This easy garlic butter shrimp is succulent shrimp tossed in an easy garlic and lemon sauce. The perfect quick dinner or appetizer!
If you love garlic, you’ll love these lemony, garlicky shrimp which are on the table in less than 10 minutes.
In my opinion, sometimes the most simple preparations of food can be the most delicious. You don’t need to add a whole lot to shrimp to turn them into a culinary delight. These garlic butter shrimp have just a few ingredients and can be on the table in minutes. They’re packed with flavor and perfect served as-is or over pasta.
How to make garlic butter shrimp
To make garlic butter shrimp, I recommend buying the biggest shrimp you can afford. Shrimp size is measured by the number of shrimp per pound. For this recipe I typically use extra jumbo shrimp, which are 16-20 shrimp per pound.
The shrimp get tossed in a pan with plenty of butter, minced garlic and salt and pepper. Be sure to use fresh minced garlic here, not the stuff that comes in a jar. It just doesn’t taste the same! I also add a sprinkling of Italian seasoning for good measure.
These garlic butter shrimp cook very quickly – all you need is about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the size of your shrimp. As soon as the shrimp turn pink and opaque, they’re done. Be sure to watch carefully so that the shrimp don’t get overcooked!
The finishing touch as a sprinkling of fresh parsley, and you’re ready to eat! These garlic butter shrimp are great served over pasta or rice, and they even make a great appetizer.
Is it healthy to eat shrimp?
Shrimp contains a fair amount of cholesterol, but they’re very low in calories and full of nutrients. Shrimp are a great source of vitamin D and B, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. In this particular case, the shrimp are coated in butter, which is not the most healthful way to prepare shrimp, but everything in moderation, right?
I give a range of garlic amounts in this recipe. If you’re a garlic lover, go for the larger amount of garlic! My husband is sensitive to garlic, so I tend to go a little easier on it, but I know some people can’t get enough!
I always keep a bag of shrimp in the freezer so that I can whip up these garlic butter shrimp for an easy dinner.
Whenever I post photos of shrimp with the tails on, I always get a lot of questions and commentary about it. I tend to think that shrimp look nicer with the tails on, but if you’re just looking for a quick dinner and aren’t out to impress anyone, by all means remove the tails before cooking! It’s really a personal choice depending on the presentation that you’re going for.
More great shrimp recipes
Garlic Butter Shrimp Video
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 lb large shrimp I use 16-20 count size, peeled, deveined and tails removed if desired
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic use more if you love garlic!
- the juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place the butter in a large pan and melt over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
- Stir in the lemon juice and parsley, then serve.
We love love love this recipe. Thank you!
Yay, so glad you liked it! Thanks for reporting back!
It´s so true, sometimes the most simple prep meals are the best, these garlic shrimp look so good and super easy to make, perfect on their own with some pasta, great recipe 🙂
I just love garlic and shrimp! I’m serving it with pasta to get all the yummy sauce!
This shrimp looks like it is so delicious. I love to cook shrimp and use it in recipes but can definitely eat it alone!
I make this all the time. It’s one of our favorites. I never used parsley though, so that will be a new addition to test out.
I love shrimps! This garlic butter sauce is moouth watering! Anything with garlic is always taste good!
These would go so good on our taco night. We put out a variety of toppings including meat and seafood so everyone can make a taco of their liking and Shrimp Tacos are always a hit. I usually just grill them but I know my family would love these garlic butter shrimp
This looks tasty, however, I am not fond of garlic so I’d probably make the shrimp with the garlic part. My daughter on the hand wouldn’t mind the garlic, she would love this.
I love simple recipes and this one sounds easy. Hubby loves shrimp and I am sure that he’d gobble these right up.
You had me at ‘garlic butter’! Not only does this sound delicious, but it is easy to make, too. Win win in my book! This would be great for when we have company.
So strange. I made almost exactly this recipe tonight for dinner! Only difference is that I used oil instead of butter, a little cilantro and lime. It was SO yummy!
Your garlic butter shrimp looks absolutely amazing! I love the fact that you sprinkled it with parsley.
LOVE shrimp especially since it’s so easy to cook! This recipe looks delish
Man how I love shrimp. This is such a simple and elegant recipe that you can serve so many different ways. Love it.
This looks amazing to me! The problem with this is I don’t think I would want to share it. I would eat it all on my own LOL.
This recipe looks super simple to make and yummy. Would be perfect for dinner tonight. I love that you added Italian seasoning. That has to be a great combo!
Oh my gosh. I was just craving this the other day and couldn’t find a good recipe. Yours looks perfect. Sharing and saving for later.
My kids and husband would just love this! They adore their shrimp. I never got a taste for seafood, but sometimes I’ll make it for them to enjoy.
Shrimp and lemon with some garlic is such an easy meal or like you said appetizer. We don’t eat enough shrimp. There wouldn’t be any leftovers that is for sure.
My husband is SO into shrimp right now, so I will have to make this for him. He is going to love it.