Crevettes À L'ail / Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Prepare shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with kosher salt, black pepper and the tablespoon of lemon juice. Let sit for 5–10 minutes while you prepare the sauce; drying and brief marination improves browning and flavor absorption.

Heat pan

Place a large skillet (10–12-inch) over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. When the butter has melted and the pan is hot (but not smoking), proceed.

Sear shrimp

Add the shrimp in a single layer (work in two batches if necessary to avoid crowding). Sear without moving for 1 to 1.5 minutes, until the underside is pink and lightly browned. Flip each shrimp and cook an additional 30–45 seconds until just cooked through (shrimp should be opaque and slightly firm). Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside — do not overcook.

Build sauce

Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté, stirring constantly, for 20–30 seconds until fragrant but not browned (browned garlic becomes bitter).

Deglaze and simmer

Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the wine simmer briskly for about 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the stock, lemon zest and red pepper flakes (if using) and simmer for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened.

Return shrimp to pan

Return the cooked shrimp and any accumulated juices on the plate to the skillet. Toss gently in the sauce for 30–60 seconds to heat through and coat each shrimp. Stir in the chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with additional salt or a squeeze of lemon if needed.

Transfer the shrimp and sauce to a warm serving dish or serve straight from the skillet. Garnish with extra chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Recommended serving: 2–3 shrimp per person as an appetizer, depending on appetite — this recipe yields enough for about 4 appetizer servings.