Butter Garlic Shrimp Delight

This Butter Garlic Shrimp recipe brings juicy, tender shrimp cooked in golden butter and fresh garlic straight to your table in under 15 minutes. It’s perfect when you want bold flavors fast, whether as a main dish, appetizer, or mixed into pasta or rice. The sizzling aroma of garlic melting into butter will pull everyone into the kitchen before it’s even served.

Why You’ll Love This Butter Garlic Shrimp

• Quick and easy to prepare making it a lifesaver on busy nights
• Made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
• Versatile enough to serve over rice pasta or with crusty bread
• Rich and flavorful with garlic butter and fresh herbs creating a restaurant-quality taste
• Elegant enough to impress guests yet fuss-free for everyday meals

I first whipped this up during a last-minute dinner party and it quickly became a regular request. It never fails to wow without much effort.

Ingredients

• Shrimp: peeled and deveined offers a sweet briny taste and tender texture that is the star of the dish
• Butter: provides a rich silky base essential for that luxurious sauce
• Freshly minced garlic: gives a bold aromatic punch that pairs perfectly with shrimp
• Olive oil: helps prevent the butter from burning and balances the fat content
• Paprika or smoked paprika: adds warm color and subtle spice enhancing both taste and appearance. Choose Spanish smoked paprika if possible for depth
• Fresh or dried parsley: contributes bright fresh notes and pretty green flecks on top
• Salt and pepper: simple but crucial to bring out all the layers of flavor
• Lemon juice: optional for a fresh tang that cuts through the richness and brightens the dish

How To Make the Butter Garlic Shrimp

Prep the Shrimp:

Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels which helps achieve a good sear. Season evenly with salt, pepper, and a touch of paprika. Set the shrimp aside while prepping the pan.

Infuse the Butter:

Heat butter with a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until melted. Add the freshly minced garlic and cook gently for about one minute until fragrant but not browned. This step builds the aromatic base.

Cook the Shrimp:

Place shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook undisturbed for about two minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Avoid crowding the pan to ensure even cooking and a good sear.

Toss and Finish:

Sprinkle chopped parsley over the cooked shrimp and add a squeeze of lemon juice if you like. Toss everything gently in the buttery garlic sauce ensuring shrimp are well coated.

Serve Hot:

Transfer shrimp to a serving dish and spoon extra buttery garlic sauce from the pan on top. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

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One of my favorite things about this dish is how a simple combination like butter and garlic elevates shrimp into something both elegant and comforting. It always brings back memories of family gatherings where the irresistible aroma drew everyone from across the room.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within two days for the best taste and safety. When reheating, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or butter to keep them moist. Avoid microwave reheating as shrimp tend to turn rubbery quickly.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have fresh shrimp, frozen raw shrimp work just fine as long as you thaw completely and pat dry well before cooking. Garlic powder can replace fresh garlic but add about half a teaspoon gently to avoid harshness. Use regular paprika if smoked paprika is unavailable and increase slightly to lift the flavor a bit.

Serving Suggestions

This shrimp is fantastic served over angel hair pasta for a quick seafood dinner or spooned on top of steamed jasmine rice to soak up the buttery sauce. It also pairs beautifully with crusty bread, perfect for sopping in that garlic butter. For a fun twist, try adding the shrimp to soft tacos with fresh crunchy slaw for a coastal touch.

Pro Tips

• Always pat your shrimp dry to get the best sear and flavor
• Use a mix of butter and olive oil to keep your butter from burning while cooking the garlic
• Do not overcrowd the pan or the shrimp will steam instead of sauté, creating a rubbery texture

Commonly Asked Questions

→ How do I avoid overcooking shrimp?

Shrimp cook very quickly and are done once they turn pink and curl slightly. Watch closely and remove from heat immediately to keep them tender.

→ Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, make sure shrimp are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking to ensure even searing and prevent steaming.

→ What size shrimp works best for this dish?

Medium to large peeled and deveined shrimp are ideal for quick, even cooking and optimal texture.

→ Is fresh garlic necessary?

Fresh minced garlic provides the best aroma and flavor, but garlic powder can be used as a substitute in a pinch.

→ Can I add heat to this dish?

Yes, red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper can be added to introduce a spicy kick that complements the rich sauce.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a bit of broth or butter to maintain moisture; avoid microwaving to prevent rubberiness.