Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe
When you’re craving restaurant-quality seafood but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is your perfect solution. As one of the most popular easy seafood dinner recipes, it transforms simple ingredients into an elegant meal that feels special enough for date night yet simple enough for busy weeknights. The magic happens when plump, succulent shrimp meet fragrant garlic and rich butter, creating a sauce that’s downright irresistible.
What makes this Seafood dish truly stand out is its versatility and speed. From start to finish, you’ll have a complete meal ready in about 20 minutes—faster than most takeout options. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or unexpected guests, this recipe delivers consistent results every time. The combination of garlic’s pungent aroma and butter’s creamy richness creates a flavor profile that appeals to both seafood lovers and those new to cooking fish and shellfish.
Perfect for anyone building their repertoire of easy seafood dinner recipes, this Garlic Butter Shrimp requires minimal prep work and basic kitchen skills. You don’t need special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients—just fresh shrimp, pantry staples, and about 20 minutes of your time. The result is a dish that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and leaves you wondering why you ever ordered expensive seafood at restaurants when you can make something this delicious at home.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp
- 🍽️ Restaurant-quality flavor at home: Perfectly cooked shrimp in a rich, garlicky butter sauce that rivals any seafood restaurant.
- ⏱️ Ready in 20 minutes: From fridge to table faster than most takeout options—perfect for busy weeknights.
- 💰 Budget-friendly luxury: Shrimp is more affordable than lobster or scallops but feels just as special and impressive.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly seafood: Mild yet flavorful sauce appeals to both adults and kids, making it perfect for family dinners.
- ✨ Versatile foundation recipe: Easily customize with different herbs, spices, or vegetables to create your own signature version.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Cooked rice or pasta, for serving
👨🍳 Instructions
- Prep the shrimp: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This helps them sear properly instead of steaming. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil. When butter melts and foams, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in lemon zest. Return shrimp to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Toss to coat shrimp in the sauce and heat through for 30 seconds.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley and chives. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
💡 CHEF’S SECRET: Don’t overcrowd the shrimp in the pan! Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes the shrimp to steam rather than sear, preventing that beautiful golden color and concentrated flavor.
📊 Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbs | 3 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
🎨 Variations
Transform this versatile recipe into different easy seafood dinner recipes with simple tweaks. For a Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp, add 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning with the garlic. Create Garlic Butter Shrimp with Vegetables by sautéing 1 cup of sliced bell peppers and ½ cup of sliced onions before cooking the shrimp. For an Asian-inspired version, replace 1 tablespoon of butter with sesame oil and add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free) with the lemon juice. Make it creamy by stirring in ¼ cup of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end—perfect for serving over pasta.
📦 Storage
Store leftover Garlic Butter Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The shrimp texture changes slightly upon reheating, so it’s best enjoyed fresh. To reheat, place in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shrimp rubbery. The sauce can be frozen for up to 1 month, though the shrimp itself doesn’t freeze well after cooking. If you need to prep ahead, you can measure all ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
❓ FAQ
Can I make Garlic Butter Shrimp ahead?
You can prep components ahead: peel and devein shrimp, store in refrigerator up to 24 hours; mince garlic and chop herbs, store separately in airtight containers. However, for best texture and flavor, cook just before serving as shrimp cooks quickly and tastes best fresh.
What pairs well with this?
This Seafood dish pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the delicious sauce. Try it over steamed rice, pasta (especially linguine or angel hair), quinoa, or with crusty bread. For vegetables, roasted asparagus, sautéed spinach, or a crisp green salad complement the rich shrimp perfectly. For a complete meal, add a glass of sparkling water with lemon or iced tea.
How do I know when it’s done?
Shrimp cooks quickly and is done when it turns from translucent gray to opaque pink and forms a loose “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp curl tightly into an “O” shape and become rubbery. The entire cooking process for the shrimp should take only 2-4 minutes total, depending on size. When in doubt, remove one shrimp and cut it open—it should be white and opaque throughout with no translucent areas.
🎉 Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe proves that impressive meals don’t require hours in the kitchen. With just 20 minutes and simple ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality Seafood dish that will become a regular in your rotation of easy seafood dinner recipes. The combination of sweet shrimp, rich butter, and fragrant garlic creates magic in a pan—a sauce so good you’ll want to lick the plate clean.
💬 Comment below with your favorite variations or questions! More Seafood inspiration on Pinterest
