Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
Tender shrimp quickly sautéed in a garlic butter sauce with fresh spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes for a vibrant and healthy dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 20 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 280 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 4 cups fresh baby spinach. Cook for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and vegetables. Toss gently and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
Mediterranean 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.
Related recipes
Sheet Pan Garlicky Shrimp and Roasted Vegetables
Lazy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon and Fresh Parsley
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic-Butter and Lemon Zest
Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Parsley
