Lemon Butter Shrimp is one of those quick and delicious dinners that tastes far more impressive than the effort required. Juicy shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley.
Ready in about 20 minutes, this flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup chicken broth or seafood broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely instead of releasing too much water into the pan.
Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear the Shrimp
Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink, opaque, and curl into a loose C shape.
Avoid overcooking them because shrimp can become rubbery.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Add the chicken or seafood broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the Lemon
Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
Add the red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and become more flavorful.
5. Return the Shrimp
Place the cooked shrimp back into the skillet.
Toss gently to coat each shrimp in the lemon butter sauce.
Cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until everything is heated through.
6. Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat and sprinkle the shrimp with fresh parsley.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and spoon plenty of the garlic butter sauce over the top.
What to Serve With Lemon Butter Shrimp
This shrimp is incredibly versatile. Serve it with:
- Buttered or garlic pasta
- Steamed white rice
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Angel hair pasta
- Crusty French bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed broccoli
- A fresh green salad
For a complete meal, serve the shrimp over pasta with the extra lemon butter sauce spooned generously over everything.
Helpful Tips
Use fresh lemon: Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce a much brighter flavor than bottled juice.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Remove them from the pan as soon as they’re opaque and cooked through.
Pat shrimp dry: This helps them sear instead of steam.
Don’t burn the garlic: Keep the heat moderate after adding the garlic. Burnt garlic can make the entire sauce bitter.
Adjust the lemon: If you prefer a milder lemon flavor, start with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and add more to taste.
Easy Variations
Creamy Lemon Butter Shrimp
Add ½ cup heavy cream after the broth and simmer gently until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan for an extra-rich sauce.
Spicy Lemon Butter Shrimp
Increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Toss the finished shrimp and sauce with cooked linguine or spaghetti. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Honey Lemon Shrimp
Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the sauce for a subtle sweet-and-savory flavor.
Parmesan Lemon Shrimp
Finish with ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra parsley.
Storage
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a small splash of broth or water. Avoid prolonged reheating because shrimp can become tough.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Butter Shrimp is bright, buttery, garlicky, and incredibly easy to make. The combination of tender shrimp, rich butter, fragrant garlic, and fresh lemon creates a flavorful sauce that you’ll want to spoon over everything.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and one skillet, you can have a delicious seafood dinner on the table in about 20 minutes.