Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet
Succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served over fluffy rice in a quick, flavorful skillet dinner with minimal ingredients. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs uncooked long grain white rice, water, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped (optional) fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice and 1/2 tsp salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and transfer to serving plates. Spoon garlic butter shrimp over the rice and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Skillet?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
