Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs
Quick and bright shrimp sautéed in olive oil with garlic and finished with fresh lemon juice and herbs, perfect for a light and flavorful seafood dish. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 11 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, extra virgin olive oil, minced 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 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 extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp in a single layer. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly over the shrimp.
- Step 4: Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly opaque, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully opaque.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from heat, drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over shrimp, and toss gently to coat.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs 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, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs?
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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs?
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, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs 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, Lemon, and Fresh Herbs?
Seafood quick meals 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.
