Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
If you’re searching for a show-stopping yet effortless seafood dish, the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp is about to become your new favorite. This recipe delivers everything you crave: tender, juicy shrimp bathed in a bright, buttery lemon garlic sauce, all prepared in just 20 minutes. The irresistible aroma of garlic and citrus fills the kitchen as the shrimp sizzle, making it impossible not to sneak a taste straight from the pan. Whether you’re planning a special dinner or a speedy weeknight meal, this shrimp recipe always delivers bold flavor and restaurant-quality results with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp unforgettable is its balance of simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, contributing fresh flavors, richness, or just the right touch of brightness to make the dish sing.
- Large shrimp: Look for peeled and deveined shrimp with tails on for easy eating and beautiful presentation.
- Unsalted butter: Adds luscious richness and helps carry the flavors of garlic and lemon throughout the sauce.
- Olive oil: Prevents the butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity note.
- Garlic cloves: The foundation of flavor, garlic infuses every bite with savory depth.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, but a pinch gives the shrimp just enough heat to keep things interesting.
- Lemon (juice and zest): The star ingredient, lemon brings zippy freshness and a pop of color.
- Dry white wine or chicken broth: Deglazes the pan, lifting all those tasty browned bits for a beautiful, complex sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Just a handful, chopped and sprinkled, delivers herbal brightness and a burst of green.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the shrimp and enhancing every flavor.
- Black pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and rounds out the dish.
- Lemon wedges: For serving, a squeeze over the finished shrimp takes the flavor to the next level.
How to Make Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Step 1: Prep and Season the Shrimp
Start by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels—this little step helps them sear beautifully instead of steaming. Lightly season the shrimp all over with salt and pepper. It’s a simple move, but it ensures every bite is flavorful from the inside out.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes
Heat the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and, if you like a little kick, the red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30 seconds—just until the kitchen smells irresistible and the garlic turns fragrant, but not browned.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Turn up the heat to medium-high and add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes, then flip and cook the other side until they’re pink, opaque, and just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside—you don’t want to overcook them!
Step 4: Deglaze and Build the Sauce
With the pan still hot, pour in the white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. This is where the magic happens: all those flavorful bits dissolve into the liquid. Add the lemon juice and zest, then let the sauce simmer for 1–2 minutes so it reduces slightly and becomes ultra-flavorful.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return the shrimp (and any juices they’ve released) back to the skillet, tossing to coat them in the luscious lemon garlic sauce. Cook for just one more minute to bring everything together. Remove from the heat, sprinkle generously with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing. The Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp is ready to wow!
How to Serve Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Garnishes
Finish your platter with a shower of freshly chopped parsley and a few extra lemon wedges. The parsley brightens up the whole dish with color and freshness, while the lemon allows everyone to add another zingy pop just before eating.
Side Dishes
The Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp is versatile and pairs beautifully with all sorts of sides. Toss it over hot pasta to soak up that glorious sauce, spoon it atop fluffy rice, or serve with crusty bread for dipping. Even a simple green salad makes a perfect, light complement to the rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the shrimp as an appetizer on skewers, or pile them onto toasted baguette slices for a speedy shrimp bruschetta. You can also toss them into a grain bowl with quinoa and roasted veggies, or layer them over creamy polenta for a cozy, impressive dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp left over, let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to two days. The flavors actually develop a bit more overnight, making leftovers a real treat!
Freezing
While shrimp can be frozen, the fresh lemon and garlic sauce is best enjoyed right away. If you do freeze leftovers, seal them tightly and store for up to one month. Be aware that the texture of the shrimp may be a little softer after thawing, but the flavors will still shine.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the shrimp rubbery. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed, and serve immediately for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and ensures that gorgeous sear for the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp.
What’s the best substitute for white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, an equal amount of chicken broth works beautifully. It adds savory depth without any alcohol, and you won’t miss a thing in the final flavor.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can swap the butter for extra olive oil or use a plant-based butter substitute. The result is still packed with flavor and keeps the signature zing of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp.
How do I know when the shrimp are done?
Shrimp cook quickly! They’re done as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking makes them tough, so keep a close eye and remove them from the heat as soon as they’re just cooked through.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure that any broth you use is certified gluten-free, and serve with gluten-free sides if needed.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp enough. It’s everything you want in a weeknight recipe: fast, foolproof, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re new to cooking shrimp or a seasoned pro, this is one dish you’ll find yourself making on repeat—so gather your ingredients, invite someone you love, and dig in!
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Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a buttery garlic sauce with a zesty lemon twist, perfect for a quick Mediterranean-inspired weeknight dinner that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with the 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
- Heat the Butter and Oil: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until hot and shimmering.
- Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Add the minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional) to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the Skillet: Pour 1/4 cup of dry white wine or chicken broth into the skillet and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. This adds depth to the sauce.
- Add Lemon Juice and Zest: Stir in the juice and zest of 1 lemon and let the sauce simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine Shrimp with Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat evenly in the lemon garlic sauce, and cook for an additional 1 minute to warm through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley over the shrimp, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra fresh citrus flavor.
Notes
- This dish pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious lemon garlic sauce.
- For extra richness, add an additional tablespoon of butter at the end before tossing the shrimp in the sauce.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes amount to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Using dry white wine enhances flavor but chicken broth is a great non-alcoholic substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1/4 pound shrimp
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
