Buttery Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Luscious Buttery Garlic Shrimp Recipe: A Tantalizing Seafood Treat

Shrimp sizzle with buttery garlic goodness in this mouthwatering buttery garlic shrimp recipe that promises an explosion of flavor.

Delicate seafood meets rich, aromatic ingredients for a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily create at home.

The combination of tender shrimp, melted butter, and fragrant garlic creates a symphony of taste that will tantalize your palate.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and smooth textures that melt in your mouth.

Fresh herbs and a hint of lemon brighten the entire dish, making it irresistibly delectable.

Simple yet elegant, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Prepare to impress everyone at the dinner table with this quick and delicious culinary masterpiece.

Cook Shrimp in a Rich Garlic Sauce

  • Sizzle Shrimp

Heat a pan with olive oil and butter. Drop shrimp into the skillet in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. Pull shrimp out and set aside.

  • Createal Garlic Sauce

In the same pan, toss minced garlic and let it dance for a minute. Pour chicken broth or wine, letting it bubble and lift all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.

  • Stir in Creamy Goodness

Blend heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning into the pan. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

  • Reunite Shrimp with Sauce

Return shrimp to the pan, coating them generously in the luscious sauce. Warm everything together for 1-2 minutes.

  • Final Flourish

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread for a mouthwatering meal.

Tips That Keep Shrimp Juicy Every Time

  • Remove shrimp from heat just when they turn pink to prevent overcooking and rubbery texture.
  • Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to personalize heat – less for mild, more for fiery kick or omit completely for zero spiciness.
  • Replace shrimp with chicken breast or tofu for different protein options that work beautifully with the creamy garlic sauce.
  • Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.

Serve With Rice, Pasta, or Bread

  • Pasta Paradise: Toss the creamy garlic shrimp over al dente linguine or fettuccine for a classic Italian-inspired dinner that feels luxurious and comforting.
  • Zesty Rice Bowl: Pile the succulent shrimp and velvety sauce over fluffy white or brown rice, creating a protein-packed meal with incredible depth of flavor.
  • Bread Dipper Delight: Serve alongside warm, crusty French bread or toasted garlic crostini to soak up every last drop of the rich, decadent sauce – perfect for casual gatherings or romantic dinners.
  • Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the dish and enhance the seafood's natural sweetness.

Chill Leftovers and Reheat Gently

  • Store leftover Creamy Garlic Shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum.
  • Gently warm the dish in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain sauce consistency and prevent drying out the delicate shrimp.
  • While possible to freeze, cream-based sauces can separate upon thawing, so fresh consumption is recommended for the best taste and texture experience.
  • When meal prepping, store sauce and shrimp separately to maintain optimal quality, mixing just before reheating to prevent soggy seafood and preserve the sauce's smooth texture.

FAQs

  • What makes the garlic sauce so creamy?

The sauce gets its creamy texture from a combination of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. When these ingredients are simmered together, they create a rich, smooth consistency that perfectly coats the shrimp.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. This helps achieve a nice sear and prevents the shrimp from becoming watery.

  • How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque, and form a loose “C” shape. If they curl into a tight “O” shape, they’re overcooked and might become tough and rubbery.

  • Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild kick from optional red pepper flakes. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less, or omitting them entirely for a completely mild dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 635 kcal

Servings: 4

Garlic Shrimp Ingredient Highlights

For Protein:
  • Shrimp: Sweet ocean treasure that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully; select fresh or frozen jumbo or large shrimp with firm, glistening appearance.
For Fat and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich golden base with irresistible depth; choose unsalted butter for better seasoning control.
For Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Garlic: Powerful flavor catalyst that transforms entire dish; select fresh cloves with firm, plump texture and no green sprouts.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Essential flavor boosters that create multilayered taste sensation; use freshly ground black pepper for maximum potency.
For Liquid Components:
  • Chicken Broth, White Wine: Provides sophisticated liquid base with complex undertones; select low-sodium broth or dry white wine for balanced taste.
For Creamy Enrichment:
  • Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creates luxurious, silky sauce with nutty undertones; choose freshly grated Parmesan for superior melting quality.
For Herbal Accents:
  • Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Parsley: Delivers vibrant color and aromatic complexity; select fresh parsley with bright green leaves for garnish.

Tools to Sauté and Simmer Shrimp Perfectly

  • Large Skillet: Essential for searing shrimp and creating the creamy sauce, preferably with a thick bottom for even heat distribution.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and scraping browned bits from the pan without scratching the surface.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings like salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp blade needed for mincing garlic and chopping fresh parsley.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.
  • Tongs: Useful for flipping and moving shrimp during cooking.
Print
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Buttery Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Buttery Garlic Shrimp Recipe


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4.9 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy garlic shrimp delivers a luxurious seafood experience straight from Mediterranean coastal kitchens. Delicate prawns swim in rich, herb-infused sauce with garlic and white wine, inviting you to savor each sumptuous bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cream, heavy
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter, unsalted
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning, dried
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ tsp paprika, ground (optional)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or white wine
  • Parsley, fresh, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a fragrant foundation for cooking.
  2. Shrimp Preparation: Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, then arrange in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and translucent. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Aromatic Enhancement: Without cleaning the skillet, sauté minced garlic until its intense fragrance permeates the kitchen, then deglaze the pan with chicken broth or white wine, scraping up caramelized flavor remnants.
  4. Sauce Creation: Whisk in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and paprika, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, developing a rich, velvety consistency while intensifying the flavor profile.
  5. Final Assembly: Return seared shrimp to the creamy sauce, gently coating each piece and warming through for an additional minute. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately alongside pasta, steamed rice, or crusty bread to capture the luxurious sauce’s full essence.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh Shrimp: Select large, deveined shrimp for maximum flavor and tender texture, ensuring they’re not rubbery or overcooked.
  • Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning garlic and ensure even cooking of shrimp without becoming tough or chewy.
  • Quick Shrimp Searing: Cook shrimp precisely 2-3 minutes per side to achieve perfect pink color and prevent rubbery consistency, removing immediately when translucent.
  • Customize Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for a richer reduction or adding extra broth if too thick, creating personalized creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 505
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 660 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 270 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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