Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy shrimp are sautéed in rich butter with fragrant garlic and a hint of red pepper flakes, finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley for a bright, vibrant flavor. Ready in just 11 minutes, this dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the savory sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasonings
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure they sear well. Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Melt butter and sauté garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn to maintain a sweet, mellow flavor.
- Cook the shrimp: Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked and juicy.
- Add lemon juice and parsley: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the shrimp and sprinkle in the chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently to combine all flavors evenly.
- Serve immediately: Remove the skillet from heat and serve the shrimp hot, accompanied by fresh lemon wedges on the side for extra zest. This dish goes wonderfully over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to enjoy every bit of the buttery garlic sauce.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
- For added flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the shrimp.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness or omit for a milder dish.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to maintain a tender texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
