Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shrimp sautéed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, finished with a zesty gremolata featuring fresh parsley and lemon zest for a fresh regional touch. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 250 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to prepare the gremolata. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until pink and opaque, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked.
  4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the prepared gremolata, tossing the shrimp gently to coat with the garlic butter and herb mixture. Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata?

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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata?

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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata 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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Gremolata?

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