Name: Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup butter; 2 cloves garlic (finely minced); 1 ½ lb large shrimp (peeled and deviened); 1 pinch crushed chili peppers (optional); 1 pinch EACH: sea salt and pepper; 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (can substitute parsley); Lemon wedges (for serving)

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These easy-to-make lemon garlic butter shrimp are a weeknight meal dream! This simple recipe requires a handful of ingredients and is relatively fuss-free, with little cleanup to boot! It packs so much delicious flavor that you’ll be floored that it comes together in just 15 minutes.

a close up of Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp in a pan

Since this shrimp recipe uses so few ingredients, I always start with the best I can find. Fresh, sustainably harvested shrimp make a huge difference here, as do real lemon juice and freshly minced garlic. When the ingredient list is this short, each one really gets its moment to shine.

Everything comes together in about 15 minutes in a rich, zesty lemon garlic butter sauce that tastes far more special than the effort involved. It’s one of those reliable weeknight meals I turn to when I want something quick, simple, and genuinely delicious, with minimal planning.

I’ll serve it with a side of garlic toast, pasta, or rice, depending on the mood, and it pairs easily with whatever vegetables or sides I have on hand. Easy to make, easy to serve, and full of bright, buttery flavor—this is a no-brainer dinner that never disappoints.

Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp cooked in a skillet, tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges, served with a black serving spoon.

A plate of Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp garnished with parsley, served with lemon wedges and a slice of rustic bread.

How to serve lemon garlic butter shrimp

Shrimp are a versatile main and the sauce is, well, saucy and wonderful! There are many ways you can choose to serve lemon garlic butter shrimp and all are winners:

To start, lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta is a taste of heaven. You can also serve the shrimp over basmati rice or with toasted sourdough (which is how I tested this recipe and absolutely recommend it as a quick and delish option). It’s also delicious with lemon butter orzo. Add a simple side salad like my spring mix salad and dinner is complete!

A few notes about the ingredients

Butter: This provides the base for the sauce and adds that rich, creamy texture.
Garlic: Finely minced, fresh garlic for the best flavor. Jarred, minced garlic will also work. And garlic powder can work in a pinch but will produce a less intense garlic flavor.
Large shrimp: Raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp are your best bet. Make sure to thaw them if frozen.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed will add zest and balance to the rich butter.

Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Prep: 10

Cook: 5

Total: 15

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These easy to make lemon garlic butter shrimp are a weeknight-meal dream! This simple recipe requires a handful of ingredients and is relatively fuss-free, with little cleanup to boot! It packs so much delicious flavor that you'll be floored that it comes together in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

▢ ⅓ cup butter
▢ 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
▢ 1 ½ lb large shrimp (peeled and deviened)
▢ 1 pinch crushed chili peppers (optional)
▢ 1 pinch EACH: sea salt and pepper
▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
▢ 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (can substitute parsley)
▢ Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Melt butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
⅓ cup butter, 2 cloves garlic
Add the prawn prawns, chili flakes, salt, and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink. Be careful not to overcook or they will turn rubbery. Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro.
1 ½ lb large shrimp, 1 pinch crushed chili peppers, 1 pinch EACH: sea salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
Serve the prawns with lemon wedges on the side.
Lemon wedges

Notes

Shrimp: This recipe uses raw 31/40 shrimp. This means that there are 31 to 40 shrimp per pound. This recipe calls for 1 ½ pounds of shrimp, so you’ll get 12-15 shrimp per serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 258kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 23g (46%), Fat: 17g (26%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 255mg (85%), Sodium: 1094mg (48%), Potassium: 205mg (6%), Fiber: 0.02g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 786IU (16%), Vitamin C: 3mg (4%), Calcium: 97mg (10%), Iron: 0.4mg (2%)

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

A dinner table with Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp and bread

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Danielle

I just found your site, so happy I did. You have different recipe’s I want to try, especially this one and another one I emailed myself lol. I want to make this with the General Tso’s chicken with rice and broccoli. I am just exploring your website. Can’t wait to get your daily emails. Also happy to find so many Canadian websites too lol.
Thank you from Ottawa, Ont.

Kristen Stevens

Author

Reply to Danielle

Welcome!! I’m so happy you found your way here — and hello to Ottawa! 🇨🇦💛 General Tso’s chicken with rice and broccoli sounds like a perfect place to start. I’m so glad you’re here and can’t wait for you to start getting the emails. Thanks so much for the sweet note!

Holley

My family and I love eating this for dinner! The lemon sauce is absolutely delicious!

Janie

I really love making these shrimps. They’re super easy to make with lots of garlic and butter. I make them for lunch all the time.

Dawn

I made these at home – not camping! – and they were still great. Loved the flavor. I’ll keep this one in mind for next camping season!

Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp – Made in just 15 minutes!