Jump to RecipeJuicy sautéed shrimp cooked in a flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for an appetizer at your next party, or as a main course. Garlic Butter Shrimp is a quick and easy recipe, that will be ready in 20 minutes or less-start to finish!
THE BEST 20 MINUTE GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP
Hopefully, we have built enough trust by now that you believe me when I tell you that this recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp is hands down THE easiest and MOST delicious one I have tried! We are talking garlic, butter, lemon, and shrimp– what’s not to love?!
With only a handful of ingredients needed, any seafood lover or even non-seafood lover will be drooling over this rich, lemony garlic butter shrimp. This is perfect for a no-fuss weeknight dinner alongside vegetables and rice, pasta, or even just a craggy baguette to deftly soak up that succulent shrimp-flavored lemon butter sauce. But to be honest, I’m thinking of making it as an appetizer at my next party!
How to Video:
Ingredients for 20 Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp
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- Shrimp: I used a Large size, 31/41 count per pound. Any size will do, although the cooking time might need to be adjusted. Shrimp with the tail on or off is a personal preference, but do make sure the shrimp is deveined and peeled.
- Garlic: I used about 6 or 7 cloves of minced garlic, which added up to 2 tbsp.
- Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. I only used the juice from 1/2 of a lemon.
- Butter: unsalted preferably
- Olive oil: a good quality extra virgin olive oil
- Seasoning: To season the shrimp before searing, use a combination of kosher salt, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, and paprika.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley leaves for garnish and pop of bright green color.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
![seasoned raw shrimp in mixing bowl](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231129_103250-679x1024.jpg?x76023)
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl.
Add seasoning: salt, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, paprika. Toss to coat.
![image of shrimp searing in cast iron skillet](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231129_104553-576x1024.jpg?x76023)
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it melts. Add the shrimp in a single layer and let cook undisturbed for 1 minute.
![image of shrimp searing in cast iron skillet](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231129_104748-629x1024.jpg?x76023)
With tongs or a wide spatula, turn over the shrimp. Cook for another minute on the opposite side.
![garlic butter shrimp in cast iron skillet, garnished with chopped parsley](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231129_105031-712x1024.jpg?x76023)
Add another 2 tbsp, of butter to melt. Add garlic. DO NOT BURN GARLIC! Add lemon juice and let the lemon butter sauce simmer for about 1 minute and remove the skillet from heat.
Top with fresh parsley and serve warm.
![garlic butter shrimp on serving plate with slices of bread and a lemon wedge](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231129_110437-648x1024.jpg?x76023)
Make sure you serve with something to soak up that amazing garlic butter sauce!
Tips for Success:
- Pat Shrimp Dry with paper towels: If your shrimp is wet, the dry seasoning won’t adhere as well, and you won’t be able to sear it either. A dry surface is more likely to crisp, brown, and caramelize. Moisture on the surface must evaporate before browning can happen.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice. Always opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than the bottled kind whenever possible.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp. As soon as they turn opaque and curl up a bit, they’re good to go. It takes fewer than 5 minutes, so make sure you are ready.
- Prep Your Ingredients. Remember, this is a quick recipe! Shrimp doesn’t take long to cook at all. Make sure that you have the ingredients, along with any cooking utensils like a large spoon and a big plate for when you remove the shrimp from the skillet, in easy reach.
- Cast Iron: I love using Cast Iron skillet for this recipe! It’s a great choice for nonstick and even heat distribution.
![rating and reviews](https://cdn-0.saltsugarspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Copy-of-Copy-of-SALT-SUGAR-SPICE.png?x76023)
20 Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lbs large raw shrimp peeled and deveined, with/without tail
- 2 tbsp garlic minced about 6 cloves
- 3 tbsp lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 4 tbsp butter unsalted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ cup chopped parsley fresh
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl.
- Add seasoning: salt, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, paprika. Toss to coat.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it melts. Add the shrimp in a single layer and let cook undisturbed for 1 minute. With tongs or a wide spatula, turn over the shrimp. Cook for another minute on opposite side.
- Add another 2 tbsp, of butter to melt. Add garlic. DO NOT BURN GARLIC! Add lemon juice and let the lemon butter sauce simmer for about 1 minute and remove the skillet from heat.
- Top with fresh parsley and serve warm.