Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Fresh Herbs

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

Tender shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh parsley and lemon zest for a bright finish. This international-inspired seafood ready in about 16 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 International cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb large shrimp and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter until foamy, about 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 cloves minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without moving, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tsp lemon zest, tossing to coat shrimp in the garlic butter sauce.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with extra parsley garnish if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Fresh Herbs 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 Butter Shrimp with Fresh Herbs?

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 Butter Shrimp with Fresh Herbs?

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 Fresh Herbs 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 Fresh Herbs?

International 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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