Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful seafood dish perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy shrimp are sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with white wine, shallots, and fresh herbs, delivering a deliciously vibrant meal that pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, grits, or toasted bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- â…› teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 small shallot, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken broth)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- Cooked rice, pasta, grits, or toasted bread
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place them in a bowl. Season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to add a subtle heat and flavor.
- Sauté Shallot and Shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted. Add the minced shallot and cook for about 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant. Then, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute on each side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Add Wine and Garlic: Pour in the dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken broth as a substitute) and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Let it simmer and cook until the wine reduces by half and the shrimp are fully cooked through, infusing the dish with a rich garlicky flavor.
- Finish with Butter and Herbs: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to create a luscious sauce. Zest the lemon directly over the skillet, then squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the pan. Add the chopped rosemary or thyme if using, along with the chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything gently to combine the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the garlic butter shrimp immediately with lemon wedges on the side and your choice of cooked rice, pasta, grits, or toasted bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute low-sodium chicken broth for white wine if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left on heat too long.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley enhance the flavor but can be omitted based on preference.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread to enjoy the buttery sauce fully.
- For a spicier kick, increase cayenne pepper slightly to taste.
