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Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp is a healthy, flavorful 15 minute seafood recipe. Shrimp is skillet cooked, then perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon and a hint of spice for an easy and tasty dinner.

Summer makes me crave seafood that’s fresh and flavorful. This Lemon Butter Tilapia is another quick meal idea to try after you make today’s shrimp recipe! Try our Sheet Pan Salmon recipe for a delicous meal with easy clean up!

Garlic butter shrimp cooked in a skillet and served with a wooden spoon.

Why This Dinner is Best

My favorite thing about shrimp is how fast and easy it is to make. Just a few minutes over heat for juicy tender perfection.

  • It cooks quickly in the skillet.
  • No special equipment required.
  • Simple ingredients.
  • Keto friendly recipe.
  • Fresh, flavorful succulent shrimp!

This Garlic Butter Shrimp is perfect because it lets the natural flavor of the shrimp shine. No fancy sauces needed, just a little butter, garlic and lemon for a delicious and hassle free seafood dinner.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make garlic butter shrimp.
  • Shrimp – I prefer fresh shrimp but frozen works too. Thaw frozen shrimp before adding it to the skillet.
  • Butter – Butter is used to cook the shrimp and to create the base for a light sauce.
  • Garlic- Use a full four cloves of fresh, minced garlic for the ultimate fragrant garlicky flavor.
  • Lemon – Freshly squeezed juice brightens up the sauce and elevates the flavor of the shrimp with acidity.
  • Red pepper flakes – You’ll love the little kick of heat it adds to the garlic shrimp.

Tips & Tricks

Shrimp cooking in a black skillet.
  • Do not overcook. The shrimp is done when it turns a pale pink color. Cooking too long results in shrimp that’s tough and rubbery—no thank you!
  • Serving suggestions. We love eating this shrimp with a side of cauliflower rice and roasted vegetables. You could also toss it with some zoodles!
  • Garnish with parsley. Freshly chopped parsley adds the perfect touch of color and freshness.

Recipe FAQs

How do I thaw frozen shrimp?

Most packaged frozen shrimp will come with thawing instructions. One tried and true way to quickly thaw shrimp is to run it under cold water for several minutes. You can also thaw shrimp in the refrigerator for several hours, or overnight. Do not thaw shrimp at room temperature. This poses food safety risks.

How do I store leftover shrimp?

Garlic Butter Shrimp is best enjoyed right away. Leftovers don’t have quite the same WOW factor, but they will keep fine in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Make sure to keep it chilled in an airtight container.

What is deveining?

Deveining is the process of removing the long black strip (“vein”) along the back of a shrimp before cooking it. It’s not actually the shrimp’s vein you’re removing (even though we call it that). It’s the digestive tract. I don’t know which is less appealing, vein or digestive tract, but we’re removing it either way. I always buy my shrimp already peeled and deveined, so I don’t have to mess with it. It makes it much easier to prepare shrimp whenever the craving hits.

Is shrimp healthy?

Shrimp is high in protein and much lower in calories than meat and other seafood dishes. It’s also high in B12 vitamins and other good-for-you micronutrients. Its nutritional punch, along with its delicious flavor when properly prepared, makes it a popular choice for health conscious cooks.

Is this shrimp recipe keto?

Yes, this shrimp in garlic butter sauce is low in net carbs with no flour or sugars added. 100% keto approved!

Shrimp served on a plate with asparagus and cauliflower rice.

More Low Carb Dinner Recipes

Garlic Butter Shrimp is a healthy, flavorful 15 minute seafood recipe. Shrimp is skillet cooked, then perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon and a hint of spice for an easy and tasty dinner.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Garlic Butter Shrimp is a healthy, flavorful 15 minute seafood recipe. Shrimp is skillet cooked, then perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon and a hint of spice for an easy and tasty dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced (about 2 Tablespoons)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Add in shrimp and cook about 3-5 minutes, until shrimp is pink in color.
  2. Reduce heat to low, add in remaining butter, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley.

Notes

  • I prefer fresh shrimp, but you can use frozen. Thaw first according to package (I primarily thaw shrimp by running cold water over it for several minutes).
  • Serve with cauliflower rice and roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 414Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 420mgSodium: 1930mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 39g

Whether you’re a seafood fanatic or giving it a try for the first time, you’ll love this easy, succulent Garlic Butter Shrimp!

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