Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce

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

Tender shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and fresh parsley, finished in a rich butter sauce perfect for a light dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, 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 low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 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 Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and pat dry 1 lb large shrimp, then season with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbling. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through; transfer shrimp to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet along with 4 finely minced garlic cloves and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (if using), sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is golden but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 30 seconds until the sauce is well blended.
  5. Step 5: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to coat with the garlic herb butter sauce, warming through for 1 minute before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter 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.

Is Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes