Looking for a quick, tasty meal that impresses? Let me share my Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet recipe with you. This dish packs big flavor with minimal effort. With just a few fresh ingredients, you'll have juicy shrimp bathed in rich garlic butter. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Let's dive into this easy and delicious meal together!

$- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - Lemon wedges for serving - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped For this garlic butter shrimp skillet, you need fresh shrimp, butter, and garlic as the main stars. The shrimp must be peeled and deveined for the best taste. Butter adds richness, while garlic gives it that lovely, savory punch. Next, you can spice things up with red pepper flakes. This adds heat, but you can adjust it as needed. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, while salt and pepper bring out all the flavors. For a nice finish, sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Lemon wedges can add extra zing when serving. This dish is quick to make and packed with flavor. Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be ready to create a meal that impresses. Just a few simple items turn into something truly special. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. First, grab a large skillet. Place it over medium heat. 2. Now, add the butter to the skillet. Let it melt completely. 3. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on the garlic. You don’t want it to burn. 4. Next, add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on one side. They should start to turn pink. 1. After the shrimp turn pink, flip them over gently. 2. Now it’s time to add flavor! Pour in the lemon juice, and sprinkle salt and pepper. Stir it all together. 3. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. The shrimp should become fully opaque when done. 1. Once the shrimp are cooked, take the skillet off the heat. 2. Stir in the fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. 3. Serve the shrimp immediately. Add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing. Enjoy your meal! - Avoid burning garlic for best flavor: When you cook garlic, keep a close eye on it. Cook it just until it smells good. If it turns brown, it gets bitter. You want that sweet garlic taste. - Adjust cooking time based on shrimp size: Shrimp cook fast. For large shrimp, cook them about 2-3 minutes on each side. If you use smaller shrimp, cut the time a bit. Always check for that nice pink color. - Pair with rice or crusty bread: This dish goes great with rice. The rice soaks up that yummy garlic butter. You can also serve it with crusty bread to dip in the sauce. - Recommended side dishes to complement the dish: A fresh salad or steamed veggies work well. They add color and balance to your meal. You could also serve it with a light pasta. Pro Tips Fresh Shrimp is Best: Whenever possible, use fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking. Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference. Start with less if you're unsure, and add more for extra heat. Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking can make them rubbery. Watch for them to turn pink and opaque for perfect results. Enhance with Citrus: For added brightness, consider adding a splash of lime juice along with the lemon. It complements the shrimp beautifully. {{image_2}} To elevate your Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet, consider adding white wine or broth. A splash of white wine creates a rich flavor. Broth adds depth and keeps the shrimp juicy. Both options enhance the dish and bring out the garlic taste. You can also experiment with different herbs. Fresh basil or dill can add unique notes to the dish. If you like a bit of zest, try tarragon or cilantro. Each herb changes the flavor and makes the meal your own. If you need gluten-free options, fear not! This dish is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to check any added ingredients, like broth or seasonings. Most brands offer gluten-free choices. For low-carb alternatives, skip the bread and serve the shrimp over zucchini noodles. You can also add more veggies, like bell peppers or spinach. This change keeps the meal light and healthy while still being tasty. Store leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps the shrimp fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to let the shrimp cool before sealing the container. This helps avoid moisture buildup, which can make your shrimp soggy. The best way to reheat shrimp is in a skillet. Heat a small amount of butter over low heat. Add the shrimp and cook until warm, about 2-3 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Place shrimp on a plate, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat for about 30 seconds. Check to make sure it's warm throughout. Avoid overcooking, as it can make shrimp tough. You can tell shrimp are fully cooked when they turn pink and opaque. The texture will also change. They should curl slightly, but not tightly. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery. Aim for 2-3 minutes on each side for large shrimp. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge or run them under cold water. This will help them cook evenly. Adjust cooking time slightly if they are still cold. You can use olive oil or vegan butter as a substitute. Both options will give a nice flavor. Olive oil will add a fruity taste, while vegan butter mimics the creaminess of regular butter. Adjust the amount to your taste. You now have a clear guide to making delicious garlic butter shrimp. We covered the main ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You learned how to enhance flavors and adjust for dietary needs. Remember to store your leftovers right and reheat them carefully. Enjoy pairing this dish with rice or bread. Keep experimenting to find your favorite twist. This simple recipe can become a staple in your kitchen. Happy cooking!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This garlic butter shrimp skillet can be prepared in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of garlic, butter, and lemon juice creates a rich and zesty flavor that complements the shrimp beautifully.
Versatile Dish: This recipe can be served over pasta, rice, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Healthy Option: Shrimp is a lean protein packed with nutrients, making this dish a healthy choice for seafood lovers.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning and Garnishes

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon wedges for serving
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For this garlic butter shrimp skillet, you need fresh shrimp, butter, and garlic as the main stars. The shrimp must be peeled and deveined for the best taste. Butter adds richness, while garlic gives it that lovely, savory punch.

