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Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe with Crispy Edges Easy and Perfect

savory garlic butter shrimp - featured image

A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp recipe featuring crispy edges, rich buttery flavor, and fresh lemon zest and parsley for a vibrant, comforting dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 45 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of large shrimp under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika if using. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Finely mince 4-5 garlic cloves and chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley. Zest 1 teaspoon of lemon and squeeze 1 tablespoon of fresh juice.
  4. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30g). Let the butter melt completely and start to bubble but not brown, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add shrimp in a single layer without overlapping. Cook for 2 minutes without moving them to get crispy edges. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.
  6. Push shrimp to the sides and add remaining 2 tablespoons (30g) butter along with minced garlic to the center of the pan. Stir garlic gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  7. Mix the shrimp with garlic butter, add lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Toss to coat evenly. Adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Transfer shrimp to a warm plate and spoon extra garlic butter over top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Add garlic only after shrimp are mostly cooked to prevent bitterness. Use quality butter for best flavor and browning. For extra crispiness, finish under a broiler for 1 minute but watch carefully to avoid burning. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently on stovetop.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, crispy shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, seafood, buttery shrimp, weeknight meal, appetizer