One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach
A quick and easy sautéed shrimp dish with tender spinach in a buttery garlic sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner. 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 cloves 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 and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and foaming. Add 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque, then transfer shrimp to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add 5 cups fresh baby spinach and toss with the garlic butter for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Step 3: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and the remaining 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp and spinach. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach?
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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach?
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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach 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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Spinach 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.
