Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon Zest

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

Tender shrimp cooked quickly in garlic butter with fresh spinach and a hint of lemon zest for a bright, flavorful dish. This international-inspired seafood (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 18 minutes pairs large shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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.

★ 4.4 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 International cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute until spinach wilts and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately, spooning the garlic butter sauce over shrimp and spinach.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon Zest 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 Zest?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and 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 Spinach and Lemon Zest 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.

Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Lemon Zest low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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