Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet Quick and Easy Meal

September 9, 2025 by Hazel

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? Let me introduce you to my Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that’s bursting with flavor and takes only minutes to prepare. Imagine juicy shrimp cooked in rich garlic butter, accented with fresh herbs and a hint of spice. Ready to impress your taste buds? Let’s dive into this easy recipe that will leave you craving more!

Ingredients

List of Main Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Additional Seasonings and Add-Ins

Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Gathering the right ingredients makes cooking easy and fun. Start with the shrimp. I use one pound of large shrimp that are peeled and deveined. This saves time and makes cooking fast. Next, grab four tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds creaminess and depth of flavor.

You will need five cloves of garlic, which I always mince fresh. The garlic adds a strong, savory taste. For a little heat, I use one teaspoon of red pepper flakes. You can adjust this to your liking. The zest of one lemon brings brightness, while two tablespoons of lemon juice add a tangy kick.

Chop a quarter cup of fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Salt and pepper are essential for flavor. I recommend one tablespoon of olive oil for cooking. It helps the shrimp cook evenly. Lastly, one cup of halved cherry tomatoes adds sweetness and texture. A teaspoon of smoked paprika gives a hint of smokiness to the dish.

With these ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that is sure to impress!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Skillet

Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil gets hot, add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let the butter melt completely. This step ensures a delicious base for your dish.

Sautéing Garlic and Seasonings

Next, add 5 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute. You want the garlic to smell great but not brown. This adds a nice kick and flavor to your shrimp.

Cooking the Shrimp and Tomatoes

Now, toss in 1 pound of large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on one side until they turn pink. Then, flip them over. After that, add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Squeeze in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of lemon zest on top. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are fully cooked and the tomatoes soften.

Final Touches

Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. This adds a fresh taste and bright color to your dish. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Your savory garlic butter shrimp skillet is now ready to serve!

Tips & Tricks

Achieving Perfectly Cooked Shrimp

To know when shrimp are done, watch for color change. Perfect shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should curl slightly but not be tight. Overcooking makes shrimp tough. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side. If they are firm and bounce back lightly, they are ready to enjoy.

Enhancing Flavor

For more flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. It adds heat without overpowering the dish. You can also mix in fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for a twist. A splash of white wine can add depth. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Experimenting keeps the dish fresh and exciting.

Cooking Techniques

Use a heavy skillet for even heat. A cast-iron skillet works great for this dish. It retains heat well and cooks the shrimp evenly. If you have a non-stick skillet, that can work too. Just ensure it’s large enough to hold all the shrimp without crowding. This helps them cook perfectly every time.

Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap shrimp for other seafood. Try scallops or fish fillets. For a vegan option, use firm tofu. Instead of butter, use plant-based butter or olive oil. This keeps the dish creamy and rich.

Flavor Enhancements

Spice it up! Add paprika or cayenne for heat. Want more color? Toss in bell peppers or spinach. Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro add brightness. Try different garlic forms, like roasted garlic, for a sweet twist.

Variation for Dietary Preferences

For a gluten-free meal, this recipe works great as is. Just check all labels for gluten. To make it dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter. This keeps the taste delicious without dairy. Enjoy the flavors without worry!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To keep your shrimp fresh, follow these steps:

Let the shrimp cool down first.
Place them in an airtight container.
Store in the fridge within two hours of cooking.
Use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.

Reheating Instructions

You want to keep your shrimp tasty and juicy. Here’s how:

Use a skillet over low heat to warm them up.
Add a splash of water or broth for moisture.
Stir gently until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
Avoid microwaving, as it can make shrimp rubbery.

Shelf Life

Your savory garlic butter shrimp can last in the fridge for:

Up to 3 days when stored properly.
Check for any off smells or changes in color before eating.
For longer storage, consider freezing them.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. It’s a great option when fresh shrimp is not available. Start by thawing the shrimp. Place them in a bowl of cold water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Change the water halfway for even thawing. Make sure to drain and pat them dry before cooking. This helps the shrimp cook better and absorb flavors.

What can I serve with garlic butter shrimp?

Garlic butter shrimp pairs well with many sides. Here are some tasty options:

Steamed rice
Quinoa
Garlic bread
Fresh salad
Roasted vegetables

These sides will balance the rich flavors of the shrimp. You can also add a squeeze of lemon on top for a fresh touch.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

To add more heat, try these options:

Increase the red pepper flakes to your taste.
Add fresh chopped chili peppers.
Mix in a dash of hot sauce before serving.

These tweaks will give your dish a nice kick without losing the garlic flavor. Enjoy the spice!

