Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter

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

Succulent shrimp sautéed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 16 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 220 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without stirring to develop a golden sear.
  2. Step 2: Flip the shrimp and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter along with 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 2 more minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque and garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; cook for an additional 30 seconds until the butter sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 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 Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter?

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 Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter?

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 Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter 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 Shrimp with Fresh Herb Butter?

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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