Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter
Juicy shrimp cooked in a vibrant chili-lime butter sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful seafood dish. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 18 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, fresh 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add 1 lb large shrimp, seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, push shrimp to one side and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter along with 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and butter is melted.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, tossing shrimp gently to coat in the chili-lime butter sauce. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter?
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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter?
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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Chili-Lime Butter?
Seafood quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best shrimp recipe I've tried. The lime really brightens it up.
- ★★★★★
Simple and elegant. The shrimp came out perfectly tender every time.
- ★★★★★
Made this for date night and it was a hit. The chili-lime butter is addictive.
