One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A quick and effortless shrimp dish sautéed in garlic butter with fresh spinach and bright lemon zest, perfect for a simple yet flavorful dinner. This seafood recipe (low carb), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs 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 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted and bubbling, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, stirring gently.
3. Step 3: Toss in 4 cups fresh baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 30 seconds until the flavors meld and the sauce lightly coats the shrimp and spinach.