DecideOnDinner
tired

Garlic Butter Shrimp Stew

When you need a warm, hearty meal that feels like a hug but takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Stew
Total
30 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
Calories
480
Cost
$$$/serving

After a long day, sometimes the only thing you want is a bowl of something warm and deeply comforting. This Garlic Butter Shrimp Stew hits that spot perfectly by combining succulent shrimp with a velvety, savory broth enriched by butter and aromatics. It feels like high-effort gourmet cooking, but it actually comes together in about 20 minutes because we skip the complicated techniques and stick to what works. The heavy hit of garlic and finished touch of herbs creates a rich profile that satisfies those deep dinner cravings. You can serve it as is for a cozy solo dinner or over some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the buttery goodness.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 4 unit cloves garlic — minced
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt

Method

  1. 1 Melt the butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  2. 2 Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  3. 3 Add the oregano and salt. Let the liquid simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly and develop flavor.
  4. 4 Add the shrimp to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4-6 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
  5. 5 Stir everything together one last time and serve warm in deep bowls.

Variations

  • Vegetarian Swap — Replace the shrimp with cubed firm tofu or extra-firm tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Extra Hearty — Add a handful of baby spinach at the very end; it will wilt into the sauce in about 60 seconds.

Notes

If you want a thicker consistency, whisk in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch before adding the shrimp.

Equipment that helps

  • Large Skillet — Allows for even heating and easy stirring of the heavy cream and butter base.

Find more dinners like this