Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles

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

Light and flavorful garlic shrimp sautéed in lemon butter, served over tender zucchini noodles for a fresh, low-carb dish. This american-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 20 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 280 calories and feeds 3, 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: 10 min Serves 3 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove shrimp and set aside. Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 spiralized medium zucchinis, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Toss zucchini noodles for 2-3 minutes until just tender but not soggy.
  5. Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together for 1 minute to combine and heat through.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles?

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 Shrimp with Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles?

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 Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Shrimp with Lemon Butter and Zucchini Noodles 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.

Related recipes