Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque.
- Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
- Reduce the heat slightly.
- Add the remaining butter to the skillet.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir until combined.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet.
- Toss gently to coat with the garlic butter sauce.
- Cook for 1 minute until heated through.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Pat the shrimp dry before cooking to help them brown instead of steam. Cook the shrimp only until they turn pink and opaque to keep them tender and juicy. Fresh lemon juice and parsley should be added at the end for the brightest flavor. Serve with crusty bread, rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables to enjoy every drop of the garlic butter sauce.Wine Advice
A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully with the buttery garlic sauce and fresh lemon. For a non-alcoholic option, serve with sparkling lemon water or iced herbal tea.Nutrition values
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About This Recipe
Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet is a quick seafood dinner that combines juicy shrimp with rich butter, fresh garlic, bright lemon, and chopped parsley. Ready in just 18 minutes, this one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights while delivering restaurant-quality flavor. The combination of garlic, butter, and citrus creates a simple sauce that coats every shrimp beautifully without overpowering its natural sweetness.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp
This garlic butter shrimp recipe uses everyday ingredients yet produces impressive results. Fresh garlic adds depth, butter creates a silky sauce, and lemon juice balances the richness with bright acidity. The entire meal comes together in one skillet, making cleanup just as easy as preparation.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet Ingredients
Large shrimp, real butter, fresh garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and a touch of red pepper flakes create a simple but flavorful sauce. Choosing fresh shrimp and quality butter makes a noticeable difference in both taste and texture.
Cooking Perfect Shrimp
Shrimp cook in only a few minutes. Remove them from the heat as soon as they become pink and opaque to keep them tender and juicy. Cooking them any longer can quickly make them firm, so watching the skillet carefully is the key to perfect results every time.
Serving Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet is delicious with crusty bread, steamed rice, buttered pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. A crisp green salad also complements the buttery sauce perfectly. For more easy seafood meals, browse our Seafood Recipes collection.
Storage Tips
Store leftover garlic butter shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently over low heat to keep the shrimp tender. Finish with extra parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving to refresh the flavors. For food safety guidance, visit the FDA Food Safety website.
This quick seafood recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners as well as casual entertaining. Its rich garlic butter sauce, bright lemon flavor, and tender shrimp make it a meal that looks impressive while requiring very little effort. Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet is a recipe you’ll enjoy making again and again throughout the year.