Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lime and Cilantro
Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter and finished with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro for a bright, flavorful seafood dish. This seafood ready in about 11 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute 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 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until edges turn pink and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat, then immediately stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, tossing gently to coat the shrimp in the bright, buttery sauce.
- Step 5: Serve shrimp hot over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lime and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 11 minutes (5 min prep + 6 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 Lime and Cilantro?
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 Zesty Lime and Cilantro?
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 Lime and Cilantro 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 should I serve with Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Lime and Cilantro?
Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.
