Best-Kept Garlic Butter Shrimp

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

Plump shrimp seared in a fragrant garlic-butter sauce with lemon and parsley, a simple yet exceptional dish that always impresses. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined) dry with paper towels; season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1.5 minutes per side until pink and opaque; transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Step 3: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
4. Step 4: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into the skillet, then stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat; cook for 1 minute more until heated through and glossy.