FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• More Easy Shrimp Recipes
• My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe
• Garlic Butter Shrimp (10 Minutes) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

I’m convinced garlic butter is the shortcut to making any dinner better (see my garlic butter chicken or buttery baked tilapia for proof!). My garlic butter shrimp recipe is just one more reason to love it. Not only does it create instant flavor for those juicy little shrimp, but this dish also cooks so fast. It’s like my sauteed shrimp , but with extra richness.

Why You’ll Love My Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

• Juicy, tender shrimp – I’d never settle for a tough, rubbery texture, so I use my standard cook time for the perfectly juicy shrimp. Plus, the aromatics and butter lock in the flavor while keeping your shrimp tender.
• Rich lemon garlic butter sauce – This sauce tastes so luxurious, but comes together fast and easy. You might find yourself putting it on other proteins, too. ? (I use a similar method for my pan seared scallops .)
• Just 7 simple ingredients – You might think that restaurant-worthy shrimp need a lot of ingredients, but the opposite is true. Most of these are staples in my kitchen!
• Ready in 10 minutes – Yes, you read that right! There’s a reason I keep this garlic butter shrimp on rotation for nights when I want a seafood dinner in a flash. And so should you.
• Versatile – I usually serve it as a main dish for weeknights, but you can also offer this to guests as an appetizer!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my garlic butter shrimp recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Shrimp – My cook times below assume you have large shrimp, which is typically labeled 31/40 at the store. You can make this recipe using other sizes, but the cook time will vary very slightly, just by a minute or two. Make sure your shrimp are raw, not pre-cooked; otherwise they’ll end up over -cooked. Peel and devein them (or buy already peeled and deveined ones like I do), but leave the tails on.
• Butter – Use unsalted butter, so you can control the salt in this dish. Ghee or butter alternatives work okay if you’re sensitive to lactose.
• Lemon Juice – I almost always make my garlic butter shrimp with fresh lemon juice, as it’s such a big component, but you can also use bottled for convenience.
• Garlic – Use fresh for best flavor or 2 teaspoons of jarred for convenience. In a pinch, you could substitute the fresh minced garlic with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, but the intensity isn’t really the same.
• Fresh Parsley – I usually use curly parsley, but you can use curly or flat leaf parsley. Other light herbs, such as dill or chives, would also work well.
• Spices – Red pepper flakes , sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to add other spices if you like, such as paprika or even Italian seasoning .
• Olive Oil – Because butter is not great for high-heat cooking, I prefer not to saute the shrimp in garlic butter the entire time, but instead saute in olive oil first and add the butter only toward the end. Avocado oil is also great for sauteing.

How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mash together the butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
2. Season the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and season with the salt and pepper. (You can add other spices here if you like!)

1. Sauté the shrimp on one side. Heat the oil in cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for a couple of minutes. It should start to turn a little pink, but won’t be completely opaque.
2. Flip and add garlic butter. Cook the shrimp on the other side, basting with the butter as it melts, until opaque.

1. Enjoy! Season the garlic butter shrimp with more salt and pepper if it needs it. I like to serve mine with the garlic butter sauce from the pan, lemon wedges, and chopped parsley.

My Recipe Tips

• Get shrimp with tails on if you can. Cooking them with the tails gives them more flavor! You can always remove them for serving, if you plan to toss the shrimp with pasta or just want to eat them with a fork.
• Don’t worry if the lemon juice does not fully incorporate into the butter. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t, but I’ve never noticed any difference in the final dish. The butter will melt later on, anyway.
• Make variations by using different compound butter combos. The first step in my garlic butter shrimp recipe is similar to how I make compound butter , except with fresh lemon juice added. You could totally use other compound butter flavors by changing up the herbs or adding spices. But don’t leave out the lemon!
• Don’t move the shrimp around while cooking. I think this dish tastes best when the shrimp gets a little browning, and moving it around prevents this.
• Add the garlic butter in small pieces. I like to dot them evenly over the shrimp, because the flavor distributes more evenly compared to just letting it melt from one piece.
• Be careful not to overcook. Shrimp cooks very fast, and becomes rubbery fast, too. Just a couple of minutes per side is all you need. By the time I arrange all the shrimp in the pan, it’s usually already time to flip the first ones!

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep garlic butter shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. I like to use leftovers to make creamy shrimp salad or my lighter shrimp avocado salad , so that I don’t have to reheat.
• Reheat: Shrimp overcooks easily when reheating, but if you need to, do it in a hot skillet for just a couple of minutes, with some additional garlic butter if possible. I don’t recommend using the microwave, as it becomes rubbery.
• Freeze: Let the shrimp cool to room temperature first. I always arrange it in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze for at least 20 minutes first, to prevent sticking together. Then you can transfer to a zip lock bag and place back into the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many sides you can pair with my butter garlic shrimp! Here are some easy options for you:

• Veggies – Since this recipe takes just 10 minutes, I choose quick veggie sides like sauteed kale or sauteed broccoli most often. If you’re in the mood for roasted asparagus or roasted zucchini , or want to get fancy with my smashed brussels sprouts , start your side before the shrimp so it’s all done at the same time.
• Noodles – My favorite way to serve this juicy garlic butter shrimp is over some zucchini noodles (which is my favorite for shrimp scampi ) or baked spaghetti squash (though I’ve done microwave spaghetti squash when I’m in a hurry). You could serve it over your favorite pasta, too. And let me just say, if you’re serving the shrimp over noodles, you won’t ever regret doubling the amount of garlic butter to have some extra sauce. 😉
• Rice – A simple side of white or brown rice makes a classic choice. If you prefer a lighter side like me, try cauliflower rice .
• Salad – Although you could add this shrimp over a salad for a quick and easy lunch, I like to serve a side salad, such as my asparagus salad or my daughter’s favorite kale salad .

More Easy Shrimp Recipes

If you like this garlic butter shrimp recipe, you might like some of these other ways I make it:

Surf And Turf

Air Fryer Shrimp

Coconut Shrimp

Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon

Grilled Shrimp

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe

I use this cast iron skillet , because it heats up so well and creates that perfect sear! Any medium to large skillet will work, but you may want to use medium-high heat if your pan doesn’t conduct heat as well as my cast iron does.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley ▢
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes ▢
• 1 lb Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably with tails left on) ▢
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, mash together the butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes. (The lemon juice may not fully incorporate, which is fine.) Set aside.
2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium cast iron skillet over medium heat, until shimmering. Keep the garlic herb butter nearby.
4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook, without moving, for 1-2 minutes, until browned on the bottom.
5. Flip the shrimp and immediately add the garlic herb butter to the pan around the shrimp in pieces. Sear the shrimp for 1-2 more minutes, basting them with the butter occasionally, until the butter melts and the shrimp is opaque.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 lb shrimp, or 1/4 entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Garlic Butter Shrimp (10 Minutes)

This easy garlic butter shrimp recipe combines juicy shrimp with a simple lemon garlic butter sauce. Make it for dinner in just 10 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/lemon-garlic-butter-shrimp/

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1 lb Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably with tails left on)
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mash together the butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes. (The lemon juice may not fully incorporate, which is fine.) Set aside.
2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium cast iron skillet over medium heat, until shimmering. Keep the garlic herb butter nearby.
4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook, without moving, for 1-2 minutes, until browned on the bottom.
5. Flip the shrimp and immediately add the garlic herb butter to the pan around the shrimp in pieces. Sear the shrimp for 1-2 more minutes, basting them with the butter occasionally, until the butter melts and the shrimp is opaque.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 lb shrimp, or 1/4 entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)