Hi everyone! Welcome back to YumsJunction! In this post I am going to show you guys another quick and easy recipe that I know you are going to absolutely love. We are making Garlic Butter Shrimp! This is one of those quick dinner recipes that seriously tastes like something you ordered from a fancy seafood restaurant, but you made it right at home in about 15 minutes. Yes, really!
And if you are already obsessed with shrimp the way I am, you are also going to want to check out our Spicy Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta after this one because it uses that same amazing flavor combo and takes things to a whole new level!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This
It is super quick and easy! Seriously, you only need about 15 minutes from start to finish. It is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something that tastes gourmet without spending hours in the kitchen. This is truly one of the best quick recipes for dinner when you are short on time but still want a meal that feels special.
The flavor is unreal. We are packing these shrimp with so many good seasonings like onion powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and you name it! Plus, cooking them in real fresh garlic and a whole stick of butter makes the richest and most absolutely delicious garlic butter shrimp sauce.
It is foolproof. By searing the shrimp for just one minute per side and pulling them out before making the sauce, you guarantee perfectly tender and juicy shrimp every single time. No rubbery seafood here!
What You Will Need
Special Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Large skillet (cast iron or non-stick works great, and a cast iron skillet gives you the best sear!)
- Tongs or a spatula for flipping
For the Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (for drizzling)
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For Cooking and The Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 to 3 tbsp avocado oil (for searing)
- 1 stick (½ cup or 113g) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp dry parsley (or 2 tbsp fresh, chopped)
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Let’s Get Seasoning!
To begin, place your shrimp in a large bowl. If your shrimp came frozen, make sure they are fully thawed and then pat them completely dry with paper towels. This is super important, guys, because dry shrimp sear beautifully while wet shrimp will just steam in the pan and you will miss out on that gorgeous golden crust! Drizzle a little bit of avocado oil (about 1 tablespoon) over the shrimp. I always leave the tails on! Give that a quick mix. Then, we are going to season! Toss in your onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, ground black pepper, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. I like to mix it all together right with my hands to make sure every single piece is beautifully coated.
Step 2: Time to Cook the Shrimp
To a preheated large skillet over medium-high heat, pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of avocado oil. Once that is nice and hot, you are going to add in your shrimp in a single layer. You want to cook the shrimp for about 1 minute per side. Once one side is nice and golden brown and the tails are turning pink, you can flip them over! You are looking for shrimp that are pink all the way through and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) if you want to use a thermometer.
Step 3: Set Aside in Batches
Now that the shrimp is nice and cooked, remove them and set them aside on a plate. Depending on the size of your skillet, you might need to cook them in batches so you do not overcrowd the pan. Just cook the remaining batches the exact same way.
Step 4: Let’s Make That Garlic Butter Sauce!
Lower the heat to medium. Now that we have our shrimp nice and cooked and looking absolutely delicious, you are going to start working on your garlic butter sauce. To that exact same skillet, add 1 stick of unsalted butter. Once that is nice and melted, add in your minced garlic. You want it to be nice and garlicky, so that is why you will be using real garlic. You can throw in some extra garlic powder in there, but you know it is definitely going to taste different if you have some fresh garlic cloves in the mix!
Step 5: Add the Parsley
Cook the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Make sure you do not let the garlic burn! Then pour in your dry parsley. Like I said, this is quick and easy! If you have fresh parsley, throw that in there, but dry works just fine.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
Return the cooked shrimp (and any juices from the plate) to the skillet. Turn off the stove heat. Toss the shrimp gently in the garlic butter sauce until completely coated and warmed through. Serve immediately and enjoy!
And this is exactly how easy it is to make yourself some quick and easy garlic butter shrimp at home. I hope you guys try this out for your family.
If you love shrimp as much as we do, you have to try our Stir Fried Napa Cabbage with Shrimp next! It is another super easy weeknight dinner packed with flavor and on the table in no time!
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FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely guys! In fact, frozen shrimp is often fresher than the fresh shrimp at the seafood counter. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge or submerge them in a sealed bag in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Always pat them completely dry before seasoning so they get that beautiful golden sear instead of steaming!
Why did my garlic butter shrimp turn out rubbery?
