Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon
This quick shrimp dish features tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and brightened with fresh lemon juice, a seafood favorite for busy weeknights. This american-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 10 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 180 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
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted and bubbling, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring to get a slight sear.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they turn opaque and curl into a C-shape.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, tossing gently to coat.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top and serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 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 Zesty 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 Zesty 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 Zesty 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.
Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon 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.
