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lemon garlic butter shrimp stacked on white plate topped with fresh cilantro

Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp

Juicy shrimp sautéed in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce, packed with bold flavor and perfect for any meal. Quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Creole
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 250kcal
Author: Marwin Brown

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • 12 jumbo Shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee

For the Sauce

  • 3 tablespoon Butter
  • 3-4 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 Lemon Juiced
  • Fresh Cilantro finely chopped
  • 2-3 Green Onions diced

Instructions

Prep the Shrimp:

  • If using fresh shrimp, peel removing the shells and tails away from each shrimp. Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife cut a shallow slice down the spine of the shrimp and devein them by pulling the thin black vein away with your fingers. Optionally you can leave the tails on for presentation.
  • Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel—this helps them sear properly instead of steaming.

Season the Shrimp:

  • Mix your dry spices together in a ramekin or small bowl. Place the dried shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Add the spice mix to the shrimp and toss them well ensuring each piece of shrimp is well coated with the spices. This will help to make for a flavorful crust.

Heat the Pan:

  • Use a large heavy bottomed skillet and heat over medium heat. Add a spoonful of ghee to the pan and allow to melt. Make sure the entire cooking surface of the pan is coated with the melted ghee or butter if you're using.

Sear the Shrimp:

  • Cook in a single layer for about 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and slightly golden at the edges.
  • Remove the shrimp from the pan to avoid overcooking.

Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • Reduce the heat to medium.
  • Add butter, minced garlic, and green onions, stirring until fragrant. Mix in a teaspoon of the spice mixture.
  • Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and stir in chopped cilantro for a burst of flavor.

Coat the Shrimp:

  • Place the shrimp on a large serving platter. Pour the pain sauce generously over the shrimp. Reserve a portion to use as a dip.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges

Notes

  1. Use Fresh Shrimp Whenever Possible:
    • The fresher the shrimp, the sweeter and juicier the bite. Frozen shrimp can be used but thaw first. I also prefer larger jumbo shrimp. It's a lot harder to overcook bigger ones too.
  2. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:
    • Shrimp cooks fast! Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery, so stick to 1-2 minutes per side on medium high heat.
  3. Ghee Alternative:
    • Plain butter or olive oil works well in place of ghee
  4. Balance the Butter:
    • Too much can make the dish heavy, so balance it with enough acidity from the lemon juice. Also add a little lemon zest for more of that lemony vibe and essence
  5. Experiment with Spice:
    • Want a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
  6. Let the Flavors Meld:
    • After tossing the shrimp in the sauce, let them sit for a minute before serving to fully absorb the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 1303mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1173IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
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