Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed in a bright garlic lemon butter sauce that’s perfect for a quick seafood dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 11 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 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
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb large shrimp and season with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 2 minutes without moving until pink on one side.
- Step 3: Flip the shrimp and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter along with 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook for another 2 minutes while stirring the garlic gently until fragrant and the shrimp are opaque.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss to coat and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce 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 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 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 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 Lemon Butter Sauce?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit at my dinner party! The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the sauce had just the right balance of garlic and lemon.
- ★★★★★
The best shrimp recipe I've tried. Served it with rice and the whole family asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
So simple and quick for a weeknight dinner. The garlic and lemon flavors really shone through.
