Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp is one of those easy, crowd-pleasing dishes that feels a little fancy but comes together in minutes. Juicy shrimp are coated in a rich, garlicky butter sauce that's perfect for serving over pasta, rice, risotto or crusty bread. It's a quick dinner that never disappoints.
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Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
On those nights when I don't have the time or energy to make a big dinner, I turn to recipes like this Garlic Butter Shrimp - fast, flavorful, and always a hit. Shrimp has this magical ability to feel a little special, even when dinner comes together in under 20 minutes!
I love how the garlic butter sauce clings to every bite, and how simple ingredients can create something so satisfying. It's one of those meals that makes me feel like I've pulled off a small miracle on a chaotic weeknight.
Best of all, my kids are just as into it as I am, which makes this an easy favorite in our house. You're going to love this easy shrimp dinner - it's great over rice, risotto or even on its own with a green side like garlic green beans.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- The rich garlic butter sauce adds tons of flavor with minimal ingredients.
- It's versatile-serve it with pasta, rice or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this easy buttery garlic shrimp at home:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Spinach
- Butter
- Shrimp
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
Here's how to make
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove onion and spinach from pan. Set aside.
- Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then cook shrimp for 5 minutes, flipping half way through. Shrimp will be nice and pink when cooked to an internal temperature of 120°F.
- Add the spinach and onion back to the pan and stir together with the shrimp. Remove from heat. Serve over grains.
Tips for Success
When you're making garlic butter shrimp, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to get a better sear and prevent excess liquid in the pan.
- Don't overcook the shrimp-pull them off the heat as soon as they turn pink and reach 120°F for the best texture.
- Use the same pan throughout to build flavor; sautéing the onion, garlic and spinach first infuses the butter with a savory base that enhances the shrimp.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
This Garlic Butter Shrimp is easy to dress up into a full meal with the right sides. Pair it with a simple green salad, grilled asparagus or steamed broccoli for a fresh contrast to the rich, buttery sauce. Or try one of these side dishes for shrimp.
Cheesy garlic bread or crusty baguette is perfect for soaking up every last drop. And if you're serving it as shrimp risotto or over some rice or orzo, the whole dish feels extra comforting and complete.
FAQ
Yes - just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid extra moisture in the pan.
You can substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan butter or olive oil, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Gently reheat the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out. Avoid the microwave, as it can make shrimp rubbery.
More shrimp recipes
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 ½ pounds shrimp deveined, tails can be left on
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove onion and spinach from pan. Set aside.
- Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then cook shrimp for 5 minutes, flipping half way through. Shrimp will be nice and pink when cooked to an internal temperature of 120°F.
- Add the spinach and onion back to the pan and stir together with the shrimp. Remove from heat. Serve over grains.
Nutrition
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We made this last night for dinner, and it was excellent! Not only was it simple and quick to make, but the flavors were fantastic. My entire family enjoyed it, and we will make this again!