Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp
Plump shrimp seared in butter and garlic, finished with a splash of lemon and fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality weeknight meal. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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 shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat shrimp dry and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1.5 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 2 tbsp butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then squeeze in 1 tbsp lemon juice. Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 1 more minute until heated through. Stir in chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp?
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 shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp?
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 Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Seafood's Best Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp?
Seafood 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
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
