This garlic butter shrimp recipe is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Made in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients and perfect for any weeknight.
Before You Cook, Read This!
💬 The Vibe: Buttery, garlicky, and perfectly tender shrimp in under 20 minutes. It’s simple but fancy-feeling—a little seafood magic, weeknight style.
🔑 What You Gotta Know: Shrimp cook fast, so prep everything before you turn on the heat. And don’t skimp on the butter—it creates that luscious sauce you’ll want to mop up with bread.
🍴 Best Bite Alert: Serve it warm with crusty bread, or toss it with pasta and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a full-on comfort meal.
Garlic Butter Shrimp is the kind of quick, crave-worthy meal that feels fancy but takes just minutes to make. It’s buttery, garlicky, and perfect for scooping up with crusty bread, or tossing with pasta when you want something fast and flavorful.
Looking for more shrimp recipes? Don’t miss my Easy Shrimp and Grits, Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil, or Shrimp Scampi.
Shrimp is one of my favorite go-to proteins when I want something lighter but still satisfying. It cooks fast, soaks up flavor beautifully, and you can take it straight from freezer to table in under an hour. That makes it perfect for busy weeknights or those times you forgot to thaw anything!
Today, I'm sharing my Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand. One big tip: use good-quality butter (I love a grass-fed option) for a rich, flavorful finish. Unsalted is ideal so you can season to your taste.
Let’s get into it!
Why You’ll Love These Shrimp
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Made with pantry staples
- Light yet satisfying
- Perfect for weeknights or date night
- Pairs with everything from pasta to salad
Ingredients You'll Need
- Shrimp - Medium-sized, peeled, and deveined (tail-on for presentation). Thawed if using frozen.
- Butter - Use high-quality butter for the best flavor. Unsalted gives you more control over the saltiness.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic is ideal for bold flavor, but jarred will do in a pinch.
- Chicken Broth - Adds savory depth. You can swap for white wine, seafood stock, or even veggie broth.
- Lemon Juice - Brightens the sauce and balances the richness.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Essential for seasoning. Start light, then taste and adjust.
- Fresh Parsley - Optional garnish, but adds a fresh finishing touch.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Season the shrimp generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Step 2: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until they start to turn pink.
Step 3: Add minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant—about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add remaining butter and stir until melted into the sauce.
Step 5: Add remaining butter and stir until melted into the sauce.
Step 6: Toss the shrimp to coat in the garlicky butter sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Swap chicken broth for white wine (like Pinot Grigio) for a more elevated flavor.
- Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter option.
- Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Even peeled and deveined shrimp may need a quick rinse and pat dry before cooking.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! Once they turn pink and opaque, they’re done.
- Fresh garlic will always give you the best flavor.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as you go. Don’t be afraid to add an extra squeeze of lemon or dash of salt.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp
This dish is super versatile! Here are a few ways to enjoy it:
- 🥖 With crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- 🍝 Over angel hair pasta for a fast shrimp scampi-style meal.
- 🌱 With zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- 🥗 As a protein topper for salads, soups, or grain bowls.
- 🦐 On its own as an appetizer!
Want To Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get comforting new recipes from us every week!
Storage Tips
Storage: Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, or microwave in short bursts until warmed through.
Want More Easy Seafood Meal Ideas? Try These:
Got a question or want to share how you served your Garlic Butter Shrimp? Drop it in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
Absolutely. Swap the butter for olive oil or your favorite vegan butter alternative.
Not as written, but it can be! Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you’d like some heat.
📖 Recipe
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 large skillet or braiser
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- juice on 1 lemon, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Begin the easy recipe by generously seasoning the 1 ½ pounds raw shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Using a large skillet or braiser over medium-high heat, add 4 tablespoons butter and allow it to melt and become slightly foamy. Saute the shrimp in the butter for about 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp begins to turn light pink.
- To the same skillet, add in the 5 cloves minced garlic stirring frequently until fragrant. Stir in the ¼ cup chicken broth and 2 tablespoons lemon juice and bring to a low boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer. Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter until melted and smooth.
- Gently toss the shrimp to coat in the butter-garlic mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while still warm with some crusty bread to dip in the sauce. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Even peeled and deveined shrimp may need a quick rinse and pat dry before cooking.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp—once they turn pink and opaque, they’re done.
- Fresh garlic will always give you the best flavor.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as you go. Don’t be afraid to add an extra squeeze of lemon or dash of salt.
Original post date 07/29/2020. Updated 01/10/2024 and 04/05/2025.
Patricia says
Hi. Will it work the same with vegetable or fish broth?
Thank you😉
LaKita says
Hi Patricia! Yes, it will work well with vegetable broth or fish/seafood broth. I just always seem to have chicken broth on hand.