By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 19, 2023
This garlic butter shrimp is one of my favorite shrimp recipes. Buttered shrimp with garlic, chili, and just a little bit of crushed red pepper has the perfect balance of flavors. It makes a great appetizer before dinner or to serve at a party, but can also be the perfect main dish! I probably make this garlicky shrimp at least once a month!
What’s in this Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe?
This buttered shrimp recipe is so delicious! It’s got garlic, it’s got lemon juice, it’s got a chili pepper paste to give it some spice…it’s got it all! And it’s such an easy thing to make since the shrimp cooks so fast. If I’m in the mood for shrimp but looking for something a little lighter, this air fryer shrimp with garlic is perfect.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and a slight creaminess to the dish.
- Shrimp: Any size of shrimp will work. Your cooking time will vary depending on how large your shrimp are, so keep a close eye on them.
- Garlic Paste: Adds a pungent and earthy flavor to the shrimp.
- Chili Pepper Paste: Any kind works. I used Italian chili pepper paste, but Harissa or gochujang will also work.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a pop of freshness and acidity.
- Spices : Dried parsley adds a pop of color and an herbal flavor, while crushed red pepper flakes add just a touch of spice!
Variations To Try
If you absolutely love that buttery flavor, you can definitely add more butter as you see fit toward the end of cooking. You can also adjust the spice level by using more or less chili pepper paste and red pepper flakes. If you’re not in the mood for spicy, you can omit the chili pepper paste and just use garlic.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover garlic butter shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan with a little bit of butter set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze buttered shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many things you can do with this spicy shrimp. I like to use it in this shrimp and grits appetizer cup or these shrimp tacos for a spicy kick. You can also serve it simply with white rice , homemade pasta , or a salad .
Notes from the Test Kitchen
If you prefer to use frozen, cooked shrimp, you’ll want to cook just long enough to heat through, about 1 minute.
5-Star Review
“Awesome recipe! Isn’t shrimp just the best? So quick to cook up and amazingly versatile, sweet, spicy, savory, rich and buttery or lean with an easy low cal sauce, grilled, sauteed, salads, the possibilities are endless. Thank you!” -Catherine Lee
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided (½ stick)
- ▢ 1 pound raw shrimp cleaned, peeled, and deveined
- ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste or red pepper paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ▢ ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
Video
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet set over medium-high heat. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste. 1 pound raw shrimp, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Toss the shrimp into the skillet and add in the garlic paste and chili pepper paste. Stir to combine. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste
- Stir in the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring to fully combine. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Sprinkle with dried herbs and serve. 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Becky’s Tips
- Cooked shrimp are an opaque white color with some pink and bright red accents and 120°F internally.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Step by Step
Melt the Butter: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet set over medium-high heat.
Season the Shrimp: Season 1 pound of raw shrimp with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Shrimp: Toss the shrimp into the skillet and add in 1 teaspoon of garlic paste and 1 tablespoon of chili pepper paste. Stir to combine. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Toss and Serve: Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring to fully combine. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of dried parsley dried and ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and serve.
More Shrimp Recipes To Try
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Skillet Chipotle Shrimp
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Creamy Parmesan Shrimp
- Honey Sesame Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided (½ stick)
- 1 pound raw shrimp cleaned, peeled, and deveined
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste or red pepper paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet set over medium-high heat. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste. 1 pound raw shrimp, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Toss the shrimp into the skillet and add in the garlic paste and chili pepper paste. Stir to combine. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste
- Stir in the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring to fully combine. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Sprinkle with dried herbs and serve. 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Video
Notes
- Cooked shrimp are an opaque white color with some pink and bright red accents and 120°F internally.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
