Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon Rice

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp cooked in garlic butter served over fluffy lemon-infused rice, delivering a bright and satisfying seafood meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and just opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet and toss with garlic butter. Add 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest, stirring to coat shrimp evenly. Cook for an additional 1 minute.
  5. Step 5: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and remaining 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve shrimp over the lemon rice immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lemon Rice take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Rice?

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 Rice?

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 Rice 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 Zesty Lemon Rice?

Mediterranean seafood 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.

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