The Best Lemon-Garlic Butter Shrimp
Quick and elegant shrimp sautéed in a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce, perfect over steamed rice for a dish that’s the best of the best. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, butter, juiced and zested lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1, juiced and zested lemon
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 2: Add 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Step 3: Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the shrimp, then add 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Cook for 1 more minute until the sauce is glossy and the shrimp are heated through.
- Step 4: Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste, then serve immediately over steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Lemon-Garlic Butter Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 The Best Lemon-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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Lemon-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 The Best Lemon-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 The Best Lemon-Garlic Butter Shrimp?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many seafood recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
