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Garlic Butter Shrimp - An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness - so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!

 

An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness – so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!

Garlic Butter Shrimp - An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness - so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!

Featured Comment

Simple ingredients. Easy go to recipes. Soooo delicious that I was licking the plate clean. Added some broccoli to the shrimp sauce and served it over pasta. Definitely keeping this recipe at the top. Thank you! 
Melisa
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Garlic and butter. The two greatest pleasures in life. The two ingredients I could probably live off of for the rest of my life. And when you combine these two in a glorious shrimp skillet, well, it’s nothing short of perfection.

why i love this recipe

  • Fast, weeknight dinner. Made in just 20 minutes or less, the shrimp cooks very quickly, convenient for any night of the week.
  • Simple but fancy. Even with its quick time stamp, garlic butter shrimp is still fancy and impressive enough to serve for company or date night in, serving with some crusty bread and a side of rice, orzo or pasta.
  • Easy recipe to halve or double. Need a treat-yourself dinner or feeding a big crowd? This recipe can easily be halved or doubled as needed.

types of shrimp

Wild caught shrimp vs. farmed shrimp

Farmed shrimp are raised in controlled environments, whereas wild caught shrimp have been caught in their natural habitats by fishermen. Wild caught shrimp is generally preferred over farmed shrimp primarily due to taste.

Frozen vs. fresh shrimp

Unless you reside in a coastal area, the “fresh shrimp” on display at your local grocery store have already been previously frozen at sea. Frozen shrimp offers ultimate freshness (flash-frozen as soon as they are caught) and flexibility, using only what you need for dinner. Bottom line, frozen shrimp will taste better and cook better.

Garlic Butter Shrimp - An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness - so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!

tips and tricks for success

  • Know your shrimp size. Shrimp size is calculated on number of shrimp per pound. The smaller the number, the larger your shrimp. There are about 40-50 medium shrimp per pound.
  • Buy frozen shrimp. For superior quality and freshness, using frozen shrimp is ideal (but avoid the bags with freezer burn), opting for a quick thaw under cold running water.
  • Cook in batches. Overcrowding the pan will lead to poor searing and chewy, rubbery shrimp.
  • Reheat in the oven. Leftover shrimp can be rubbery when reheated in the microwave. For best results with leftovers, reheat in the oven at 325°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through.
  • Serve with crusty bread. Serve with all the homemade crusty bread for dipping, sopping and dunking!
Garlic Butter Shrimp - An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness - so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!

what to serve with garlic butter shrimp

Tools For This Recipe

Large cast iron skillet

Garlic Butter Shrimp: Frequently Asked Questions

Why use unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter allows you to add as much salt (or as little) salt in your dish, allowing for more control and consistency.

You can replace unsalted butter with salted butter in a pinch, reducing the amount of salt indicated in the recipe, and adding to taste.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You can thaw frozen shrimp overnight, transferring it from the freezer to the fridge the day before. For a quick thaw, you can run them under cold water until completely thawed, about 5-10 minutes. Pat them dry as thoroughly as possible to remove any excess moisture (so they can brown nicely and evenly).

What does the lemon do?

The lemon juice helps balance out the flavors and richness of the butter.

How can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 day.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
An amazing flavor combination of garlicky, buttery goodness – so elegant and easy to make in 20 min or less!
4.9 stars (128 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  • Season shrimp with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches, add shrimp, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
  • Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Stir in chicken stock and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir in remaining 6 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until melted and smooth.
  • Stir in shrimp and gently toss to combine.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with parsley leaves, if desired.

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