This sweet and succulent garlic lemon shrimp recipe tastes elegant but is incredibly simple to prepare. Tender shrimp cooked in a light garlic butter and lemon sauce are ready in minutes, making this dish ideal for entertaining, date night, or a special weeknight dinner. Shrimp are high in protein and naturally low in carbs, so you get luxurious flavor with a healthful profile.
Sauteed garlic butter shrimp is extremely versatile: serve it with pasta, rice, potatoes, grits, or a simple salad. Since it cooks in under 15 minutes, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your weekly rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic and Lemon Shrimp
- Fast to make. The recipe comes together in under 15 minutes.
- Bold flavor. Perfectly seasoned shrimp are finished in a bright lemon garlic butter sauce for a delicious, balanced bite.
- Healthy option. Shrimp are low in carbs and naturally gluten free, making this dish suitable for many diets, including keto when served with low-carb sides.
Garlic Lemon Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (or any light neutral oil)
- Shrimp: 1 lb raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on if you like)
- Garlic: 5–6 cloves, minced
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons fresh
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped
- Crushed red pepper: 1 teaspoon (optional, for heat)
- Lemon slices: for garnish
How To Make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Sauté the shrimp. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the olive oil. When hot, add the shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until they begin to turn opaque and curl slightly.
- Add the seasonings and garlic. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper and salt. Sauté another 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Finish with butter and lemon. Reduce the heat, add the butter, lemon juice, chopped parsley and crushed red pepper. Let the butter melt and the sauce simmer for 1–2 minutes to coat the shrimp.
- Serve. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with lemon slices and extra parsley, and serve immediately.
Tips To Make Sauteed Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Buy raw (fresh or frozen) shrimp rather than precooked—raw shrimp cook quickly and stay tender.
- Using pre-peeled shrimp saves prep time; jumbo shrimp are often labeled 21/25 (that many per pound).
- Prep all ingredients before cooking—shrimp cook fast and overcooking makes them rubbery.
- Look for shrimp to curl slightly and turn an opaque pink when done.
- Use good-quality butter, fresh lemon juice and fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Avoid moving the shrimp too much: let them sear on one side for a minute or two before flipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Either works. A common approach is to sauté shrimp briefly in a small amount of oil for a higher smoke point, then add butter at the end to create the flavorful sauce.
Yes. Shrimp cook very quickly and become rubbery if overcooked. Watch for them to curl slightly and turn opaque pink; that’s when to stop cooking.
Lower the heat before adding butter and let it melt gently into the pan juices. This helps the butter incorporate into a smooth sauce instead of separating into oil and solids.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Reheat gently in a low skillet until warmed through—avoid high heat or the microwave to prevent overcooking.
Yes. Flash-freeze chilled shrimp on a baking sheet for a few hours, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a skillet.
This shrimp pairs well with angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, grits, steamed vegetables, or a crisp salad. Add crusty bread to mop up the sauce.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Mango Shrimp Salad
- Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
- Easy Shrimp Salad
- Air Fryer Shrimp and Vegetables
- Spicy Shrimp Pasta
I hope you enjoy this garlic lemon shrimp recipe. If you try it, please rate and comment—and share your creations on social media if you like. Happy cooking!
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)
- 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the olive oil. Once hot, add the shrimp and sauté 3–4 minutes until they begin to turn opaque.
- Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper and salt. Sauté another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Reduce heat, then stir in the butter, lemon juice, parsley and red chili flakes. Simmer 1–2 minutes so the shrimp are coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use raw or raw frozen shrimp for the best texture.
- Prepare ingredients before cooking—shrimp cook quickly.
- Avoid overcooking; shrimp are done when they curl slightly and turn opaque pink.
- For best flavor, use fresh lemon juice, fresh garlic and quality butter.
Nutrition
Calories: 205 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Protein: 16 g | Fat: 14 g