By Emma Carter
This easy garlic butter shrimp is the 15-minute dinner I make when I want something fast that still tastes special. Juicy shrimp, a rich lemon garlic butter sauce, and one skillet — that’s the whole recipe. It’s one of my favourite shrimp recipes for busy weeknights, and it works just as well over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread for soaking up every drop of sauce.
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp (15 Minutes)
Description
Easy garlic butter shrimp in 15 minutes — juicy shrimp in a lemon garlic butter sauce. One skillet, simple ingredients, perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep the shrimp — pat very dry with paper towels, season with salt, pepper, paprika.
- Heat the skillet — melt 1 tbsp butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams.
- Sear the shrimp — single layer, 2–3 minutes per side, until pink, opaque, curled into a loose “C”; a tight “O” means overcooked; transfer to a plate.
- Make the garlic butter sauce — reduce heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp butter, then garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 30 seconds until fragrant, do not let garlic brown.
- Finish — stir in lemon juice and zest, return shrimp to skillet, toss 30 seconds to coat.
- Serve — sprinkle parsley, serve right away with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Frozen shrimp works perfectly — thaw overnight in fridge or under cold running water 10–15 minutes, then pat very dry. Do not overcook — pull as soon as pink and opaque. Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce, plus salad or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories
- 210kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11g
- 17%
- Sodium 180mg
- 8%
- Total Carbohydrate 2g
- 1%
- Protein 24g
- 48%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in 15 minutes, start to finish
- One skillet, minimal cleanup
- Only a handful of pantry ingredients
- Works for weeknights, date night, or guests
Ingredients — how to choose them
- Shrimp — large shrimp (31–40 count) are the sweet spot, buy peeled and deveined; fresh or frozen both work, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen.
- Butter and garlic — real butter makes the sauce; 4 cloves fresh garlic, not jarred.
- Lemon — both juice and zest; zest makes the sauce taste bright.
How to make garlic butter shrimp
- Prep the shrimp — pat very dry with paper towels, season with salt, pepper, paprika.
- Heat the skillet — melt 1 tbsp butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams.
- Sear the shrimp — single layer, 2–3 minutes per side, until pink, opaque, curled into a loose “C”; a tight “O” means overcooked; transfer to a plate.
- Make the garlic butter sauce — reduce heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp butter, then garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 30 seconds until fragrant, do not let garlic brown.
- Finish — stir in lemon juice and zest, return shrimp to skillet, toss 30 seconds to coat.
- Serve — sprinkle parsley, serve right away with lemon wedges.
How to tell when shrimp are done
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C”. If they curl into a tight “O”, they are overcooked.
What to serve with garlic butter shrimp
- Steamed rice or garlic butter pasta
- Crusty bread
- Roasted asparagus, green beans, or a simple salad
- Over grits for a Southern-style dinner
Storage and reheating
Fridge up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat 1–2 minutes, just until warm; do not microwave on high. Freezer not recommended once cooked.
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp? — Yes, thaw overnight in the fridge or under cold running water, then pat very dry.
How long do you cook shrimp in a skillet? — About 2–3 minutes per side over medium-high heat, until pink and opaque.
What size shrimp is best? — Large shrimp, 31–40 count, peeled and deveined.
Can I make this dairy-free? — Yes, swap butter for olive oil or dairy-free butter.
What goes well with garlic butter shrimp? — Rice, pasta, crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or a salad.
If you love quick shrimp dinners, try the Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Garlic Butter.
