Garlic Butter Shrimp hits the skillet with that warm garlic aroma that makes lunch feel much more exciting. Juicy shrimp cook in rich butter, then fresh lemon and parsley add a bright finish. Better yet, this quick lunch takes about 10 minutes, serves 6, and works well with fresh or frozen shrimp.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp gives you plenty of flavor without a long ingredient list. The butter coats each shrimp, while garlic adds a savory bite and lemon keeps the sauce fresh.
Also, you only need one skillet. So, cleanup stays simple, which always helps when I make lunch on a busy day.
Ready in Just 10 Minutes
You need about 5 minutes for prep and 5 minutes for cooking. Therefore, this recipe works especially well when hunger hits and you do not want to spend an hour near the stove.
In fact, the shrimp cook so quickly that I like to have every ingredient ready before I heat the skillet.
Simple Ingredients and Big Flavor
Butter and garlic create the rich base. Meanwhile, lemon juice cuts through that richness, and parsley adds a fresh herbal note.
As a result, Garlic Butter Shrimp tastes full and satisfying even though the recipe uses only a handful of everyday ingredients.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp
For 6 servings, you will need:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
Each serving contains about 173 calories, 3 g carbohydrates, 24 g protein, 7 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 301 mg cholesterol, 1,319 mg sodium, 124 mg potassium, 1 g fiber, and 1 g sugar.
Also, each serving contains about 175 IU vitamin A, 15 mg vitamin C, 174 mg calcium, and 3 mg iron.
Choosing the Best Shrimp
Large shrimp work especially well because they stay juicy while the outside picks up the buttery garlic sauce. Also, choose wild caught shrimp when available.
Fresh shrimp work nicely. However, frozen shrimp offer a handy option because you can keep a bag ready for quick lunches.
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
You can swap parsley for fresh basil, cilantro, or tarragon. Each herb changes the final flavor slightly while still pairing nicely with garlic and lemon.
Also, you can adjust the salt and black pepper to suit your taste. However, keep the butter, garlic, and lemon combination for that classic Garlic Butter Shrimp flavor.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
Have your shrimp cleaned, thawed if necessary, and dried before you start. Then, mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and juice the lemon.
Once everything sits within reach, cooking moves quickly.
Melt the Butter and Sauté the Garlic
First, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Then, add the minced garlic.
Cook the garlic for about 30 seconds until it smells aromatic. However, watch it closely because garlic can brown quickly.
Season and Cook the Shrimp
Next, add 1 1/2 pounds of large shrimp to the skillet. Season them with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
Then, cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Look for a pink color and opaque center before you remove the skillet from the heat.
Finish With Lemon Juice and Fresh Herbs
Next, pour in about 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Then, add 2 tablespoons of roughly chopped parsley.
Gently toss everything together so the lemony garlic butter coats each shrimp. Finally, serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp while it still tastes warm and juicy.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp
This recipe moves fast, so small details make a big difference. Fortunately, you only need a few simple habits for tender shrimp and a rich sauce.
Avoid Overcooking the Shrimp
Shrimp can turn rubbery when they cook too long. Therefore, keep an eye on them once they hit the hot skillet.
Cook them for only 2 to 3 minutes per side. Then, take the skillet off the heat as soon as the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Pat Thawed Shrimp Dry Before Cooking
Extra water prevents shrimp from getting good contact with the hot skillet. Instead, moisture can make them steam.
Therefore, pat thawed shrimp thoroughly with paper towels before cooking. As a result, the Garlic Butter Shrimp develops a better texture and richer flavor.
How to Quickly Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Place frozen shrimp under cold running water for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, gently separate any shrimp that stick together.
Then, drain them well and pat them dry. Do not skip the drying step because excess water can thin the butter sauce.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp fits into plenty of lunch combinations. You can keep things hearty with rice or pasta, or choose vegetables for something lighter.
Rice, Pasta, and Mashed Potatoes
Spoon the shrimp and garlic butter over warm rice for an easy lunch. The rice catches the lemony butter, so every bite carries plenty of flavor.
Likewise, pasta and mashed potatoes make tasty partners. Both give that buttery sauce somewhere delicious to go.
