Sautéed Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic Butter

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

Tender Gulf shrimp sautéed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and orange zest for a bright, savory finish. This seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs Gulf 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 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 4 Seafood cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and foaming. Add 1 pound peeled and deveined Gulf shrimp seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and the remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic Butter 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 Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic Butter?

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 Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic 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 Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic 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 Gulf Shrimp with Citrus and Garlic Butter?

Seafood 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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