30-Minute Meals · Recipes · Seafood · Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic butter shrimp features juicy seared shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce that is both delicate and flavorful all at once. This one is a true crowd pleaser!
If there is one shrimp recipe that is an all-rounder, this is it. The garlic butter sauce is perfect for dipping crusty bread or served over pasta. It’s also incredibly flavorful with freshly cooked rice or mashed potatoes. Well, it even pairs wonderfully with a heap of steamed broccoli for a low carb meal.
Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, this one is a keeper. So, if you have a bunch of shrimps and 30 minutes on hand, give this garlic butter shrimp a try. If you enjoy spicy food, check out my spicy garlic butter shrimp!
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
This garlic butter shrimp recipe is quick, easy and will be ready in no time. It’s made with pantry staples and is extremely versatile.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp, peeled, de-veined, with or without tails. Large sized shrimp are ideal as they are jucier and sweeter. But smaller shrimp works too.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is the preferred option as you can adjust it to your liking. Use cold butter for a smooth sauce.
- Garlic: Lots of fresh garlic adds incredible flavor to this dish.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice helps balance the rich butter and brightens the dish.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley for garnish and a sprig of thyme infused into the sauce.
- Spices: Chili/cayenne powder, pepper and grated nutmeg makes this dish taste like it’s from a fancy restaurant.
- Olive oil
- Salt
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Salt the shrimp: Clean and pat dry shrimp. Add 1/2 tsp salt, mix well and set it aside for 15 minutes.
- Prep ingredients: Mince garlic and finely chop parsley.
- Sauté the shrimp: In a pan on medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter in 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 thyme sprig and infuse it into the oil for 30 seconds. Set flame to medium high, add the salted shrimp and spread them out. Sauté shrimp until they are cooked through and set aside.
- Garlic butter sauce: Set flame to low, remove the thyme and add 1 tbsp butter. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add chilli/cayenne pepper powder, juice of half a lemon and reduce for 1 minute. Take off the flame and whisk in the cold butter, a little bit at a time until you get a smooth sauce.
- Season the sauce: Flavor the garlic butter sauce with grated nutmeg, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Serve: Pour the garlic butter sauce over the sauteed shrimp or serve it in a bowl on the side for dipping.
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Shrimp Cooking Time
The cooking time for shrimp can vary depending on their size. Here are some general guidelines for cooking medium, large, and jumbo shrimp:
- Medium Shrimp: Sautéing or searing medium shrimp may take 2-3 minutes
- Large Shrimp: Sautéing or searing large shrimp may take about 3-4 minutes
- Jumbo Shrimp: Sautéing or searing jumbo shrimp could take around 4-5 minutes
How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Bread: Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
- Pasta: Turn this dish into garlic butter shrimp pasta by tossing it into spaghetti or fettucine.
- Rice: Freshly cooked rice slathered with this garlic butter shrimp is incredibly satisfrying. Serve along with steamed veggies for a wholesome meal.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, carrots, green beans pair well with this dish.
- Potatoes: Mashed, roasted or steamed, this pairs well with all kinds of potatoes.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Juicy seared shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce that is both delicate and flavorful all at once. Serve with crusty bread, pasta, rice, potatoes or steamed vegetables.
Servings : 4
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb (450g) shrimp (peeled, deveined, with or without tails)
- 2/3 cup (150g) butter (unsalted, cold)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (grated)
- 1/2 lemon
- parsley (finely chopped)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Clean and pat dry the shrimp with paper towels. Add 1/2 tsp salt, mix well and set it aside for 15 minutes.
- Mince the garlic and finely chop parsley.
- Set a wide pan or skillet on medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter in 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 sprig of thyme and infuse it into the oil for 30 seconds.
- Set the flame to medium high, add the salted shrimp and spread them out. Sauté the shrimp until they are cooked through and set aside. Do not overcrowd the pan or the shrimp will release excess moisture and steam.
- Set the flame to low, remove thyme and add 1 tbsp butter. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add chilli/cayenne pepper powder, juice of half a lemon and reduce it for 1 minute.
- Take off the flame and whisk in the cold butter, a little bit at a time, until you get a smooth sauce.
- Flavor the garlic butter sauce with grated nutmeg, parsley, salt and pepper. Adjust it to your liking.
- Pour the garlic butter sauce over the sauteed shrimp or serve it in a bowl on the side for dipping.
NOTES
- Use jumbo or large shrimp if possible as they are jucier, sweeter and wont get overcooked easily.
- Adjust the salt in the sauce by testing it over a shrimp. This way you can balance the flavor to your liking.
Substitutes
- Parsley: Chives, scallions or cilantro/coriander leaves.
- Nutmeg: Skip if unavailable.
- Lemon juice: Lime juice works too.
NUTRITION (per serving)
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 14.1gProtein: 7.5gFat: 39.5gSaturated Fat: 13.6gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 406mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
420
% Daily Value*
Fat
39.5
g
61
%
Saturated Fat
13.6
g
85
%
Cholesterol
87
mg
29
%
Sodium
406
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
14.1
g
5
%
Protein
7.5
g
15
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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