Zucchini Noodles and Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter plate, serve the shrimp over zucchini noodles. Their mild flavor pairs nicely with the garlic and fresh lemon.
Alternatively, tuck the shrimp into crisp lettuce wraps. Then, spoon a little garlic butter from the skillet over the top.
Easy Vegetable and Summer Side Dishes
Roasted asparagus makes a simple vegetable side. Meanwhile, grilled corn brings sweetness that works especially well with the savory shrimp.
Coleslaw also adds cool crunch and freshness. Therefore, it makes a nice choice for a warm summer lunch.
How to Store and Reheat Garlic Butter Shrimp
Leftovers can make tomorrow’s lunch just as easy. However, gentle reheating matters because shrimp can become tough quickly.
Refrigerating Leftovers
First, let the Garlic Butter Shrimp cool. Then, place the leftovers in an airtight container.
Keep them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Also, store any remaining garlic butter sauce with the shrimp to help them stay flavorful.
Freezing Garlic Butter Shrimp
You can also freeze the cooled shrimp. Place them in a freezer safe container or bag and store them for up to 3 months.
For easier portions, divide the leftovers before freezing. Then, you can thaw only the amount you need.
The Best Way to Reheat Shrimp Without Making It Rubbery
Warm leftover shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat. Also, add a small amount of butter or olive oil if the skillet looks dry.
Avoid the microwave when possible because strong heat can toughen shrimp quickly. Instead, slow skillet warming helps keep the texture tender.
You can also follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest and Facebook for more simple meal ideas.
Garlic Butter Shrimp FAQs
How to make garlic buttered shrimp?
First, melt butter over medium heat and cook minced garlic for about 30 seconds. Next, add seasoned shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley.
What seasoning goes with garlic butter shrimp?
Kosher salt and ground black pepper work well because garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs already bring plenty of flavor. However, fresh basil, cilantro, or tarragon can replace parsley when you want a different herbal note.
What are the ingredients of garlic shrimp?
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe uses butter, minced garlic, large shrimp, kosher salt, black pepper, fresh lemon juice, and parsley. Therefore, you only need seven simple ingredients.
How do you make baked garlic and butter shrimp?
You can adapt the same flavors for the oven by coating shrimp with melted butter, garlic, salt, and pepper before baking. However, the supplied recipe uses a skillet, so baking time and temperature will require a separate tested method.
More Such Recipes
- Try this buttery garlic shrimp scampi when you want another rich garlic and shrimp meal.
- Make this high-protein honey garlic shrimp for a sweet and savory lunch option.
- Keep lunch cool and crisp with this fresh and creamy shrimp salad.
- Try this creamy shrimp salad with lemon dill dressing when you want fresh citrus and herbs.
- Serve this shrimp and creamed corn dinner when you crave something warm and hearty.
- Make this fresh shrimp avocado salad for another light shrimp meal.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Shrimp proves that a quick lunch can still bring plenty of fresh, savory flavor. In just 10 minutes, butter, garlic, lemon, parsley, and juicy shrimp come together in one skillet.
Best of all, you can serve it with anything from fluffy rice to crisp lettuce wraps. So, keep some frozen shrimp handy, and this easy lunch can rescue a busy afternoon.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe : Quick and Easy 10 Minute Lunch
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Garlic Butter Shrimp is a quick 10-minute lunch made with juicy large shrimp, rich butter, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. It serves 6 and works well with fresh or frozen shrimp.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp
Kosher salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 tablespoons
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until aromatic.
3. Add the shrimp and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
4. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat.
6. Mix in the lemon juice and fresh parsley.
7. Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp warm.
Notes
Avoid overcooking the shrimp because they can turn rubbery.
Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Freeze cooled leftovers in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
For reheating, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a little butter or olive oil.
Avoid microwaving when possible because high heat can toughen the shrimp.
Quickly thaw frozen shrimp under cold running water for about 5 minutes.
Pat thawed shrimp thoroughly dry so they sear instead of steam.
You can replace fresh parsley with basil, cilantro, or tarragon.
Fresh or frozen shrimp both work well, and wild caught shrimp make a good choice when available.
Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, zucchini noodles, lettuce wraps, coleslaw, roasted asparagus, or grilled corn.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch Recipes
- Method: Skillet
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1319 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 301 mg