Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Lime Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quickly sautéed shrimp bathed in a zesty, buttery garlic lime sauce perfect for weeknight meals or light dinners. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 11 minutes pairs large shrimp, unsalted butter, 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp in a single layer and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté shrimp for 2 minutes on one side until pink edges appear.
  2. Step 2: Flip shrimp and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter along with 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook for another 2 minutes, spooning the melted butter and garlic over shrimp until they turn opaque and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Toss shrimp gently to coat in the garlic lime butter sauce and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Lime 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 Lime 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 Lime 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 Lime 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 Lime Butter Sauce?

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.

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