Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Butter Sauce
Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in a fragrant garlic and lemon butter sauce, perfect for a light, flavorful seafood dinner. This mediterranean-inspired father’s day ready in about 17 minutes pairs large 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 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the garlic is fragrant and the shrimp are cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, swirling the pan until the butter melts and coats the shrimp in a glossy sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the flavorful butter sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Butter Sauce 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Butter Sauce?
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 Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon 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 Lemon 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.
What goes well with Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon Butter Sauce?
Mediterranean father’s day 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This shrimp was perfect for Father's Day dinner! The garlic and lemon butter sauce was bright and flavorful.
- ★★★★★
A great recipe that impressed my dad. The sauce was rich and the shrimp cooked perfectly.
- ★★★★★
My husband loved the shrimp. It was so easy and elegant for a special meal.
