Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Prepare shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them sear instead of steaming.

Make marinade

In a medium bowl combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Whisk briefly to combine.

Marinate

Add the dried shrimp to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Let sit 10–15 minutes at room temperature (up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator). Do not over-marinate to avoid a mushy texture.

Heat pan

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Swirl until butter is melted and begins to foam but not brown.

Sear sliced garlic

Add 2 cloves thinly sliced garlic to the pan. Sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Cook shrimp

Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook without moving 1–1.5 minutes until the underside turns pink and develops light brown sear marks. Flip and cook the other side 1–1.5 minutes until shrimp are opaque and curled into a loose C. Total cooking time will be about 2–3 minutes depending on shrimp size. Avoid overcooking.

Deglaze

Pour 1 tbsp white wine or low-sodium chicken broth into the pan to deglaze, scraping up brown bits with a wooden spoon. Cook 30–45 seconds to reduce slightly and meld flavors.

Finish and garnish

Turn off heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Transfer shrimp to a serving dish and squeeze lemon wedges over top to taste.

Serve

Serve immediately. Garlic shrimp pairs well with crusty bread, rice, pasta, or a simple salad to soak up the flavorful garlic butter sauce.