When you need a flavorful dinner without spending all evening in the kitchen, Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is an excellent choice.
Tender shrimp are quickly seared until juicy, then tossed in a silky sauce made with butter, fresh garlic, cream, Parmesan, and lemon. The combination is rich and comforting while the lemon adds just enough freshness to balance the creamy sauce.
Even better, the entire dish can be ready in about 20 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon, about 2 tbsp
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or cooking cream
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the shrimp
Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season them with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp develop better color when they hit the hot skillet.
Cook the shrimp
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside. Avoid overcooking them because they’ll return to the sauce later.
Make the garlic butter sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the same skillet.
Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Don’t let it brown too much.
Add the red pepper flakes if you want a little heat, followed by the fresh lemon juice.
Make it creamy
Reduce the heat slightly and pour in the heavy cream.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer before stirring in the freshly grated Parmesan.
Continue stirring until the Parmesan has melted and the sauce is smooth and lightly thickened.
Combine
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss them in the creamy garlic butter sauce.
Allow everything to simmer together for another 1–2 minutes, just long enough to warm the shrimp.
Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
Serve
Remove from the heat and sprinkle generously with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Serve immediately with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy garlic sauce.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp
Use large or jumbo shrimp when possible because they’re easier to cook without drying out.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than packaged pre-shredded cheese and helps create a smoother sauce.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer after adding the cream. High heat can cause creamy sauces to separate.
For extra freshness, squeeze a little additional lemon juice over the finished shrimp just before serving.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
For a complete meal, pair it with fluffy white rice, linguine, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or a simple salad.
Crusty bread is another great choice because none of that garlic-Parmesan sauce has to go to waste.
Storage
Store leftover shrimp and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently over low heat, adding a small splash of cream or milk if the sauce has become too thick. Avoid overheating, as shrimp can quickly become tough.
Final Note
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp proves that a quick dinner doesn’t have to be boring. Garlic, butter, Parmesan, lemon, and tender shrimp create a restaurant-style dish with simple ingredients and only about 20 minutes of cooking time.