Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce

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

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Fresh shrimp sautéed with garlic and served in a vibrant herb sauce inspired by the fresh waters of San Francisco Bay. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, garlic cloves, minced, olive oil 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb large shrimp, seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque with lightly crisp edges.
  3. Step 3: While shrimp cooks, combine 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 2 tbsp chopped tarragon, and 2 tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl.
  4. Step 4: Once shrimp are cooked, add 2 tbsp water to the skillet and pour in the herb mixture, stirring for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce?

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 San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce?

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 San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce 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 San Francisco Bay Herb Sauce?

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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