One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté
Tender shrimp cooked in garlic butter with fresh spinach makes a quick, flavorful dinner ready in 20 minutes. This seafood-inspired quick meals (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, seasoning with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sauté shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove from pan and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 5 cups fresh baby spinach to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and softens.
- Step 4: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan. Drizzle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over everything and toss gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately while warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté?
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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté?
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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach Sauté 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.
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