🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Looking for a quick and satisfying dinner that feels indulgent but takes barely any effort? This irresistible garlic butter shrimp recipe is your answer. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have a juicy, flavorful dish that works for weeknight dinners, date nights, or even impressive entertaining. With a short ingredient list and a punch of bold flavor, this recipe proves you don’t need fancy techniques to make great food. Whether you’re pairing it with pasta, spooning it over rice, or just diving in with a slice of crusty bread, this dish will become a go-to in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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- Fast & Easy: Done in under 10 minutes from start to finish.
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- Minimal Ingredients: Only 7 core ingredients (plus optional add-ons).
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- Versatile: Serve it with rice, pasta, crusty bread, or even tucked into tacos.
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- Impressive: Fancy enough to serve to guests, simple enough for a solo dinner.
Ingredients
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- 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
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- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
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- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
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- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
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- Salt and pepper, to taste
- (Optional: Serve with rice, pasta, or a green salad)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
Beautifully arranged raw shrimp on a stone board – perfect for your next garlic butter shrimp recipe. From the kitchen of Yummy Cooking Treats.
If using frozen shrimp, first thaw under cool running water and then pat dry with paper towels. After that, season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 2: Melt the Butter
The dough preparation process. Female hands add butter into the mixing bowl for baking cake on a black background. Homemade recipe of pastry
Next, in a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow it to melt until it becomes slightly foamy.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic & Chili Flakes
Garlic, chili, and cracked pepper—the flavor power trio. Bring bold heat and depth to your dishes with this aromatic mix from Yummy Cooking Treats.
Then, add minced garlic and chili flakes to the skillet.
Stir continuously for 30–60 seconds, until fragrant. However, be careful not to let it brown.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
Juicy shrimp sizzle in garlicky butter—crispy edges, golden perfection. Watch them caramelize into flavor bombs with Yummy Cooking Treats.
Afterward, add the shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, flipping once. As a result, the shrimp should turn pink and opaque.
Step 5: Finish with Lemon & Herbs
The perfect bite: garlic butter shrimp finished with lemon and thyme. Serve hot and savor every moment with Yummy Cooking Treats.
Once done, turn off the heat.
Then, squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Finally, toss everything gently to coat.
Step 6: Serve
Golden garlic shrimp with fresh herbs and charred lemon—finished with a sprinkle of cheese. A mouthwatering classic from Yummy Cooking Treats.
Serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside your favorite greens. Don’t forget to drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce from the pan on top, it’s gold!
Pro Tips & Variations
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- Add a splash of white wine while sautéing the garlic for a restaurant-style sauce.
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- Want it creamy? Stir in 1 tbsp of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.
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- Make it spicy: Amp up the chili flakes or add a touch of cayenne.
- Shrimp size matters: Jumbo shrimp make this feel more luxe, while smaller ones cook faster and soak in more flavor.
- Want more richness? For example, you can add a splash of white wine while cooking the garlic. Moreover, use pre-peeled shrimp to save even more time in the kitchen.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Garlic bread or baguette (to soak up the sauce!)
Crispy garlic butter bread fresh from the oven—golden, herby, and perfect with pasta or shrimp. A flavorful side by Yummy Cooking Treats.
- Creamy mashed potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes with butter and fresh parsley—comfort food at its finest. A classic side dish from the kitchen of Yummy Cooking Treats.
- Lemon-herb rice or buttered noodles
Whether you crave zesty lemon-herb rice or smooth buttered noodles, this dish delivers both comfort and flavor. A perfect duo from Yummy Cooking Treats.
- A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of butter or water. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery shrimp.
Final Thoughts
This garlic butter shrimp recipe checks all the boxes: fast, flavorful, and fancy-feeling with almost no effort. Whether you’re new to cooking or a kitchen pro, it’s a dish you’ll keep coming back to — because everyone deserves a little luxury on a weeknight.