Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Parsley and Lemon

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

Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter with fresh parsley and a bright squeeze of lemon for a simple seafood delight. This international-inspired seafood (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 11 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 210 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.

★ 4.2 (11 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 International cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown.
  2. Step 2: Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp seasoned with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on the first side until pink and edges curl.
  3. Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through. If using, sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes now.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss to coat shrimp in the zesty garlic butter sauce before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Parsley and Lemon 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 Parsley and Lemon?

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 Parsley 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 Zesty Parsley 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.

Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zesty Parsley and Lemon 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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