Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-18 · Updated 2026-04-18

Quick-cooked shrimp with aromatic garlic and bright thyme for a light yet satisfying meal. This seafood-inspired whole30 (low-carb) ready in about 22 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, 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 2, 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: 12 min Serves 2 Seafood cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
3 tbsp olive oil
4, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1, cut into wedges lemon

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp in a single layer, season with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to skillet, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Step 3: Return shrimp to skillet, add fresh thyme leaves, and toss for 1 minute until heated through and fragrant. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme?

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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Fresh Thyme 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.