Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic butter shrimp is juicy, flavorful, and the perfect weeknight meal. A simple combination of melted butter, minced garlic and lemon juice, this easy recipe only takes 10 minutes to make (yes, just 10 minutes).

Fresh or Frozen Shrimp – Which Is Better?

When it comes to seafood, always consider the quality of the product and its source. Of course, it’s ideal to buy from a coastal shop selling fresh catches of the day. But, if you’re looking for something a bit cheaper and faster, don’t overlook the freezer section at your local market.

Wild frozen shrimp is always preferred because they are frozen immediately upon coming into the port. So they’ll maintain their freshness and flavor over time. And I always prioritize wild-caught North American shrimp over shrimp from Asia.

What about the fresh shrimp on ice in your supermarket? They may not be freshly caught and it’s hard to know how long the thawed shrimp have been sitting behind the counter. Just take the safe route and head to the freezer aisle to pick up a bag of shrimp.

Also, it’s better to buy wild white shrimp if you are pan searing shrimp on its own. This type of shrimp has a sweet, delicious flavor, is a bit larger and cooks firmly. Otherwise, smaller shrimp can be used for dishes such as my Shrimp Ceviche or  Shrimp Salad.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe Video

While this recipe is easy to make, it always helps to watch a quick step-by-step tutorial video. Give it a watch below!

How To Thaw Frozen Shrimp

If you’ve planned to cook shrimp the night before, simply pull your bag of frozen shrimp out of the freezer and into the fridge. They will gradually thaw overnight and be ready to cook by dinnertime.

But, say you are just getting home from work and suddenly decide to whip up some shrimp. Don’t worry, you will still have plenty of time to thaw it! Here’s how to do it:

• Place the frozen shrimp into a bowl or colander in the sink.
• Run it under cold water for about 5 minutes, occasionally tossing them around to make sure they are all thawed. Depending on the size of the shrimp, this process can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes.
• When the shrimp have thawed completely, place them on a sheet tray and gently blot the shrimp with a paper towel. You want to remove as much excess moisture from the shrimp so that they can brown nicely without overcooking in excess water.

How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp

Lucky for you, lemony garlic butter shrimp is easy to make! It cooks quickly and is extremely versatile when it comes to making different dishes. Here’s how to make it:

1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat and then stir in the garlic. Cook this for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the shrimp and season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes each side, until the shrimp becomes pink and opaque.
3. Stir in the lemon juice and any remaining butter. Take off heat and taste test to see if you need any more salt and pepper.
4. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and you are ready to serve!

What to Serve with Shrimp?

Now that you have your shrimp ready to go, it never hurts to add a side dish for some extra flavor and texture. A few sides I would recommend are my Mashed Cauliflower, Garlic Ginger Bok Choy, Cauliflower Rice, or fresh Coleslaw.

Need More Shrimp Recipes?

If you’re looking for more variations on how to cook shrimp, take a peek through the shrimp recipes below. I think you’ll love them!

• Shrimp Scampi
• Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Creamy Chipotle Shrimp
• Shrimp Salad
• Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
• Zucchini Pasta with Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Shrimp Tacos

Garlic Butter Shrimp

4.93 from 26 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

Print Pin Review

This garlic butter shrimp is incredibly easy to make and loaded with garlicky goodness. Watch the video above to see how quickly it comes together!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

1x2x3x

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 3 tablespoons butter (or ghee), plus more, as desired
• ▢ 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 4-5 cloves garlic , minced
• ▢ 1 lemon, juiced
• ▢ chopped parsley , to garnish

Instructions 

• Melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat and then stir in the garlic. Cook this for about 30 seconds.
• Add the shrimp to the skillet and season it with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp begins to turn pink.
• Take the shrimp off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. If you'd like it extra buttery, you can add more butter now as well.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve.

Lisa’s Tips

• When it comes to shrimp, do your best to not overcook them. That’s when they become rubbery. 

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 301mg, Sodium: 1319mg, Potassium: 124mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 174mg, Iron: 3mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Garlic Butter Shrimp, Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp, Shrimp Recipe

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @downshiftology and hashtag it #downshiftology.