Garlic Butter Shrimp (in 10 Minutes!)

Garlic butter shrimp is a healthy 10-minute recipe you can whip up quickly. Large shrimp are cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, then finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Plus, there are numerous ways to serve it for a tasty lunch or dinner!

Garlic butter shrimp in a pan. — *Photo: Gayle McLeod*

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic butter shrimp is easily one of my most frequently made dishes at home. It’s a simplified version of shrimp scampi, without the wine and red pepper flakes, but the flavors are just as magnificent—buttery, garlicky, and bright with fresh lemon and herbs. That’s what I love about shrimp recipes—with just a few simple ingredients, you can create a stunning meal. No fancy chef skills are needed! You’ll also love that this recipe is:

Made in 10 minutes. From start to finish, this dish comes together quickly, which is always a win in my book.
Great for meal prep. I often include shrimp in my weekly meal preps because it’s such a great protein option for creating easy, healthy meals.
A beauty for dinner. Especially when served over a mound of creamy mashed potatoes or cilantro lime rice. I’ll share more serving ideas below!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Ingredients

Shrimp: Grab the freshest jumbo shrimp you can find, whether fresh or frozen! I’d also look for wild white shrimp if you are pan-searing shrimp on its own. This type has a sweet, delicious flavor and cooks firmly. Otherwise, smaller shrimp can be used for dishes such as shrimp ceviche or shrimp salad.
Butter and Garlic: A dynamic duo for the most delicious garlicky, buttery sauce.
Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice really finishes off the dish, so don’t skip this!
Parsley: Garnishing with freshly chopped parsley adds a pop of green and delicious herby flavor. But you can also use fresh basil, cilantro, or tarragon.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp

Cook the aromatics. Melt the butter in a skillet and stir in the garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt, and black pepper, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp becomes pink and opaque. Remember that shrimp cooks really fast, so be attentive here!
Add the finishing touches. Stir in the lemon juice, and any remaining butter, then garnish with chopped parsley before serving. That’s it!

Commonly Asked Questions

Is fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp better?

When it comes to seafood, always consider the quality and source of the product. Ideally, buying fresh shrimp from a coastal seafood market is best. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and convenient option, don’t overlook the freezer section at your local grocery store.

Wild-caught frozen shrimp are always preferred because they’re frozen immediately upon arriving at the port, preserving their freshness and flavor. I also prioritize wild-caught North American shrimp over imported shrimp from Asia for better quality and sustainability.

How do you thaw frozen shrimp quickly?

If you forgot to thaw your shrimp overnight, don’t worry! You can quickly defrost them by running the frozen shrimp under cold water for about 5 minutes, tossing them occasionally to ensure even thawing. Once thawed, place them on a sheet tray and gently blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to help the shrimp brown nicely instead of steaming in excess water.

Ways To Serve Shrimp

Here comes the fun part—there are so many ways to serve up garlic butter shrimp! A few of my favorite ideas are:

Classic comfort food pairings: I mentioned mashed potatoes above, but this is also great piled on rice or tossed with pasta with freshly grated parmesan and extra lemon juice. I love using zucchini noodles for this!
Light lettuce wraps: Wrap the shrimp in butter lettuce leaves with a drizzle of extra sauce for a light and fresh dinner.
The perfect summer shrimp plate: Come warmer days, this is great in a spread with sides of coleslaw, roasted asparagus, or grilled corn.

Garlic butter shrimp with rice on a plate.

More Shrimp Recipes

If you make this garlic butter shrimp recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.

Description

This garlic butter shrimp is the perfect 10-minute dinner idea for busy weeknights. Everyone will love this fragrant garlic butter sauce. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

To store in the fridge: Let the shrimp cook completely before storing it in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze for later: Place cooled shrimp in a freezer-safe container bag, removing as much air as possible. They will stay good for up to 3 months.

Reheating tip: Avoid using the microwave as it can make shrimp tough. Instead, warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a little extra butter or olive oil, until heated through.

When it comes to shrimp, do your best to not overcook them. That’s when they become rubbery.

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This recipe was originally posted August 2019, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!