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garlic butter shrimp recipe served in a skillet with lemon, parsley, and glossy butter sauce

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

This garlic butter shrimp recipe is fast, juicy, and full of lemon-garlic flavor, making it an easy one-skillet dinner for busy nights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 356 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet wide enough to hold the shrimp in a single layer
  • Tongs or thin spatula for turning the shrimp quickly
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Citrus juicer optional

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp

  • 1 1/2 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes plus more to taste if desired
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

Season and Cook the Shrimp

  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then season with the kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
    garlic butter shrimp recipe steps 1 to 4 seasoning shrimp, cooking garlic, searing shrimp, and flipping
  • Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the bottoms begin turning pink and opaque.
  • Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until they are pink, opaque, and curled into a loose C shape.

Finish the Sauce

  • Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, the lemon juice, and the lemon zest. Swirl the skillet until the butter melts into a glossy sauce.
    garlic butter shrimp recipe steps 5 to 7 adding lemon butter sauce, finishing with parsley, and serving
  • Stir in the chopped parsley and taste for seasoning.

Serve

  • Serve the garlic butter shrimp immediately over rice, pasta, or toasted bread with the warm sauce spooned over the top.

Notes

Pro tip: Pull the shrimp as soon as they turn pink and curl into a loose C shape so they stay juicy instead of chewy. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small splash of water or extra butter.
Keyword easy garlic butter shrimp, garlic butter shrimp recipe, lemon garlic shrimp