Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic-Chili Oil and Fresh Basil
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed in a fragrant garlic-chili oil with fresh basil for a spicy, aromatic seafood dish. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 14 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, salt, black pepper 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/3 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp and season evenly with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without stirring, until the edges begin to turn pink and slightly crisp.
- Step 4: Flip shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until just opaque and cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and toss shrimp with 1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic-Chili Oil and Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 14 minutes (8 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 Oil and Fresh Basil?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic-Chili Oil and Fresh Basil?
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 Oil and Fresh Basil 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 Oil and Fresh Basil?
General 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.
