Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe features succulent medium shrimp cooked in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Perfect for a quick and elegant meal, this dish combines tender shrimp with a buttery, garlicky sauce enhanced by fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Cook Shrimp: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Stir occasionally for even cooking, then set the cooked shrimp aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic to the remaining pan fat and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to let it burn.
- Add Liquids and Reduce: Pour in the chicken stock and freshly squeezed lemon juice, bringing the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, approximately 1-2 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Butter: Gradually stir in the remaining 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, adding one tablespoon at a time, stirring continuously until the sauce is melted and smooth, creating a rich, velvety texture.
- Combine Shrimp with Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss them in the garlic butter sauce, ensuring they are thoroughly coated without breaking them apart.
- Serve: Serve the garlic butter shrimp immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley leaves for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or crusty bread to make a complete meal.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to maintain tenderness and juiciness.
- Use fresh lemon juice to enhance brightness and flavor.
