Garlic Butter Shrimp (Quick, Juicy, Crowd Favorite)

This garlic butter shrimp recipe is fast, flavorful, and packed with rich buttery garlic flavor in every bite. Ready in about 15 minutes, this easy seafood dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or an impressive appetizer that tastes restaurant-quality with minimal effort.

Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 8–10 min | Total Time: 15 min

Why This Works:

• Shrimp cooks incredibly fast, making this recipe perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
• Garlic, butter, and lemon create a rich restaurant-style sauce with simple ingredients.
• This recipe pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, vegetables, or crusty bread.
• Minimal prep and cook time with maximum flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnish: parsley and red pepper flakes

Kitchen Tools Needed:

• Large skillet
• Garlic press or knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs or spatula

Prep:

1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
2. Mince garlic
3. Season shrimp lightly with salt and pepper
4. Prepare parsley garnish if using

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and lightly golden.
3. Reduce heat slightly and add butter and minced garlic. Stir continuously for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in lemon juice and toss shrimp in the garlic butter sauce.
5. Remove from heat, garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes:

• Do not overcook shrimp or they can become rubbery quickly.
• Fresh garlic gives the best flavor.
• Add extra red pepper flakes for heat.
• Great served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
• Frozen shrimp works well if fully thawed and dried first.

Goes Great With:

• Garlic bread
• Alfredo pasta
• White rice
• Roasted vegetables
• Caesar salad
• Air fryer asparagus

Garlic Butter Shrimp

This garlic butter shrimp is buttery, garlicky, juicy, and packed with flavor while staying incredibly easy to make. It’s a fast seafood recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, appetizers, or quick high-protein meals.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: dinner, Main Course, seafood

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnish: parsley and red pepper flakes

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Garlic Press
• Chef's knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring spoon
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

Prep

1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
2. Mince garlic
3. Season shrimp lightly with salt and pepper
4. Prepare parsley garnish if using

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and lightly golden.
3. Reduce heat slightly and add butter and minced garlic. Stir continuously for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in lemon juice and toss shrimp in the garlic butter sauce.
5. Remove from heat, garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

• Do not overcook shrimp or they can become rubbery quickly.
• Fresh garlic gives the best flavor.
• Add extra red pepper flakes for heat.
• Great served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
• Frozen shrimp works well if fully thawed and dried first.