Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp Quick and Simple Recipe

June 5, 2025 by Emma

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious seafood dish, you’ve come to the right place! This Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp recipe is simple and packed with flavor. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a meal that impresses. Whether you’re a cooking pro or just starting, this dish is easy to follow. Let’s get cooking and bring some zest to your dinner table!

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 6 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

– Zest and juice of 1 lemon

– Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish and Serving Suggestions

– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

– Lemon wedges for serving

When making garlic butter lemon shrimp, you want fresh, quality ingredients. The shrimp are the star here. Choose large, peeled, and deveined shrimp for the best results. They cook quickly and soak up the flavors well.

Butter is key to creating a rich sauce. Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness. Fresh garlic adds that great aroma and taste. Mince it finely to spread the flavor throughout the dish.

For seasoning, red pepper flakes can give a nice kick. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference. The zest and juice of the lemon brighten up the dish. They balance the richness of the butter and add freshness. Finally, don’t forget salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors.

Garnishing with parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. It looks great on the plate. Serve with lemon wedges for that extra zing when eating. If you want to try this recipe, check out the Full Recipe for all the details!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

– Start by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels. This step is key for a nice sear.

– Next, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Make sure not to burn the garlic.

Cooking Process

– Raise the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper.

– Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and be fully cooked. The time may vary with shrimp size.

– After the shrimp cook, add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir well to coat the shrimp in the buttery garlic sauce.

Final Touches

– Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley. This adds a fresh flavor.

– For presentation, serve the shrimp with lemon wedges on the side. This makes the dish pop and adds a zesty finish. Enjoy this easy and quick meal as you dive into the full recipe!

Tips & Tricks

Ingredient Substitutions

If you want to switch up the main protein, shrimp is not your only option. You can use chicken or tofu instead. Chicken should be cut into small pieces. Tofu needs to be firm and pressed to remove extra water. Both options work well with the garlic butter sauce.

For a lighter dish, consider butter alternatives. Olive oil or ghee can be great choices. They add flavor without the heaviness of butter. You can even use vegan butter for a plant-based option.

Cooking Tips

To get the perfect shrimp texture, make sure they are dry before cooking. Pat them with paper towels to help them sear nicely. When cooking, use medium-high heat. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.

Avoid overcooking shrimp by keeping a close eye on them. They only need about 2-3 minutes per side. Look for the shrimp to turn pink and curl slightly. If they look tough or rubbery, they are overdone.

Flavor Enhancements

Want to give your dish a little kick? Add extra spices or herbs! A pinch of cayenne pepper can spice things up. Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro can also add freshness.

Pair your garlic butter lemon shrimp with side dishes for a complete meal. Serve it over rice, pasta, or a bed of greens. A light salad or steamed veggies can add color and nutrition. For the full recipe, visit the link provided.

Variations

Ingredient Variations

You can make garlic butter lemon shrimp even more fun.

– For a spicy kick, add more red pepper flakes.

– Try incorporating fresh spinach or bright bell peppers. These add color and nutrients.

Global Influences

Take your dish worldwide by changing the flavors.

– For an Italian twist, mix in some fresh basil and use white wine.

– Create an Asian-inspired version by adding soy sauce and ginger. This gives it a unique taste.

Dietary Variants

You can adapt this recipe to fit different diets.

– To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

– For those on a keto diet, skip the sugar and focus on the healthy fats.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container. Make sure to cool it first. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. The shrimp will stay fresh for up to three days. Always check for any off smells before eating.

Reheating Tips

To reheat shrimp, use a skillet over low heat. Heat for just a few minutes, stirring gently. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make shrimp rubbery. You want to warm them, not cook them further.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze garlic butter lemon shrimp, place it in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as you can before sealing. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results. This keeps the shrimp tender and tasty.

FAQs

How long does garlic butter lemon shrimp take to prepare?

This dish is quick! You need about 10 minutes to prep. Cooking takes around 5 minutes. In total, you’ll spend just 15 minutes to make this tasty meal.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can! Frozen shrimp work well. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place them in cold water for about 10-15 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and taste great.

What should I serve with garlic butter lemon shrimp?

This shrimp dish pairs well with many sides. Try serving it with:

– Steamed rice

– Garlic bread

– Fresh salad

– Pasta with olive oil

These choices balance the rich flavors of the shrimp.

How do I know when the shrimp are done cooking?

Perfectly cooked shrimp look bright pink. They should also curl into a C shape. If they turn gray or become hard, they are overcooked. Keep an eye on them while cooking for the best results.

