Description
Succulent garlic butter shrimp dance with zesty flavors in this Mediterranean-inspired seafood delight. Crisp herbs and rich butter elevate each tender morsel, promising a quick, elegant meal that transports you to coastal paradise.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (16 ounces) fresh or thawed frozen shrimp
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 4 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Clean and prepare shrimp by removing shells and deveining. Finely chop fresh garlic and parsley for quick access.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature, melting butter until it creates a light, foamy surface.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer across the skillet, ensuring no overlap. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side until they transform to a vibrant pink and become translucent.
- Carefully transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, maintaining their delicate texture.
- In the same skillet, introduce remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for roughly 60 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors and creating a golden base.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the butter-garlic mixture, adding a subtle hint of warmth and complexity.
- Gently return shrimp to the skillet, drizzling fresh lemon juice and scattered parsley. Toss ingredients quickly to ensure even coating and heating.
- Allow shrimp to reheat for an additional minute, absorbing the rich, zesty sauce.
- Plate immediately, generously spooning any remaining sauce over the shrimp for maximum flavor intensity.
Notes
- Select high-quality, fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture, preferably wild-caught or sustainably sourced.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and prevent steaming.
- Use unsalted butter to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- Quickly cook shrimp to maintain tenderness and prevent rubbery texture, watching carefully during the 2-minute cooking periods.
- Create a gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free butter and ensuring no cross-contamination in preparation.
- Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that still provides rich flavor.
- Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat or reduce for a milder taste, customizing spice levels to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 200mg