Garlic Lime Shrimp

This garlic lime shrimp pasta delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. The recipe is a twist on classic garlic butter shrimp, where juicy shrimp is sauteed with minced garlic in melted butter. Here we finish the shrimp with fresh parsley and a splash of fresh lime juice for a bright, zesty flavor. Tossed with hot cooked pasta, shrimp with lime and garlic becomes a satisfying one-skillet meal. The shrimp and pan sauce are just as delicious served over rice or alongside roasted veggies for an easy shrimp dinner.

Ingredients for Garlic Lime Shrimp

• Shrimp: We want the star of the dish to stand out, so look for large peeled and deveined shrimp, 31 to 40 per pound. Fresh or frozen shrimp work, but thaw frozen shrimp before sauteing.
• Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the sauce and shrimp with bold, savory depth. For the best taste, stick with fresh garlic cloves for this recipe.
• Cayenne pepper: A pinch adds subtle heat that balances the rich butter and bright lime flavors. No cayenne pepper? Swap in red pepper flakes for a similar spicy kick. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.
• Butter: Melted butter is the rich, silky base of our garlic and lime sauce. Substitute vegan butter or olive oil for a dairy-free version.
• Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed for the freshest, most vibrant flavor. Bottled lime juice lacks the same punch, delivers less citrus aroma and may have off-flavors from added preservatives. This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of juice, roughly the juice of one to two limes depending on their size. Here’s the best way to cut a lime to get the most juice.
• Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a bright pop of color to the finished dish. Feel free to swap in fresh cilantro or basil. Here are some ideas for using up a big bunch of parsley.
• Pasta: We recommend piling the shrimp over hot cooked noodles—they soak up the zesty garlic lime sauce and transform this dish into a hearty, filling meal. About 8 ounces of pasta should deliver the perfect ratio of noodles to shrimp and sauce. Choose whichever pasta shape you’re in the mood for, from twirly spaghetti to bite-sized penne.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the shrimp

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Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, minced garlic, salt and cayenne pepper. Saute, stirring frequently, until the shrimp turn pink and curl into a C-shape, four to five minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Garlic can burn quickly, so keep the heat at medium (not high) and stir the shrimp and garlic often to prevent scorching.

Step 2: Toss the shrimp with lime juice and pasta

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Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the lime juice and chopped parsley. Add hot cooked pasta and toss everything together until well coated. Mix it right in the skillet, or pour the garlic lime shrimp over the noodles in a large serving bowl and combine. Serve warm.

Editor’s Tip: Zest the lime before juicing it, and stir the zest into the mixture for even more citrus flavor.

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Garlic Lime Shrimp Variations

• Switch up the protein: The garlic lime sauce also works well with scallops, cubed boneless skinless chicken breast, ground chicken or ground turkey. Adjust the cooking time as needed and be sure your protein reaches the correct internal temperature for food safety.
• Add vegetables: For a boost of color and nutrients, sauté quick-cooking veggies—such as cherry tomatoes, asparagus, onion, zucchini or spinach—in the same skillet as the shrimp.
• Replace the pasta: Try serving the garlic lime shrimp over rice, quinoa or farro. For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• Make a creamy sauce: Stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half or coconut milk after the lime juice for a silkier, richer texture.
• Try a flavorful add-in: Punch up the flavor with sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta, grated Parmesan or briny capers.
• Go dairy-free: Substitute vegan butter or a few tablespoons of olive oil for the butter to keep the dish free of dairy and lactose without sacrificing flavor.

How to Store Garlic Lime Shrimp

Store leftover garlic and lime shrimp pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can you freeze lime shrimp pasta?

Fish and shellfish dishes are best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze shrimp with lime and garlic pasta for one to two months. For the best texture, freeze the shrimp and pasta in separate containers—or freeze just the shrimp and cook a fresh pot of pasta when you’re ready to serve. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating the shrimp on the stovetop.

Can you make shrimp with lime and garlic ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the shrimp and prepare the garlic lime sauce up to one day in advance. Store the shrimp and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture, wait to toss the shrimp with pasta until just before serving; otherwise, the pasta will soak up the sauce in the fridge. When ready to serve, gently reheat the shrimp and sauce on the stovetop, then toss with freshly cooked pasta.

How do you reheat garlic and lime shrimp?

To reheat, place the garlic lime shrimp—with or without noodles—in a skillet with a splash of water or broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions using 30-second intervals and stirring in between to prevent overcooking the shrimp.

Garlic Lime Shrimp Tips

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Can you use cilantro instead of parsley?

Absolutely! Fresh cilantro pairs beautifully with lime juice, giving the shrimp dish a Tex-Mex twist, similar to cilantro lime shrimp skewers. Feel free to increase the amount from 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs to 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, cilantro or a mix of herbs for a more pronounced herbal flavor.

How do you know when shrimp are cooked?

You can tell shrimp are fully cooked just by looking at them. Shrimp are done cooking when they curl into a loose C-shape and turn from white and translucent to pink and opaque. For even cooking, spread the shrimp into a single layer and flip them halfway through cooking.

What else can you serve with garlic lime shrimp?

Served over pasta, this garlic and lime shrimp recipe is a complete meal that pairs perfectly with a green salad and crusty bread. Not in the mood for noodles? Pair the shrimp with another grain, like fluffy rice, protein-packed quinoa or nutty farro. Round out the meal with a roasted vegetable or crisp cucumber salad. You could also wrap the shrimp in homemade tortillas and drizzle them with avocado crema.