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Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp
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This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a quick, savory, and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich and aromatic garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, it delivers a restaurant-quality meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce & Seasonings

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 to 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • Juice of half a lemon, freshly squeezed
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Shrimp: Start by rinsing your shrimp under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. This ensures they sear properly and don’t steam in the pan. If your shrimp still have tails, decide if you’d like to leave them for presentation or remove for easier eating.
  2. Melt the Butter and Sauté Garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant — be careful not to let it brown or burn as that turns bitter.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp in a single layer and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side until they turn pink and opaque, then flip and cook another minute on the other side.
  4. Add Lemon Juice and Parsley: Remove the skillet from heat, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, and sprinkle the fresh parsley. Toss everything together gently to coat the shrimp evenly in the glorious garlic butter sauce.
  5. Serve Immediately: Serve your Garlic Butter Shrimp piping hot for the best texture and flavor. Pair it with your favorite sides or enjoy it as is!

Notes

  • Preheat Your Pan: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding shrimp to get a proper sear and avoid sogginess.
  • Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook very fast; as soon as they turn pink and curl slightly, they’re done to keep them tender.
  • Fresh is Best: Whenever possible, use fresh garlic and shrimp for maximum aroma and texture.
  • Use Unsalted Butter: This allows you more control over seasoning and avoids an overly salty dish.
  • Add Lemon Last: Adding lemon juice off the heat keeps its bright flavor intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Butter Shrimp, Quick Shrimp Recipe, Easy Seafood, Garlic Shrimp, Sautéed Shrimp, Weeknight Dinner, Seafood Appetizer, Gluten Free Shrimp

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/garlic-butter-shrimp/