One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest
Succulent shrimp sautéed in a simple garlic butter sauce with bright lemon zest, ready in minutes for a quick, flavorful meal. This general-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 180 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, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts and begins to bubble.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Step 3: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything gently to coat and cook for an additional 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest?
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 with Lemon Zest?
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 with Lemon Zest 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-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest?
General 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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