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Amazing 20-Min Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipes

If you’re anything like me, weeknights are for EITHER collapsing on the couch OR getting something ridiculously delicious on the table FAST. And when I say fast, I mean like, “blink and you’ll miss it” fast. That’s where this garlic butter shrimp recipe comes in. It’s one of those magical shrimp recipes that takes hardly any time at all but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Seriously, I whip this up when friends drop by unexpectedly or when I’m just craving something amazing without the fuss. It’s become my go-to for a reason – pure, unadulterated flavor, zero stress!

Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipes

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love a recipe that’s this good and this easy? Here’s the scoop on why this garlic butter shrimp has earned a permanent spot in my weeknight rotation:

  • Speed Demon: We’re talking under 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s faster than deciding what to order in!
  • Foolproof Ease: Even if you’re just starting out in the kitchen, you can nail this. No fancy techniques required, promise!
  • Flavor Explosion: That irresistible garlic butter sauce? It’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious and oh-so-fragrant.
  • Endless Possibilities: Serve it solo, pile it on pasta, spoon it over rice, or just grab some crusty bread for dipping. Your call!
  • Clean-up Champion: Most of the magic happens in one stellar skillet, meaning less dish duty for you. Hooray!

Ingredients for Delicious Shrimp Recipes

Okay, so for this amazing garlic butter shrimp, you don’t need a whole grocery store haul. It’s all about a few simple, high-impact ingredients. Trust me, these are the stars of the show:

  • 1 pound shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined. It saves you a step (and the mess!). I usually go for medium to large.
  • 4 tablespoons butter: Yep, butter. Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness, but salted works in a pinch.
  • 4 cloves garlic: Freshly minced, please! None of that jarred stuff, it just doesn’t have the same punch. Four cloves sounds like a lot, but it mellows out beautifully.
  • 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth: This is for deglazing and building that glorious sauce. A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is perfect, or just use your favorite chicken broth.
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is key! It brings a bright, zesty finish that cuts through the richness.
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: For a pop of color and fresh flavor. If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can skip it or use a tiny pinch of dried, but fresh really makes it sing.
  • Salt and pepper to taste: Because even the simplest dishes need a little seasoning love!

How to Prepare Garlic Butter Shrimp: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get this shrimp party started! Making this garlic butter shrimp couldn’t be simpler, and honestly, that’s half the magic. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have an amazing meal on the table faster than you can say “dinner is served!” For an extra kick, you could even add a tiny bit of homemade chili garlic sauce if you’re feeling adventurous!

Sautéing the Garlic for Flavorful Shrimp Recipes

First things first, grab a big skillet – a nice wide one is perfect. Melt that lovely butter over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your minced garlic. You just want to cook it for about a minute until it smells absolutely divine, but be careful not to let it burn! Burnt garlic is a one-way ticket to bitterness, and nobody wants that in their shrimp recipe.

Cooking the Shrimp to Perfection

Now for the stars of the show! Add your peeled and deveined shrimp right into that garlicky butter. Give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. They cook UP SO FAST, seriously. Just a couple of minutes per side, until they turn lovely and pink and opaque. If they start curling into a tight ‘C’, they’re just about done. Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery, and we’re aiming for tender perfection here!

Close-up of succulent garlic butter shrimp sizzling in a pan, garnished with fresh parsley. Part of our shrimp recipes collection.

Creating the Luscious Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the shrimp are perfectly cooked, it’s time for the sauce! Pour in your white wine or chicken broth, followed by that bright lemon juice. Let it bubble away for just about a minute. While it’s simmering, use your spoon to scrape up any tasty little browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan – that’s where all the extra flavor is hiding! This step turns simple sizzling shrimp into a restaurant-worthy dish.

Close-up of succulent garlic butter shrimp cooked in a skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.

Finishing Touches for Your Shrimp Recipes

The grand finale! Stir in your fresh chopped parsley. It adds a beautiful burst of green and a lovely fresh aroma. Give it a quick stir to distribute that gorgeous parsley. And that’s it! Serve it up immediately while it’s hot and the sauce is lusciously melted. This recipe is best enjoyed right away!

Close-up of juicy garlic butter shrimp in a skillet, garnished with fresh parsley. A delicious shrimp recipe.

Tips for the Best Shrimp Recipes

You’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the ingredients, but how do you make this garlic butter shrimp truly sing? It’s all about those little tweaks, the things I’ve learned over years of making this dish. Don’t worry, they’re super simple:

Pick the Right Shrimp: Honestly, whatever you can find is usually fine, but try to get shrimp that are roughly the same size. This means they’ll cook evenly. And for heaven’s sake, if you see those beautiful pink, cooked shrimp staring back at you from the package? Walk away! Unless you like rubbery sadness, then by all means. Go for raw, peeled, and deveined. It’s a game-changer.

Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is a biggie! If your skillet is too small or you dump in too much shrimp at once, they’ll steam instead of sear. You want that lovely little golden-brown sear on the edges. If you’re doubling the recipe, use a bigger pan or cook the shrimp in batches. Trust me on this one.