This blog post covered how to make garlic butter shrimp, from ingredients to cooking tips. You learned about the essential flavors and cooking steps. Perfectly cooked shrimp bring joy and great taste. Use the tips to experiment and make it your own. Whether adding spices or serving it with sides, you can enjoy it all week. Remember to store leftovers properly for the best flavor. Try this simple recipe and impress your family or friends!

$- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 5 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - 1 teaspoon lemon zest - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Gathering the right ingredients makes cooking easy and fun. Start with the shrimp. I use one pound of large shrimp that are peeled and deveined. This saves time and makes cooking fast. Next, grab four tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds creaminess and depth of flavor. You will need five cloves of garlic, which I always mince fresh. The garlic adds a strong, savory taste. For a little heat, I use one teaspoon of red pepper flakes. You can adjust this to your liking. The zest of one lemon brings brightness, while two tablespoons of lemon juice add a tangy kick. Chop a quarter cup of fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Salt and pepper are essential for flavor. I recommend one tablespoon of olive oil for cooking. It helps the shrimp cook evenly. Lastly, one cup of halved cherry tomatoes adds sweetness and texture. A teaspoon of smoked paprika gives a hint of smokiness to the dish. With these ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that is sure to impress! Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil gets hot, add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let the butter melt completely. This step ensures a delicious base for your dish. Next, add 5 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute. You want the garlic to smell great but not brown. This adds a nice kick and flavor to your shrimp. Now, toss in 1 pound of large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on one side until they turn pink. Then, flip them over. After that, add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Squeeze in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of lemon zest on top. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are fully cooked and the tomatoes soften. Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. This adds a fresh taste and bright color to your dish. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Your savory garlic butter shrimp skillet is now ready to serve! To know when shrimp are done, watch for color change. Perfect shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should curl slightly but not be tight. Overcooking makes shrimp tough. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side. If they are firm and bounce back lightly, they are ready to enjoy. For more flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. It adds heat without overpowering the dish. You can also mix in fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for a twist. A splash of white wine can add depth. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Experimenting keeps the dish fresh and exciting. Use a heavy skillet for even heat. A cast-iron skillet works great for this dish. It retains heat well and cooks the shrimp evenly. If you have a non-stick skillet, that can work too. Just ensure it’s large enough to hold all the shrimp without crowding. This helps them cook perfectly every time. {{image_2}} You can swap shrimp for other seafood. Try scallops or fish fillets. For a vegan option, use firm tofu. Instead of butter, use plant-based butter or olive oil. This keeps the dish creamy and rich. Spice it up! Add paprika or cayenne for heat. Want more color? Toss in bell peppers or spinach. Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro add brightness. Try different garlic forms, like roasted garlic, for a sweet twist. For a gluten-free meal, this recipe works great as is. Just check all labels for gluten. To make it dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter. This keeps the taste delicious without dairy. Enjoy the flavors without worry! To keep your shrimp fresh, follow these steps: - Let the shrimp cool down first. - Place them in an airtight container. - Store in the fridge within two hours of cooking. - Use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. You want to keep your shrimp tasty and juicy. Here’s how: - Use a skillet over low heat to warm them up. - Add a splash of water or broth for moisture. - Stir gently until heated through, about 3-5 minutes. - Avoid microwaving, as it can make shrimp rubbery. Your savory garlic butter shrimp can last in the fridge for: - Up to 3 days when stored properly. - Check for any off smells or changes in color before eating. - For longer storage, consider freezing them. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. It’s a great option when fresh shrimp is not available. Start by thawing the shrimp. Place them in a bowl of cold water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Change the water halfway for even thawing. Make sure to drain and pat them dry before cooking. This helps the shrimp cook better and absorb flavors. Garlic butter shrimp pairs well with many sides. Here are some tasty options: - Steamed rice - Quinoa - Garlic bread - Fresh salad - Roasted vegetables These sides will balance the rich flavors of the shrimp. You can also add a squeeze of lemon on top for a fresh touch. To add more heat, try these options: - Increase the red pepper flakes to your taste. - Add fresh chopped chili peppers. - Mix in a dash of hot sauce before serving. These tweaks will give your dish a nice kick without losing the garlic flavor. Enjoy the spice! This blog post covered how to make garlic butter shrimp, from ingredients to cooking tips. You learned about the essential flavors and cooking steps. Perfectly cooked shrimp bring joy and great taste. Use the tips to experiment and make it your own. Whether adding spices or serving it with sides, you can enjoy it all week. Remember to store leftovers properly for the best flavor. Try this simple recipe and impress your family or friends!$