One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon
A quick, vibrant shrimp dinner sautéed in garlic butter with fresh spinach and bright lemon zest for a 30-minute meal. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 15 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 210 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 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, to the skillet in a single layer and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink edges appear.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and add 4 cups fresh baby spinach, stirring gently to wilt the spinach and cook the shrimp through, about 2 more minutes.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Toss everything together to coat evenly and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon?
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 with Spinach and Lemon?
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 Spinach and Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon?
Seafood 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.
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