Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon Zest
Succulent shrimp pan-seared in garlic butter and finished with bright lemon zest for a simple yet flavorful seafood dish. This seafood ready in about 11 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 2, 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
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 12 oz large shrimp and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and edges start to crisp.
- Step 5: Flip the shrimp and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked and opaque.
- Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tsp fresh lemon zest and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, coating the shrimp.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon Zest 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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon Zest?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Butter and 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 should I serve with Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon Zest?
Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.
