Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Rice
Succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served over fluffy lemon parsley rice, offering a bright and savory seafood experience. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 30 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 350 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 2 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: While the rice cooks, heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and bubbling. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz large peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until fully opaque and cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice into the skillet with shrimp, tossing to coat evenly and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork, then gently fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Serve the garlic butter shrimp over the bed of lemon parsley rice, spooning any pan juices over the top for extra flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 Lemon Parsley 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 Lemon Parsley 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 Lemon Parsley Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Lemon Parsley Rice?
Seafood quick meals 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.
