Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
A quick and healthy shrimp dish cooked in garlic butter served over fresh zucchini noodles for a low-carb dinner. This american-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, zucchini noodles, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cups zucchini noodles
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add 4 cups zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
- Step 4: Return the shrimp to the skillet with the zucchini noodles, drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and toss everything together for 1 minute to blend flavors. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 with Zucchini Noodles?
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 zucchini noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
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 with Zucchini Noodles 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.
Is Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
