Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
When you need a high-impact dinner that takes less than 20 minutes to cook and only uses one pan.
If you are staring at the stove tonight feeling completely drained, this lemon garlic butter shrimp is your secret weapon. It hits that perfect sweet spot where it feels like a sophisticated restaurant meal but requires very little effort from you. The main magic comes from the butter and lemon juice melting together to create a silky sauce that coats everything beautifully in minutes. You can make this on a weeknight when you just need a win, or serve it over pasta if you have an extra ten minutes. The scent of garlic hitting the hot pan is incredibly comforting and will make your kitchen feel like a sanctuary. It’s fast, it's punchy, and most importantly, there is only one pan to wash once you are done.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 unit garlic — minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes — optional for a little kick
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley — chopped
- 0.5 tsp salt
Method
- 1 Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and toss them in a bowl with the salt and red pepper flakes.
- 2 Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- 3 Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes until the bottom is opaque.
- 4 Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- 5 Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, lemon juice, and parsley.
- 6 Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the shrimp are fully cooked.
- 7 Remove from heat immediately and serve as is or over a bed of rice.
Variations
- Vegetarian Swap — Replace the shrimp with 1 lb of sliced zucchini and 1 cup of cherry tomatoes.
- Speedy Herb Version — Swap the fresh parsley for 1 teaspoon of dried oregano if you don't have fresh herbs on hand.
Notes
Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the shrimp to get that nice sear. If the sauce looks too thin, let it simmer for one extra minute at the end.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — A wide surface area ensures the shrimp sear quickly rather than steaming in their own juices.
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