Overcooking is the primary culprit! Shrimp cooks incredibly fast. Like I said in the recipe, you only need about 1 minute per side on a hot skillet. Watch for the visual cues. They are perfectly cooked when they turn pink and form a loose C shape. If they curl into a tight and closed O shape, they are overcooked! If you are using medium shrimp instead of large, reduce the cook time to about 45 seconds per side.
Should I peel the shrimp before cooking or leave the tails on?
It really depends on your preference! Peeling them makes the dish much easier to eat, but I like to leave the tails on for presentation. Leaving the shells or tails on also helps protect the delicate meat from overcooking and locks in extra juices. This gives our garlic butter sauce a deeper and more robust flavor.
What are the best sides to serve with garlic butter shrimp?
Because of that rich, absolutely delicious garlic butter shrimp sauce, this dish pairs perfectly with anything that can soak up the flavor! I love tossing it with pasta like linguine or angel hair, spooning it over warm jasmine rice, or simply serving it with some crusty French bread.
Can I substitute avocado oil with something else?
Absolutely! Olive oil or vegetable oil both work great here. Avocado oil is my personal favorite because it has a high smoke point which is perfect for searing, but any neutral oil will do the job.
Is garlic butter shrimp safe for people with allergies?
This recipe contains shellfish which is one of the top major food allergens. It also contains dairy from the butter. Please make sure to check with your guests before serving, and always handle raw shrimp safely by washing your hands thoroughly after touching it and keeping it away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes10
minutes350
kcal15
minutesWhether you call it butter garlic shrimp or garlic butter shrimp, this is the only recipe you will ever need! A super fast, flavor-packed garlic butter shrimp skillet recipe ready in just 15 minutes. Perfectly seasoned shrimp seared golden and tossed in a rich homemade garlic butter shrimp sauce. One of the best quick and easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights, and doubles beautifully as a crowd-pleasing garlic butter shrimp appetizer!
Ingredients
- Equipment Needed
Large skillet (cast iron or non-stick)
Large mixing bowl
Tongs
- Ingredients
1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
1 tbsp (15ml) avocado oil (plus 2 to 3 tbsp extra for the skillet)
½ tsp (1.5g) onion powder
½ tsp (1.5g) garlic powder
½ tsp (1.5g) paprika
½ tsp (1.5g) lemon pepper seasoning
½ tsp (1.5g) Italian seasoning
¼ tsp (0.5g) ground black pepper
¼ tsp (1.5g) salt
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter (1 stick)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp (1g) dry parsley (or substitute fresh)
Directions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels before starting.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over the shrimp in a bowl. Toss to coat.
- Season with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Mix with your hands to coat thoroughly.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 to 3 tablespoons of avocado oil.
- Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in an even layer. Cook in batches if needed. Sear for 1 minute per side until golden brown and the tails turn pink.
- Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same skillet.
- Once melted, add the minced fresh garlic. Saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the dry parsley.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet, give everything a good toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce, and turn off the heat.
- Serve immediately while hot and juicy!
Notes
- Do Not Overcook: Shrimp cooks incredibly fast! Stick to about 1 minute per side. A loose C shape means perfectly cooked. A tight O shape means overcooked. If using medium shrimp, reduce to about 45 seconds per side.
- Food Safety: Shrimp is fully cooked when it turns pink and opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Always wash hands after handling raw shrimp.
- Allergen Note: This recipe contains shellfish and dairy. Please inform guests with allergies before serving.
- Parsley Swap: Dry parsley is quick and easy, but fresh parsley is absolutely amazing if you have it!
- Oil Substitute: No avocado oil? Olive oil or vegetable oil work great here too.
- Optional Brightness: For an extra pop of flavor, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the shrimp just before serving. It lifts the whole dish!
- Serving Suggestions: This rich garlic butter sauce is absolutely delicious spooned over pasta, warm jasmine rice, or served with some crusty French bread to soak up all that flavor!
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat without making them rubbery, do NOT use the microwave! Warm them gently in a skillet over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes just until warmed through.
- Serve as a garlic butter shrimp bowl over jasmine rice, toss with pasta, or plate as a starter appetizer with crusty bread!
