Garlic butter shrimp holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first dishes I learned to cook as a college student. A bag of frozen shrimp was affordable on my limited budget, and I could use it to make several easy shrimp recipes. When I made this recipe, the intoxicating aroma of lemony, garlicky, buttery shrimp wafted down the halls, earning me a reputation as the “fancy” cook on my floor.
The butter-garlic shrimp sauce is incredibly versatile, and tastes good on everything from noodles to vegetables. I’ve eaten these shrimp over rice, with pasta and on top of salads (like shrimp Caesar salad). They work as an appetizer for fancy dinner parties—especially if you leave the tails on for easy grabbing. I’m also not afraid to admit that I’ve eaten them straight out of the bowl (with a hunk of crusty bread to sop up every last bite of that flavored butter).
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
This 25-minute recipe requires just four ingredients and one skillet. Cook the minced garlic and shrimp in butter until the shrimp are cooked through. Then, add the lemon juice. Seriously, that’s it.
The main thing you’ll want to avoid is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp are one of the fastest-cooking proteins, and they’ll be finished in a mere five minutes. That time goes by fast, so make sure you have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go. Perfectly cooked shrimp are juicy, but overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. Shell-on shrimp are the least expensive, but you have to clean the shrimp before use. You can buy pre-peeled shrimp for ease, but they tend to be the most expensive. Easy-peel shrimp are a good compromise. They still have their shells, but they’re deveined and split down the middle to make cleaning easy. Plus, you get to keep the shells to make shellfish stock.
- Garlic: Sauteing garlic in butter (or oil) releases its aromatic compounds, mellowing out the pungent edges and giving it an almost sweet finish.
- Butter: Any type of butter works, but we recommend using the highest-quality butter you can afford. Use Amish butter for the creamiest flavor, European butter for added richness or grass-fed butter for its subtle vegetal and herbal notes.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will add the brightest flavor, but you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
Directions
Step 1: Saute the shrimp
In a large skillet, saute the shrimp and garlic in butter for about five minutes until the shrimp turn pink.
Step 2: Finish with lemon juice
Add the lemon juice, and heat through. Serve with rice and if desired, sprinkle with parsley.
Recipe Variations
- Add Parmesan cheese: Make the shrimp even richer with a little shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Include spice: Give the dish a spicy kick with crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. You can also make it into Cajun shrimp with some paprika, cayenne, nutmeg and thyme.
- Turn it into a pasta sauce: Add a little white wine or a splash of pasta cooking water to turn the butter-garlic mixture into a pasta sauce, similar to lemon-garlic shrimp pasta or shrimp tortellini.
How to Store Garlic Butter Shrimp
Store garlic butter shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Shrimp has the best flavor and texture just after it’s cooked, but the leftovers are great when repurposed in recipes like shrimp quesadillas or shrimp tostadas.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Tips
Should you cook shrimp in butter or olive oil?
Butter and olive oil are both good options for cooking shrimp, so it’s up to personal preference. Butter adds a rich, creamy taste to shrimp, whereas olive oil imparts a grassy, lightly fruity flavor. Substituting olive oil makes this recipe dairy-free.
Can you use frozen shrimp to make garlic butter shrimp?
Yes, you can cook frozen shrimp in the skillet—no thawing necessary! Frozen shrimp take a minute or two longer to cook, so make sure they’re fully cooked before digging in. The shrimp should be opaque with pink or red streaks and no sign of gray.
What do you serve with garlic butter shrimp?
Serve garlic butter shrimp as an appetizer, or serve it as the main course with hot rice, pasta, mashed potatoes or cheesy grits. Complete the meal with a side of roasted vegetables and a batch of copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits.
