Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce

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

Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter, finished with a bright lemon parsley sauce for a fresh and flavorful seafood dish. This quick recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs raw shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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). 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 Sauce?

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 raw shrimp from drying out.

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 should I serve with Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Sauce?

Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.

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