Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick pan-seared shrimp tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce brightened with fresh lemon and parsley. This mediterranean-inspired game day (low carb) ready in about 11 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 290 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp. Season evenly with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without moving until pink and edges turn golden.
  3. Step 3: Flip shrimp and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 5 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, spooning garlic butter over shrimp until shrimp are opaque and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to coat shrimp in the bright, buttery sauce. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley take to make?

Total time is about 11 minutes (5 min prep + 6 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley?

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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley?

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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley 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.

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