Ready to wow your taste buds and impress at your next dinner with minimum effort? This Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, exploding with flavor in every bite and comes together in under twenty minutes! Perfectly plump shrimp get bathed in a luscious, garlicky butter sauce with hits of lemon and smoked paprika for depth. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant-worthy main course for family night, a speedy appetizer for guests, or simply a way to treat yourself with something special (without breaking a sweat), this is your new go-to recipe.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

I absolutely adore how a handful of kitchen staples, when brought together, can create something extraordinary. Each ingredient here has a purpose—from building a rich, layered flavor, to making sure every mouthful of shrimp is vibrant, juicy, and memorable. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Large shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): Choose the freshest shrimp you can; they’re the star of this Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe and deliver that tender, succulent texture.
Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Butter is what gives this dish its silky, decadent mouthfeel—it wraps every shrimp in rich goodness!
Olive oil (1 tablespoon): A bit of oil keeps the butter from burning and adds its own faint fruitiness to the base.
Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Nothing beats the aroma of sautéed garlic—it’s the aromatic backbone that makes this recipe sing.
Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle, savory depth and a beautiful golden hue; totally worth having in your spice drawer.
Crushed red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional): For those who like a little warmth, a sprinkle of this takes things up a notch.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Just the right amount to enhance every other flavor in the pan.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): A dash for gentle bite and balancing richness.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): That bright, tangy splash brings everything together and keeps the dish fresh.
Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): This vibrant finishing touch adds color and an herby lift right before serving.
Lemon wedges (for serving): Squeeze as you eat for bursts of citrusy zing with every bite.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

Start by patting your shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This little extra step guarantees a beautiful sear—dry shrimp mean less moisture in the pan, so they cook up plump and perfectly golden, not soggy or steamed.

Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base

Place a large skillet over medium heat, and melt the unsalted butter together with the olive oil. Once shimmering, add in your minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds—just until the garlic is super fragrant but still pale, not browned. This ensures the base of your Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe is truly aromatic and mouthwatering.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Stir in smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if you’re craving a touch of heat), salt, and black pepper. Give it a quick mix to let those spices bloom in the buttery goodness, which makes the flavor pop all the more when you introduce the shrimp.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp

Nestle your shrimp into the skillet in a single, even layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side—don’t walk away! The shrimp will curl and turn a pretty pink when they’re done. Overcooking is the enemy of juicy shrimp, so keep a close eye and flip once halfway through for even doneness.

Step 5: Brighten and Finish

Once the shrimp are cooked through, drizzle the tablespoon of lemon juice right over the top and gently toss so every bit gets glossy and coated. Take the pan off the heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges. This final flourish wakes up all the flavors and delivers that restaurant-quality finish to your Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

A shower of freshly chopped parsley adds a wonderful pop of green and a touch of herbal freshness. Always serve with extra lemon wedges; a little squeeze over each bite makes the flavors sparkle and keeps the dish lively. Don’t forget a grind of black pepper right before serving for that irresistible final touch.

Side Dishes

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe pairs effortlessly with a twirl of pasta, steamy white rice, or—my favorite—thick slices of crusty bread to sweep up every drop of that garlicky sauce. It also sits beautifully alongside buttery mashed potatoes or tossed over sautéed greens for a lighter meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling playful? Tuck the shrimp into warm tortillas with slaw for quick shrimp tacos, crown a creamy risotto, or scatter them atop a simple arugula salad for a dinner-party-worthy starter. The garlic-butter sauce transforms any side into something special, so don’t be shy with how you serve it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cool the shrimp completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to two days while holding onto most of their juiciness and flavor.

Freezing

While you can freeze cooked shrimp, keep in mind the butter sauce may separate a bit once thawed. If freezing, let the dish cool fully, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and give the sauce a gentle stir before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe gently in a skillet over low heat just until warmed through. Add a splash of water or a tiny knob of butter to refresh and re-emulsify the sauce—shrimp warms fast, so avoid the microwave if you can, as it can turn the texture a bit rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them thoroughly and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture in the skillet. Fresh or frozen, high-quality shrimp will always shine in this recipe.

What size shrimp works best?

Large shrimp (often labeled 21-25 per pound) are ideal because they’re juicy, quick-cooking, and easy to manage, but you can use any size—just adjust the cook time accordingly.

Do I have to use smoked paprika?

Smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky depth, but if you don’t have any, sweet paprika or even a pinch of cayenne will still give great flavor, though the taste will be slightly different.

Can I add white wine or cheese?

Definitely! A splash of dry white wine after sautéing the garlic is heavenly and makes the sauce even silkier. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan right before serving is also delicious if you want a little extra richness.

Is this Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe gluten-free?

It certainly is, as long as you pair it with gluten-free sides like rice or gluten-free pasta. The shrimp and sauce contain no gluten, so it’s a naturally accommodating dish!

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re just as excited to try this Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe as I am to share it! Nothing beats the combination of tender shrimp swimming in garlicky, buttery goodness—especially when it’s this easy and quick. Give it a whirl next time you want maximum flavor with minimal fuss, and don’t forget to share your delicious results!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 16 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the savory goodness of Garlic Butter Shrimp with this easy and flavorful recipe. Juicy shrimp cooked in a garlic-infused buttery sauce, perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
lemon wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

Pat the shrimp dry: with paper towels.
In a large skillet: over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.
Add the garlic: and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in: the smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
Add the shrimp: in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Drizzle with lemon juice: and stir to coat.
Remove from heat: garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.