Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Cilantro Lime Butter
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and chili flakes, finished with a zesty cilantro lime butter that adds freshness and heat. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 11 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn opaque and pink with slightly crisp edges.
- Step 3: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in remaining 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro until the butter melts and coats the shrimp evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Cilantro Lime Butter take to make?
Total time is about 11 minutes (5 min prep + 6 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, Chili, and Cilantro Lime 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Cilantro Lime 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Cilantro Lime 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Chili, and Cilantro Lime Butter?
Latin American 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.
