One bite of these buttery garlic shrimp and you can see why this simple shrimp recipe belongs in the regular dinner rotation. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect when you want an easy seafood dinner without a lot of work, ready in just 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients, big flavor. Butter, garlic, and a few pantry seasonings are all it takes.
- Ready in 25 minutes. A fast, satisfying dinner for busy nights.
- Extra buttery. A generous amount of butter creates a rich, glossy coating on every shrimp.
- Versatile serving options. Great on its own, over rice, pasta, or with vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 tbsp butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
1. Season the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season evenly with Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
2. Heat the skillet. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the shrimp. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden, pink, and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the garlic butter. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring until the garlic is fragrant.
5. Coat the shrimp. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss thoroughly in the warm garlic butter.
6. Add the lemon. Stir in the lemon juice and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, spooning the garlic butter over the shrimp.
7. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the garlic butter shrimp with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cooking the shrimp in a single layer helps them sear instead of steam.
- Watch the garlic closely. It can burn quickly in hot butter, so keep an eye on it during that step.
- Spoon the butter over generously. This ensures every shrimp gets coated in that rich, garlicky sauce.
- Serve immediately. These shrimp are best enjoyed hot, right out of the skillet while the butter is still glossy.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp
These shrimp are versatile enough to serve over rice or pasta for a full dinner, or alongside crusty bread as a shareable appetizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat very dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, since the shrimp can turn rubbery when reheated.
Can I reduce the amount of butter?
Yes, you can use less butter if you prefer a lighter dish, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich and glossy.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season evenly with Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden, pink, and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring until the garlic is fragrant.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss thoroughly in the warm garlic butter.
- Stir in the lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, spooning the garlic butter over the shrimp.
- Sprinkle the garlic butter shrimp with fresh parsley and serve immediately. This garlic shrimp is delicious on its own or served with rice, pasta, or vegetables for an easy seafood dinner.