Sautéed Gulf Shrimp with Citrus Butter and Garlic

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

Tender gulf shrimp sautéed with garlic and finished in a bright citrus butter sauce, perfect for a quick seafood dinner. This seafood ready in about 17 minutes pairs peeled and deveined gulf 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 7 min Serves 4 Seafood cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined gulf shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without stirring to get a slight sear.
  2. Step 2: Flip the shrimp and add 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for another 2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp fresh orange juice, stirring gently to melt the butter and combine the citrus juices, cooking for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp. Toss gently to coat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Butter and Garlic?

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 Butter and Garlic?

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 Butter and Garlic 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 Butter and Garlic?

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.