If you’ve ever been caught in a love affair with garlic, butter, and seafood, then grab your aprons because this lemon butter garlic shrimp sauté is your tailor-made kitchen romance.

Relish the delicious flavors of my shrimp in garlic lemon butter sauce. I adore how the savory shrimp meets zesty lemon, not too far off its natural habitat, but mixed with something truly luscious: an aromatic garlic butter sauce.
Not only is this dish easy and quick to cook (especially if you use shrimp that are already peeled and deveined), but it’s also an absolute taste bomb that I plan to try soon.
Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe Ingredients

- Shrimp: High in protein and low in calories; rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Olive Oil: Heart-healthy fats; contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor; known for its immune-boosting compounds.
- Lemon Juice: Provides tartness; rich in Vitamin C and aids digestion.
- Parsley: Fresh, grassy flavor; high in vitamins A and C and antioxidants.
Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
- Lemon wedges, for serving
How to Make this Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe
1. Wash the shrimp in cold water, and dry them thoroughly with paper towels.
2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil over a medium to big flame.
3. Make it a point to put the shrimp in the skillet, and give them a healthy dousing of salt and fresh ground black pepper. Cook them and only them until some semblance of pinkity has started to take hold on the shrimp, completely about 1-2 minutes per side. Save the shrimp for later and dump the skillet. Whenever you see the word “add” in a recipe, it means your next step is to combine the listed ingredients together in a bowl, pot, pan, or other favorable mound.
4. In the same frying pan, turn the heat down to medium and add the unseasoned butter.
5. When the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté them for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant.
6. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Simmer for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to blend.
7. Toss the shrimp in the garlic lemon butter sauce to coat them well after returning them to the skillet.
8. Saute for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque.
9. Take it off the heat and add freshly chopped parsley leaves.
10. Serve without delay, accompanied by lemon wedges and a small plate.
Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large frying pan
2. Bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Chef’s knife
5. Cutting board
6. Paper towels
7. Tongs or spatula
8. Plate (for serving)
FAQ
- Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?You can use shrimp from the freezer. Just ensure they are completely defrosted and dry before cooking.
- What can I substitute for parsley?If you lack parsley, you may substitute cilantro or basil for a different flavor profile.
- How can I make it spicier?To amplify the heat, boost the quantity of red pepper flakes or introduce a fragment of ground cayenne pepper.
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?Indeed, but keep in mind to lessen the added salt in the recipe to even out the flavors.
- Is lemon juice from a bottle okay?It is recommended that freshly squeezed lemon juice be used because of its bright, vibrant flavor, but in a pinch, bottled juice can serve as a substitute.
- What side dishes go well with this recipe?This shrimp goes well with rice, pasta, or a crisp green salad.
- Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?It is optimal to relish it shortly after it has been cooked, but you can ready the components beforehand and sauté the shrimp moments before dropping them into the bowls.
Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe Substitutions and Variations
You can use 2 tablespoons of coconut oil instead of olive oil if you want the dish to have a hint of coconut flavor.
Substitute unsalted butter with ghee for a taste that’s richer and nuttier.
Cayenne pepper, measuring 1/4 teaspoon, can take the place of red pepper flakes and present a different heat profile.
Alternative juice can be used in place of lemon juice if adding a different citrus element. Lime juice can add that different citrus element.
Pro Tips
1. Patience is Key with Garlic When adding garlic to the butter, make sure to sauté it just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Overcooking garlic can cause it to become bitter, so keep a close eye on it.
2. Control the Heat Start with medium-high heat to sear the shrimp quickly, then lower the heat when melting the butter and sautéing garlic. This ensures that the garlic and butter do not burn while the flavors meld together nicely.
3. Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Shrimp cook very quickly. They’re done when they turn from translucent to opaque with a slight pink tint. Avoid overcooking by removing them from heat as soon as they change color to prevent a rubbery texture.
4. Brighten with Citrus Add a bit of lemon zest along with the juice for an extra citrusy punch. Zest contains the fragrant citrus oils that enhance the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
5. Finish with Freshness Add parsley at the very end to preserve its fresh, vibrant flavor and color. You can also consider adding other fresh herbs like chives or dill for additional layers of flavor.

Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe
My favorite Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large frying pan
2. Bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Chef’s knife
5. Cutting board
6. Paper towels
7. Tongs or spatula
8. Plate (for serving)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions:
1. Wash the shrimp in cold water, and dry them thoroughly with paper towels.
2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil over a medium to big flame.
3. Make it a point to put the shrimp in the skillet, and give them a healthy dousing of salt and fresh ground black pepper. Cook them and only them until some semblance of pinkity has started to take hold on the shrimp, completely about 1-2 minutes per side. Save the shrimp for later and dump the skillet. Whenever you see the word “add” in a recipe, it means your next step is to combine the listed ingredients together in a bowl, pot, pan, or other favorable mound.
4. In the same frying pan, turn the heat down to medium and add the unseasoned butter.
5. When the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté them for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant.
6. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Simmer for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to blend.
7. Toss the shrimp in the garlic lemon butter sauce to coat them well after returning them to the skillet.
8. Saute for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque.
9. Take it off the heat and add freshly chopped parsley leaves.
10. Serve without delay, accompanied by lemon wedges and a small plate.

















