garlicky shrimp dancing in butter create a mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp recipe that promises instant satisfaction.

Succulent prawns sizzle with aromatic herbs and rich, golden sauce.

My kitchen always fills with incredible aromas when preparing this quick seafood delight.

Mediterranean coastal memories flood back with each tender, perfectly seasoned bite.

Simple ingredients transform into an elegant meal that impresses without complicated techniques.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with these juicy, tender shellfish swimming in luxurious butter.

You can whip up this restaurant-quality dish faster than ordering takeout, making every moment in the kitchen feel like a culinary adventure.

Why Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Stands Out

• Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: Perfect for novice cooks who want to create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or advanced culinary training.
• Speedy Meal Solution: Prepare a delicious protein-packed meal in mere minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner plans when time is limited.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Combines classic ingredients like butter, garlic, and fresh herbs to create an irresistible taste that appeals to both seafood lovers and picky eaters, ensuring everyone at the table will be satisfied.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy as a standalone dish, serve over pasta, pair with rice, or transform into an appetizer that works perfectly for casual family dinners or elegant gatherings with friends.

What To Use In Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that will be the star of this delicious dish, quickly cooked to achieve a tender and succulent texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich and smooth base that helps develop deep flavors in the recipe.

• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a robust and slightly spicy flavor profile to enhance the shrimp's taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that help balance and elevate the overall taste of the dish.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright and fresh garnish that brings color and a light herbaceous note.
• Lemon: Offers a tangy citrus element that cuts through the richness of the butter and adds a zesty finish to the shrimp.

How To Cook Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Fast

Step 1: Prepare the Butter Bath

Grab a large skillet and warm it over medium heat. Gently melt the butter until it transforms into a golden, silky liquid that will become the flavor foundation for your succulent seafood adventure.

Step 2: Unleash Aromatic Flavors

Drop in the minced garlic and sprinkle red pepper flakes if you’re craving a spicy kick. Let these ingredients dance together for 1-2 minutes, releasing their incredible fragrance and creating a tantalizing base.

• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes

Step 3: Transform Shrimp into Culinary Magic

Crank up the heat to medium-high and carefully introduce the shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper to elevate the taste. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes, watching for that gorgeous pink transformation that signals perfectly cooked seafood.

Step 4: Elevate with Bright Zesty Notes

Once shrimp reach their peak deliciousness, splash fresh lemon juice across the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring each shrimp gets coated in the luxurious sauce. Sprinkle chopped parsley for a burst of fresh green color and flavor.

• Lemon juice
• Fresh parsley

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Transfer your garlic butter shrimp to a serving plate immediately. Accompany with lemon wedges for those who love an extra citrus punch. Your culinary masterpiece is ready to delight taste buds and impress dinner guests!

Tips That Help With Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

• Prevent Overcooking Shrimp: Watch the color and texture closely. Shrimp turn from translucent to pink-white quickly, and overcooking makes them tough and rubbery.
• Control Garlic Intensity: Adjust garlic amount based on personal preference. Sauté garlic briefly to release flavor without burning, which creates a bitter taste.
• Select Fresh Shrimp: Choose high-quality, firm shrimp with a mild ocean scent. Frozen shrimp work great when thawed completely and patted dry to ensure perfect searing.
• Season Strategically: Use salt and pepper sparingly before cooking. Taste and adjust seasoning after cooking to prevent oversalting and maintain delicate shrimp flavor.
• Add Versatile Variations: Experiment with herbs like dill or cilantro instead of parsley.

Tasty Twists On Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

• Spicy Cajun Shrimp Swap: Replace garlic with Cajun seasoning, adding a bold, zesty kick to the classic recipe while maintaining the buttery base.
• Mediterranean Herb Transformation: Substitute parsley with fresh oregano and thyme, then add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired seafood experience.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Companion: Serve shrimp over roasted cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice, creating a protein-packed, keto-friendly meal that's light and satisfying.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Incorporate coconut milk and mild curry powder into the butter sauce, transforming the dish with a creamy, aromatic Southeast Asian flavor profile.

Great Pairings With Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

• Wine Harmony: Select crisp, citrusy white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complement the shrimp's delicate flavor and cut through the rich garlic butter.
• Carb Companions: Serve with light, fluffy options like garlic herb rice, crusty French bread, or angel hair pasta to soak up the delicious butter sauce and balance the dish.
• Fresh Side Kick: Add a zesty mixed green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast and enhance the seafood's bright flavors.
• Veggie Accent: Roast asparagus or sauté some quick zucchini as a simple green side that doesn't overpower the shrimp's subtle taste.

How To Keep Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Fresh

• Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
• Transfer cooled shrimp to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Warm shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a splash of butter or olive oil.

Answers To Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Questions

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. Ensure they’re deveined and peeled to save preparation time.

• How do I know when shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and form a loose “C” shape. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, so watch them closely during cooking.

• What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium to large-sized shrimp work perfectly. Look for fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp with consistent size for even cooking.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from optional red pepper flakes. You can adjust or omit them based on your spice preference, making it suitable for all taste levels.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter shrimp dazzles seafood enthusiasts with Mediterranean coastal charm. Quick and elegant, this dish promises restaurant-quality flavors that invite diners to savor each perfectly seasoned bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
• Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Position a large skillet over medium heat and gently melt unsalted butter until it transforms into a smooth, golden liquid.
2. Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the melted butter, allowing the aromatics to dance and release their fragrant essence for 1-2 minutes without browning.
3. Elevate the heat to medium-high and carefully slide the shrimp into the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Cook each side for approximately 2-3 minutes until the shrimp transition from translucent to a vibrant pink hue.
4. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, gently tossing to ensure every morsel is coated with the zesty, buttery glaze. Immediately remove the skillet from heat.
5. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, creating a verdant contrast against the golden shrimp. Serve piping hot with additional lemon wedges for those craving an extra citrus punch.

Notes

• Butter Selection: Choose high-quality unsalted butter for a richer, more controlled flavor profile that won’t overpower the delicate shrimp.
• Temperature Control: Keep the heat medium to prevent burning garlic and ensure even cooking of shrimp, which can quickly become rubbery if overcooked.
• Seafood Freshness: Always use fresh, deveined shrimp for the best texture and taste, preferably sourced from sustainable fisheries.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter version or use ghee for a lactose-free alternative that maintains a rich, buttery essence.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 220mg