🍤 The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp!
If you’re looking for a quick dinner that delivers incredible flavor with very little effort, this Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is exactly what you need! Juicy shrimp are cooked in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with fresh lemon juice, parsley, and a touch of seasoning.
Ready in just about 15 minutes, this easy shrimp recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, date-night dinners, or whenever you’re craving a restaurant-style seafood meal at home.
The best part? Everything comes together in one skillet, and the garlic butter sauce is so delicious you’ll want to serve it with plenty of crusty bread!
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp
- 🍤 Ready in about 15 minutes
- 🧄 Loaded with fresh garlic flavor
- 🧈 Rich and buttery sauce
- 🍋 Fresh lemon adds brightness
- 🌿 Finished with fresh parsley
- 🍳 Easy one-skillet recipe
- 🍚 Perfect over rice or pasta
- 🥖 Delicious with crusty bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges, for serving
How to Make the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
Season them with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Toss gently until the shrimp are evenly coated.
Step 2: Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
Once the butter melts and the skillet is hot, add the shrimp in a single layer.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Cook the shrimp for approximately 1–2 minutes per side.
Once they become opaque and are cooked through, transfer them to a plate.
Try not to overcook the shrimp because they can become tough.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the remaining butter to the skillet.
Once melted, add the minced garlic.
Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5: Add the Broth and Lemon
Pour the chicken or seafood broth into the skillet.
Add the fresh lemon juice and stir.
Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen the flavorful browned bits.
Let the sauce simmer for about 1–2 minutes.
Step 6: Return the Shrimp
Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet.
Toss gently until they’re completely coated in the garlic butter sauce.
Cook for another 30–60 seconds to warm everything through.
Step 7: Garnish
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the shrimp.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
What Does Garlic Butter Shrimp Taste Like?
This shrimp recipe is rich, savory, garlicky, buttery, and bright.
The butter creates a silky sauce, while fresh garlic adds a deep savory flavor. Lemon juice cuts through the richness and adds a fresh citrus note, while parsley gives the dish a light herbal finish.
Every bite is packed with simple but delicious flavors.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp
Use Fresh Garlic
Freshly minced garlic makes a huge difference. It creates a much stronger and more aromatic sauce than dried garlic.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
Shrimp cook very quickly. As soon as they become opaque and cooked through, they’re ready.
Pat the Shrimp Dry
Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp sear instead of releasing too much liquid into the skillet.
Use Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the final dish.
Fresh Lemon Makes a Difference
Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce a bright flavor that bottled juice can’t quite match.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
Absolutely!
Frozen shrimp are convenient and work very well in this recipe. Thaw them completely before cooking and pat them dry before seasoning.
Can I Use Smaller Shrimp?
Yes. Smaller shrimp can be substituted, but they will cook faster, so keep a close eye on them.
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Variations
Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat.
Parmesan Garlic Butter Shrimp
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the shrimp just before serving.
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
Add extra lemon zest and lemon juice for a brighter citrus flavor.
Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp
Replace the Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning for a bold, spicy variation.
Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp
Add a small drizzle of honey to the sauce for a delicious sweet-and-savory combination.
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach
Add fresh spinach to the skillet during the final few minutes and cook until wilted.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp
This versatile shrimp recipe can be served with so many sides.
Try it with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Angel hair pasta
- Linguine
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Garlic bread
- Crusty French bread
- Steamed broccoli
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Simple garden salad
For an easy 20-minute dinner, serve the shrimp over rice with steamed broccoli.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer leftover shrimp and sauce to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low to medium heat until warmed through.
Avoid reheating the shrimp for too long because they can become tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shrimp take to cook?
Large shrimp usually take only a few minutes in a hot skillet. Cooking time depends on their size and the heat of your pan.
Can I make garlic butter shrimp without lemon?
Yes. Lemon adds brightness, but you can leave it out or substitute a small amount of lime juice.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Absolutely. Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper according to your preferred heat level.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce or omit the additional salt and taste the sauce before serving.
Can I make this recipe with shell-on shrimp?
Yes. Shell-on shrimp can add extra flavor, although peeled shrimp are easier to eat and coat more evenly with the sauce.
The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Card
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet.
- Cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and cooked through.
- Remove shrimp from the skillet.
- Add remaining butter.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds.
- Pour in broth and lemon juice.
- Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Return shrimp to the skillet and toss in the sauce.
- Cook for another 30–60 seconds.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Final Thoughts
The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp is a simple recipe that proves you don’t need complicated ingredients to make an incredible dinner. Juicy shrimp, fresh garlic, rich butter, lemon, and herbs come together in one skillet in just 15 minutes.
Serve it over rice, toss it with pasta, or pair it with crusty bread to soak up every drop of that delicious garlic butter sauce.
This easy garlic butter shrimp recipe is fast enough for a weeknight and flavorful enough to become a family favorite!
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Make the best Garlic Butter Shrimp in just 15 minutes! Juicy shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with lemon, herbs, and simple seasonings.