Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe features succulent medium shrimp cooked to perfection in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with hints of lemon and fresh parsley. Perfect as an easy weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer, this dish comes together quickly on the stovetop for a delicious, savory seafood delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste, ensuring even coating for enhanced flavor.
- Cook Shrimp: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking and stirring occasionally until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, stir in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Create Sauce Base: Add chicken stock and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the skillet, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid reduces by half, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Butter: Gradually stir in the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter, adding one tablespoon at a time. Allow each addition to melt completely, producing a rich, smooth sauce.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss to coat them evenly in the garlic butter sauce.
- Serve: Serve the garlic butter shrimp immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley leaves if desired, for a fresh herbal finish.
Notes
- For additional flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic for a slight kick.
- Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Ensure shrimp are cooked just until pink to prevent them from becoming tough and rubbery.
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best vibrant flavor.
