Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon
A fast and flavorful sauté of shrimp in garlic butter with fresh spinach and a bright splash of lemon juice for a light seafood entrée. This general-inspired quick meals (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 320 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, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups, packed fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups packed fresh spinach to the skillet and stir gently for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Toss everything to combine and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon 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.
Is Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon 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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