Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon
Tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with fresh spinach and bright lemon for a quick, flavorful seafood dish. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 18 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb large shrimp seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp butter and 5 oz fresh baby spinach. Sauté spinach for 2 minutes until wilted and tender. Return shrimp to skillet, add 2 tbsp lemon juice, and toss everything together for 1 minute to combine flavors and warm through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon 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 Spinach and Lemon?
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 Spinach and Lemon?
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 Spinach and Lemon 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 Spinach and Lemon?
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.
Related recipes
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon-Butter Sauce
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Charred Broccoli and Lemon Butter Sauce
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Lemon and Parsley
WiFi-Connected Garlic Butter Shrimp
One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
Pan-Roasted Gulf Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Lemon
