Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
Tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served over spiralized zucchini noodles for a quick keto stir-fry. This asian fusion-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, zucchini noodles, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 8 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 cups zucchini noodles
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 cups zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still firm.
- Step 4: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, add 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, tossing everything together to coat and warm through for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
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 zucchini noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
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 Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles 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.
Is Stir-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