Mind the Garlic: I know I said it before, but it bears repeating! Garlic burns super fast. We want that sweet, fragrant garlic aroma, not a bitter, acrid mess. Keep an eye on it and stir it around. If it starts looking too brown, pull the pan off the heat for a second. It’s worth the extra attention.

Taste and Adjust: Before you stir in the parsley, give the sauce a quick taste. Does it need a pinch more salt? A little more pepper? Maybe another tiny squeeze of lemon for brightness? This is your chance to make it perfect for *your* palate. You’re the boss of your shrimp recipe!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Shrimp Recipes

Okay, let’s talk about these ingredients because a few little tweaks can make this garlic butter shrimp recipe work even better for you! So, about that liquid – white wine is fantastic here because it adds a lovely depth, but if you’re not a wine person or just don’t have any, chicken broth is a perfectly fine substitute. Vegetable broth works too if you have that on hand. Just make sure it’s good quality! And for the garlic? Fresh is truly best, but if you absolutely have to use jarred minced garlic, use about half the amount because it’s often more potent.

Fresh parsley really does make a difference for that pop of color and fresh taste. But hey, if your herb garden is looking a little bare or you’re just not feeling a trip to the store for a small bunch, you can absolutely use dried parsley. Just use about 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, crumbled between your fingers, instead of the 2 tablespoons of fresh.

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Shrimp

This garlic butter shrimp is so versatile, it’s almost silly! It’s incredible on its own, but honestly, it shines even brighter when you pair it up. My absolute favorite way to serve it is with a big hunk of crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of that glorious sauce – seriously, don’t skip the bread dipping! If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, spooning it over fluffy white rice or your favorite pasta is pure comfort. It’s also fantastic tossed with stuffed shells or stirred into a creamy risotto for an extra fancy meal. And if you’re a fan of orzo, this shrimp is amazing with garlic parmesan orzo!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This garlic butter shrimp is pretty darn good the next day. Just pop any leftover shrimp into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the gentlest heat is best. I like to warm it up either in a skillet over low heat, just until it’s warmed through – be careful not to overcook it again! – or for just a minute or two in the microwave. Avoid super high heat, or you’ll end up with chewy shrimp, and that’s just sad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp Recipes

Got questions about making the best garlic butter shrimp? I totally get it! It’s simple, but a few little things can make all the difference. Here are some things folks often ask:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp is my secret weapon sometimes. Just make sure you thaw them completely before you start cooking. I usually thaw them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes, or you can pop them in the fridge the night before. Pat them super dry afterwards, though, because excess water can make them steam instead of sear, and we want that lovely little crust!

What kind of shrimp is best for this recipe?

Honestly, any decent quality raw shrimp will work beautifully here! I usually go for medium to large shrimp because they hold their shape and texture well during the quick cooking time. So whether it’s a medium, large, or jumbo shrimp, as long as they’re raw and peeled and deveined, you’re golden. It makes the whole process so much easier!

How do I prevent my shrimp from getting rubbery?

Oh, the dreaded rubbery shrimp! It’s the biggest pitfall, right? The key is simple: don’t overcook them. Shrimp cook incredibly fast, like, literally 2-3 minutes per side is usually all they need. Watch for them to turn pink and opaque, and curl into a gentle ‘C’ shape. If they start looking like a tight ‘O’, they’re probably already overdone. Work quickly and have everything else ready to go!

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While leftovers are great (see storage notes!), this dish is truly best served immediately. The shrimp are most tender and the sauce is at its prime right off the stove. If you make it ahead, the shrimp can firm up a bit when reheated. It’s still delicious, but if you can, try to do the final cooking right before serving for the absolute best texture. It’s so fast, you probably won’t even need to!

Are there other great shrimp recipes to try?

Of course! If you love this quick garlic butter shrimp, you might also enjoy other tasty options. For a totally different vibe, check out this amazing shrimp salad or if you’re looking for pasta, you can’t go wrong with garlic parmesan orzo with shrimp. There are so many ways to enjoy shrimp!

Nutritional Information for Garlic Butter Shrimp

Just a heads-up, the numbers below are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use and how much of everything you scoop onto your plate. But, this should give you a good idea of what you’re getting with a serving of this deliciousness!

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: ~250
  • Fat: ~15g
  • Saturated Fat: ~8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: ~200mg
  • Sodium: ~300mg
  • Carbohydrates: ~5g
  • Fiber: ~1g
  • Sugar: ~2g
  • Protein: ~20g

Share Your Shrimp Recipe Creations!

I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how your Garlic Butter Shrimp turned out! Did you try it over pasta, with crusty bread, or something completely new? Drop a comment below and let me know your experience, or even better, share a photo and tag me if you post it on social media! Your feedback helps other cooks (and honestly, it makes my day!).

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Close-up of juicy garlic butter shrimp, seasoned and garnished with parsley, served in a cast-iron skillet.

Garlic Butter Shrimp


  • Author: ferecipe.com
  • Total Time: 20 min
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

A quick and easy shrimp recipe with garlic and butter.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  5. Pour in white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice.
  6. Simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  7. Stir in fresh parsley.
  8. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the sauce.
  • Can be served over pasta or rice.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 200mg

Keywords: shrimp recipes, garlic shrimp, butter shrimp, quick shrimp, easy shrimp

Recipe rating