One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest and Asparagus
A vibrant, quick dinner featuring plump shrimp and crisp asparagus finished with a bright lemon butter sauce ready in 25 minutes. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs Shrimp, Asparagus, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz Shrimp
- 12 oz Asparagus
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 Lemon
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add 12 oz trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 3: Return the shrimp to the skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 1 minute until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest and Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 with Lemon Zest and Asparagus?
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 shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest and Asparagus?
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 with Lemon Zest and Asparagus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest and Asparagus?
American quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
One of the best one-pan meals I've made. The garlic butter sauce is rich and the lemon zest cuts through the richness perfectly.
- ★★★★★
My family loved it! The asparagus was perfectly crisp and the shrimp cooked up beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! So easy and flavorful. Will make again.
