Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest
Plump shrimp seared in garlic butter and brightened with fresh lemon zest, finished with fragrant herbs for a quick, elegant keto dinner. This seafood-inspired seafood (low-carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined Shrimp, Olive oil, Butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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, peeled and deveined Shrimp
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1/2, zested and juiced Lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 12 oz shrimp dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Melt 2 tbsp butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet with the lemon juice and zest, tossing to coat. Cook for 1 minute until heated through and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Zest?
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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest?
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 Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Zest low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
