Sautéed Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Tender shrimp quickly cooked in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce, served over a bed of fluffy rice for an elegant yet simple seafood dish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 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 320 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
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering, about 1 minute. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb large shrimp, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and remaining 2 tbsp butter. Cook for another 1 minute, swirling butter to create a glossy sauce that coats the shrimp.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp. Serve immediately over 2 cups cooked jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce?
Mediterranean 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.
