Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick sautéed shrimp in a bright lemon-butter sauce with garlic and fresh parsley, ideal for a light yet flavorful dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 13 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp. Toss gently to coat and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley take to make?

Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 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 Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley?

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 Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley 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 Lemon-Butter Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Parsley?

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.

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