Next, you can spice things up with red pepper flakes. This adds heat, but you can adjust it as needed. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, while salt and pepper bring out all the flavors. For a nice finish, sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Lemon wedges can add extra zing when serving.

This dish is quick to make and packed with flavor. Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be ready to create a meal that impresses. Just a few simple items turn into something truly special.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

1. First, grab a large skillet. Place it over medium heat.

2. Now, add the butter to the skillet. Let it melt completely.

3. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on the garlic. You don’t want it to burn.

4. Next, add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on one side. They should start to turn pink.

Cooking Process

1. After the shrimp turn pink, flip them over gently.

2. Now it’s time to add flavor! Pour in the lemon juice, and sprinkle salt and pepper. Stir it all together.

3. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. The shrimp should become fully opaque when done.

Final Touches

1. Once the shrimp are cooked, take the skillet off the heat.

2. Stir in the fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

3. Serve the shrimp immediately. Add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Tips

Avoid burning garlic for best flavor: When you cook garlic, keep a close eye on it. Cook it just until it smells good. If it turns brown, it gets bitter. You want that sweet garlic taste.
Adjust cooking time based on shrimp size: Shrimp cook fast. For large shrimp, cook them about 2-3 minutes on each side. If you use smaller shrimp, cut the time a bit. Always check for that nice pink color.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with rice or crusty bread: This dish goes great with rice. The rice soaks up that yummy garlic butter. You can also serve it with crusty bread to dip in the sauce.
Recommended side dishes to complement the dish: A fresh salad or steamed veggies work well. They add color and balance to your meal. You could also serve it with a light pasta.

Pro Tips

Fresh Shrimp is Best: Whenever possible, use fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking.
Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference. Start with less if you're unsure, and add more for extra heat.
Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking can make them rubbery. Watch for them to turn pink and opaque for perfect results.
Enhance with Citrus: For added brightness, consider adding a splash of lime juice along with the lemon. It complements the shrimp beautifully.

Variations

Flavor Enhancements

To elevate your Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet, consider adding white wine or broth. A splash of white wine creates a rich flavor. Broth adds depth and keeps the shrimp juicy. Both options enhance the dish and bring out the garlic taste.

You can also experiment with different herbs. Fresh basil or dill can add unique notes to the dish. If you like a bit of zest, try tarragon or cilantro. Each herb changes the flavor and makes the meal your own.

Dietary Adjustments

If you need gluten-free options, fear not! This dish is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to check any added ingredients, like broth or seasonings. Most brands offer gluten-free choices.

For low-carb alternatives, skip the bread and serve the shrimp over zucchini noodles. You can also add more veggies, like bell peppers or spinach. This change keeps the meal light and healthy while still being tasty.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps the shrimp fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to let the shrimp cool before sealing the container. This helps avoid moisture buildup, which can make your shrimp soggy.

Reheating Instructions

The best way to reheat shrimp is in a skillet. Heat a small amount of butter over low heat. Add the shrimp and cook until warm, about 2-3 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Place shrimp on a plate, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat for about 30 seconds. Check to make sure it's warm throughout. Avoid overcooking, as it can make shrimp tough.

FAQs

How to tell when shrimp are fully cooked?

You can tell shrimp are fully cooked when they turn pink and opaque. The texture will also change. They should curl slightly, but not tightly. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery. Aim for 2-3 minutes on each side for large shrimp.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge or run them under cold water. This will help them cook evenly. Adjust cooking time slightly if they are still cold.

What can I substitute for butter in this recipe?

You can use olive oil or vegan butter as a substitute. Both options will give a nice flavor. Olive oil will add a fruity taste, while vegan butter mimics the creaminess of regular butter. Adjust the amount to your taste.

You now have a clear guide to making delicious garlic butter shrimp. We covered the main ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You learned how to enhance flavors and adjust for dietary needs. Remember to store your leftovers right and reheat them carefully. Enjoy pairing this dish with rice or bread. Keep experimenting to find your favorite twist. This simple recipe can become a staple in your kitchen. Happy cookin