Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice
Succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served over fragrant coconut-infused jasmine rice for a comforting, island-inspired meal. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare coconut rice by cooking 2 cups jasmine rice with 1/2 cup coconut milk and 1 cup water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender; fluff with a fork and stir in 1 tsp salt and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and curled.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice to the shrimp and garlic butter sauce.
- Step 5: Serve the garlic butter shrimp over the warm coconut rice, garnishing with extra cilantro if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice?
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 Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice?
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 Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice 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 Butter Shrimp with Coconut Rice?
Caribbean 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.