Pan-Seared Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon

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

Succulent Gulf shrimp pan-seared in a garlic butter sauce with a bright hint of lemon, perfect for a quick seafood dinner. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs pound Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined, tablespoons 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 pound of Gulf shrimp dry with paper towels. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Sear for 2 minutes on each side until pink and opaque with slightly crispy edges.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, push shrimp to one side, add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the empty side of the pan. Sauté garlic in butter for 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
  4. Step 4: Stir garlic butter and shrimp together, then add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Toss to coat and cook for 30 seconds more until sauce thickens slightly and coats shrimp.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter 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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon?

Southern American 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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