Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce
Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter, finished with a bright lemon parsley sauce for a fresh and flavorful seafood dish. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 18 minutes blends peeled and deveined raw shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 raw shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and begins to foam, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley; stir to coat shrimp and cook an additional 1 minute until sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with the lemon parsley butter sauce spooned over shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce?
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.
