Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp Tasty and Easy Recipe

July 5, 2025 by Amelia

If you love a quick, delicious meal, you’re in for a treat! My Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp recipe packs bold flavors in just minutes. With simple ingredients like fresh shrimp, garlic, and lemon, this dish is easy enough for any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this recipe impresses every time. Let’s dive into this tasty dish that elevates dinner with minimal effort!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp

– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

For the best garlic butter lemon shrimp, start with fresh shrimp. You want them large and peeled. This makes cooking and eating easier. The butter brings rich flavor, and the minced garlic adds a kick.

Additional Flavor Enhancers

– 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

– Fresh parsley, salt, and pepper

The lemon zest adds a bright note. The juice balances the dish with acidity. Red pepper flakes give a nice heat that you can adjust. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper.

Serving Suggestions

– Lemon wedges for serving

Lemon wedges are a must when serving this dish. They give an extra burst of flavor. You can squeeze them over the shrimp right before eating. This makes every bite even better. For the full recipe, check out the complete guide.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

1. Patting the shrimp dry

Start by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them sear well. If they’re wet, they may steam instead of getting that lovely golden color.

2. Seasoning with salt and pepper

Next, sprinkle some salt and pepper over the shrimp. This simple step enhances the shrimp flavor. Just a pinch will do, as the garlic and lemon will add more taste.

Cooking Process

1. Melting butter and sautéing garlic

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic. Sauté it for about one minute. Keep stirring to stop it from burning.

2. Adding shrimp and cooking until pink

Now, increase the heat to medium-high. Add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes. They are done when they turn pink and opaque.

3. Incorporating lemon juice for flavor

After the shrimp is cooked, add the lemon juice. Stir well to coat the shrimp. This zesty flavor makes the dish shine. Cook for another minute to blend those flavors.

Serving the Dish

1. Garnishing with parsley

Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.

2. Serving with lemon wedges

Serve the shrimp right away with lemon wedges on the side. This extra burst of citrus makes each bite more delicious.

For the full recipe, check the instructions above. Enjoy your Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp!

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Shrimp

To get the best sear on your shrimp, dry them well with paper towels. This step keeps them from steaming. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper before cooking. Use medium-high heat in the skillet. This heat ensures a nice golden color. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink. You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice. If you want more heat, add a bit more. For less spice, use less.

Flavor Customization

Herbs can change the taste of your dish. Try using fresh herbs like thyme or basil for a unique twist. You can even mix herbs for more depth. If you want a lighter version, you can substitute butter with olive oil. This change keeps great flavor while cutting some calories. Just use the same amount of olive oil as you would butter.

Pairing Options

To make this meal complete, pair it with sides like rice or a fresh salad. These sides balance the rich flavors of the shrimp. For a special touch, a glass of white wine pairs well. Choose a crisp wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. These wines enhance the lemon flavor in the dish. For more details, check the Full Recipe.

Variations

Seafood Alternatives

You can switch the shrimp for scallops or crab. Scallops cook fast. They bring a sweet taste. Crab adds a rich flavor to the dish. If you want a vegetarian option, use mushrooms. They soak up the garlic butter well and add a nice texture.

Pasta and Rice Combos

Serve the shrimp over linguine or rice for a hearty meal. Linguine pairs well with the sauce. Rice absorbs the garlic butter and lemon flavor. You can also make a risotto-style dish. Just add broth and stir it in while cooking the rice.

Adding Extra Vegetables

Incorporate spinach or cherry tomatoes for added nutrition. Spinach wilts down nicely and adds color. Cherry tomatoes burst with flavor as they cook. You can also use seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers. They add unique tastes and textures to the dish.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp, store any leftovers in the fridge. Place the shrimp in an airtight container. This helps keep them fresh and tasty. You can store them for up to three days. When you reheat, do it gently. Use a skillet over low heat. This way, the shrimp won’t become rubbery.

Freezing Instructions

You can also freeze this shrimp dish if you want to save it for later. First, let the shrimp cool completely. Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. You can freeze them for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a skillet on low heat for the best taste.

Shelf Life

For the best flavor and safety, eat the shrimp within three days if stored in the fridge. If frozen, consume them within two months. Look out for any off smells or a slimy texture. These signs mean the shrimp have spoiled, and it’s best to discard them. Enjoy your dish with confidence!

FAQs

How long does it take to cook Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp?

Cooking Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp takes only about 15 minutes. You need 10 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to cook. First, you pat the shrimp dry and season them. Then, melt the butter and sauté the garlic. Finally, cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just remember to thaw them first. The best way to thaw shrimp is to place them in the fridge overnight. If you’re short on time, you can run them under cold water for about 10 minutes. Pat them dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Cook them just like fresh shrimp for great results.

What can I serve with Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp?

Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp pairs well with many sides. You can serve it over a bed of rice or pasta for a filling meal. A fresh green salad adds a nice crunch. You might also enjoy it with steamed veggies or garlic bread. For a complete meal, consider a crisp white wine on the side. Try the full recipe for more details!

Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp is simple to make. You need fresh shrimp, garlic, and lemon for a tasty dish. We covered preparation, cooking steps, and tips to enhance flavors. You can also customize it with different herbs or side dishes.

In conclusion, this dish is versatile and easy to enjoy. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try new versions, you’ll impress everyone at the table. Happy cooking!

$- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced For the best garlic butter lemon shrimp, start with fresh shrimp. You want them large and peeled. This makes cooking and eating easier. The butter brings rich flavor, and the minced garlic adds a kick. - 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Fresh parsley, salt, and pepper The lemon zest adds a bright note. The juice balances the dish with acidity. Red pepper flakes give a nice heat that you can adjust. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper. - Lemon wedges for serving Lemon wedges are a must when serving this dish. They give an extra burst of flavor. You can squeeze them over the shrimp right before eating. This makes every bite even better. For the full recipe, check out the complete guide. 1. Patting the shrimp dry Start by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them sear well. If they're wet, they may steam instead of getting that lovely golden color. 2. Seasoning with salt and pepper Next, sprinkle some salt and pepper over the shrimp. This simple step enhances the shrimp flavor. Just a pinch will do, as the garlic and lemon will add more taste. 1. Melting butter and sautéing garlic In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic. Sauté it for about one minute. Keep stirring to stop it from burning. 2. Adding shrimp and cooking until pink Now, increase the heat to medium-high. Add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes. They are done when they turn pink and opaque. 3. Incorporating lemon juice for flavor After the shrimp is cooked, add the lemon juice. Stir well to coat the shrimp. This zesty flavor makes the dish shine. Cook for another minute to blend those flavors. 1. Garnishing with parsley Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish. 2. Serving with lemon wedges Serve the shrimp right away with lemon wedges on the side. This extra burst of citrus makes each bite more delicious. For the full recipe, check the instructions above. Enjoy your Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp! To get the best sear on your shrimp, dry them well with paper towels. This step keeps them from steaming. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper before cooking. Use medium-high heat in the skillet. This heat ensures a nice golden color. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink. You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice. If you want more heat, add a bit more. For less spice, use less. Herbs can change the taste of your dish. Try using fresh herbs like thyme or basil for a unique twist. You can even mix herbs for more depth. If you want a lighter version, you can substitute butter with olive oil. This change keeps great flavor while cutting some calories. Just use the same amount of olive oil as you would butter. To make this meal complete, pair it with sides like rice or a fresh salad. These sides balance the rich flavors of the shrimp. For a special touch, a glass of white wine pairs well. Choose a crisp wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. These wines enhance the lemon flavor in the dish. For more details, check the Full Recipe. {{image_2}} You can switch the shrimp for scallops or crab. Scallops cook fast. They bring a sweet taste. Crab adds a rich flavor to the dish. If you want a vegetarian option, use mushrooms. They soak up the garlic butter well and add a nice texture. Serve the shrimp over linguine or rice for a hearty meal. Linguine pairs well with the sauce. Rice absorbs the garlic butter and lemon flavor. You can also make a risotto-style dish. Just add broth and stir it in while cooking the rice. Incorporate spinach or cherry tomatoes for added nutrition. Spinach wilts down nicely and adds color. Cherry tomatoes burst with flavor as they cook. You can also use seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers. They add unique tastes and textures to the dish. After enjoying your Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp, store any leftovers in the fridge. Place the shrimp in an airtight container. This helps keep them fresh and tasty. You can store them for up to three days. When you reheat, do it gently. Use a skillet over low heat. This way, the shrimp won’t become rubbery. You can also freeze this shrimp dish if you want to save it for later. First, let the shrimp cool completely. Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. You can freeze them for up to two months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a skillet on low heat for the best taste. For the best flavor and safety, eat the shrimp within three days if stored in the fridge. If frozen, consume them within two months. Look out for any off smells or a slimy texture. These signs mean the shrimp have spoiled, and it’s best to discard them. Enjoy your dish with confidence! Cooking Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp takes only about 15 minutes. You need 10 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to cook. First, you pat the shrimp dry and season them. Then, melt the butter and sauté the garlic. Finally, cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just remember to thaw them first. The best way to thaw shrimp is to place them in the fridge overnight. If you're short on time, you can run them under cold water for about 10 minutes. Pat them dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Cook them just like fresh shrimp for great results. Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp pairs well with many sides. You can serve it over a bed of rice or pasta for a filling meal. A fresh green salad adds a nice crunch. You might also enjoy it with steamed veggies or garlic bread. For a complete meal, consider a crisp white wine on the side. Try the full recipe for more details! Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp is simple to make. You need fresh shrimp, garlic, and lemon for a tasty dish. We covered preparation, cooking steps, and tips to enhance flavors. You can also customize it with different herbs or side dishes. In conclusion, this dish is versatile and easy to enjoy. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try new versions, you'll impress everyone at the table. Happy cooking!$