Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter
Plump shrimp sautéed in a vibrant lemon-herb butter sauce, inspired by the coastal flavors of Half Moon Bay's fresh seafood traditions. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (454g), peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb (454g) peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter; once melted, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic turns golden.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet, then add 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped parsley. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and coats shrimp evenly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter?
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 Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter 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 Half-Moon Bay Shrimp with Lemon-Herb Butter?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
