Sautéed Garlic and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce
Tender shrimp quickly cooked in garlic-infused butter and fresh herbs, finished with a bright splash of lemon juice. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs large shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 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 unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp, optional red pepper flakes
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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 heat until melted and foamy. Add 4 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 in a single layer. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and optional 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring until shrimp edges turn pink.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook an additional 2 minutes until opaque and just cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley, 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil, and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Toss gently to coat shrimp in the buttery lemon herb sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce 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 Garlic and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce?
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 Garlic and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce?
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 and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce 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 and Herb Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce?
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.
