Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed with fragrant garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of chili for a vibrant and spicy seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant and lightly golden but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp in a single layer, sprinkle with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until the bottom side turns pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked and curled.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves, letting residual heat wilt the basil.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes?
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 Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes 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 Fresh Basil and Chili Flakes?
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.
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