Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe with Lemon and Parsley

This simple five-ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp comes together in about 10 minutes. Bright lemon and plenty of garlic meld with rich butter for a dish that’s both elegant and effortless. Serve as a shareable appetizer, toss with pasta or rice, or pair with roasted vegetables for a quick weeknight meal.

Easy and Delicious!

This garlic butter shrimp is fast to prepare and full of flavor. With just a handful of ingredients and a hot skillet, you’ll have juicy, garlicky shrimp in minutes. It’s an ideal appetizer for entertaining, and it also pairs perfectly with many simple mains and sides to build a complete meal.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Ingredients

Five basic ingredients deliver big flavor:

• Shrimp — 1 lb raw extra-large shrimp, tail on and deveined
• Butter — 5 tablespoons
• Garlic — 7 cloves, smashed and minced
• Lemon juice — 1/2 tablespoon (freshly squeezed is best)
• Salt — 1/4 teaspoon (adjust to taste)

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp

This recipe is straightforward and forgiving. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked shrimp every time:

1. Remove excess moisture from the shrimp by patting them dry on a plate with paper towels. Dry shrimp will brown and sear instead of steaming.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt and foam slightly without burning.
3. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Watch carefully so the garlic doesn’t brown, which would make it bitter.
4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet—do not crowd the pan. Depending on your skillet size you may need to cook in two batches. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt.
5. Sauté the shrimp 2–4 minutes per side, depending on heat. Shrimp are done when they turn opaque and pink and curl slightly. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
6. Remove the shrimp from the pan and immediately squeeze fresh lemon over them. Serve right away while hot.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp

This versatile shrimp works as an appetizer or the protein for a main course. Ideas to round out a meal:

Mains

• Asparagus shrimp scampi (toss with pasta or serve with roasted asparagus)
• Shrimp meal-prep bowls (with rice, greens, and roasted vegetables)
• Easy fried rice or a light lemon pasta

Sides

• Baked potatoes or roasted red potatoes
• Grilled or oven-roasted asparagus with a sprinkle of Parmesan
• A simple mixed green salad or steamed vegetables

Salads

• Fresh arugula salad
• Broccoli salad for a crunchy contrast
• Caprese-style quinoa salad for a more filling option

More Recipes with Shrimp

If you enjoyed this, try these shrimp-based ideas next: healthy shrimp salad, cilantro lime shrimp bowls, Cajun shrimp and grits, or grilled shrimp meal prep bowls. These pair nicely with the garlic butter shrimp flavor profile and offer a variety of textures and preparations.