Garlic butter lemon shrimp is simple to make and full of flavor. You first prepare shrimp, garlic, and butter before cooking them until golden. You can adjust the heat with pepper flakes and add fresh lemon for brightness. Remember, you can swap shrimp for chicken or tofu if you like. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of parsley and lemon wedges.

This dish is versatile, and leftovers store well in the fridge. Enjoy your cooking, and let your taste buds explore!

$- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 6 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - Zest and juice of 1 lemon - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley - Lemon wedges for serving When making garlic butter lemon shrimp, you want fresh, quality ingredients. The shrimp are the star here. Choose large, peeled, and deveined shrimp for the best results. They cook quickly and soak up the flavors well. Butter is key to creating a rich sauce. Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness. Fresh garlic adds that great aroma and taste. Mince it finely to spread the flavor throughout the dish. For seasoning, red pepper flakes can give a nice kick. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference. The zest and juice of the lemon brighten up the dish. They balance the richness of the butter and add freshness. Finally, don’t forget salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors. Garnishing with parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. It looks great on the plate. Serve with lemon wedges for that extra zing when eating. If you want to try this recipe, check out the Full Recipe for all the details! - Start by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels. This step is key for a nice sear. - Next, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Make sure not to burn the garlic. - Raise the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. - Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and be fully cooked. The time may vary with shrimp size. - After the shrimp cook, add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir well to coat the shrimp in the buttery garlic sauce. - Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley. This adds a fresh flavor. - For presentation, serve the shrimp with lemon wedges on the side. This makes the dish pop and adds a zesty finish. Enjoy this easy and quick meal as you dive into the full recipe! If you want to switch up the main protein, shrimp is not your only option. You can use chicken or tofu instead. Chicken should be cut into small pieces. Tofu needs to be firm and pressed to remove extra water. Both options work well with the garlic butter sauce. For a lighter dish, consider butter alternatives. Olive oil or ghee can be great choices. They add flavor without the heaviness of butter. You can even use vegan butter for a plant-based option. To get the perfect shrimp texture, make sure they are dry before cooking. Pat them with paper towels to help them sear nicely. When cooking, use medium-high heat. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. Avoid overcooking shrimp by keeping a close eye on them. They only need about 2-3 minutes per side. Look for the shrimp to turn pink and curl slightly. If they look tough or rubbery, they are overdone. Want to give your dish a little kick? Add extra spices or herbs! A pinch of cayenne pepper can spice things up. Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro can also add freshness. Pair your garlic butter lemon shrimp with side dishes for a complete meal. Serve it over rice, pasta, or a bed of greens. A light salad or steamed veggies can add color and nutrition. For the full recipe, visit the link provided. {{image_2}} You can make garlic butter lemon shrimp even more fun. - For a spicy kick, add more red pepper flakes. - Try incorporating fresh spinach or bright bell peppers. These add color and nutrients. Take your dish worldwide by changing the flavors. - For an Italian twist, mix in some fresh basil and use white wine. - Create an Asian-inspired version by adding soy sauce and ginger. This gives it a unique taste. You can adapt this recipe to fit different diets. - To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. - For those on a keto diet, skip the sugar and focus on the healthy fats. Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container. Make sure to cool it first. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. The shrimp will stay fresh for up to three days. Always check for any off smells before eating. To reheat shrimp, use a skillet over low heat. Heat for just a few minutes, stirring gently. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make shrimp rubbery. You want to warm them, not cook them further. To freeze garlic butter lemon shrimp, place it in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as you can before sealing. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results. This keeps the shrimp tender and tasty. This dish is quick! You need about 10 minutes to prep. Cooking takes around 5 minutes. In total, you’ll spend just 15 minutes to make this tasty meal. Yes, you can! Frozen shrimp work well. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place them in cold water for about 10-15 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and taste great. This shrimp dish pairs well with many sides. Try serving it with: - Steamed rice - Garlic bread - Fresh salad - Pasta with olive oil These choices balance the rich flavors of the shrimp. Perfectly cooked shrimp look bright pink. They should also curl into a C shape. If they turn gray or become hard, they are overcooked. Keep an eye on them while cooking for the best results. Garlic butter lemon shrimp is simple to make and full of flavor. You first prepare shrimp, garlic, and butter before cooking them until golden. You can adjust the heat with pepper flakes and add fresh lemon for brightness. Remember, you can swap shrimp for chicken or tofu if you like. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of parsley and lemon wedges. This dish is versatile, and leftovers store well in the fridge. Enjoy your cooking, and let your taste buds explore!$