Top Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe Everyone Loves

Lemon-garlic shrimp skillet reinvents ordinary seafood into a culinary adventure that sparks instant kitchen excitement.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside robust garlic undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile that tantalizes taste buds.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings infuse each succulent morsel with incredible depth and complexity.

Quick preparation meets restaurant-quality results in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Home cooks can elevate weeknight dinners with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Professional chefs appreciate the recipe’s elegant simplicity and dynamic ingredient interaction.

Bold flavors merge seamlessly, promising a memorable dining experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Why This Shrimp Skillet Hits Every Note

• Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: This lemon-garlic shrimp skillet delivers an intense burst of zesty, bold flavors in just minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality meals without complex preparation.
• Master Effortless Cooking Technique: The simple one-pan method ensures minimal cleanup while allowing home chefs to create a professional-looking dish with minimal cooking skills, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in under 15 minutes.
• Enjoy Vibrant Sensory Experience: Bright citrus notes from fresh lemon, spicy undertones of red pepper flakes, and succulent shrimp create a multi-layered taste profile that dances across your palate, offering a delightful combination of tangy, spicy, and rich flavors in every single bite.

Ingredients for Garlic-Lemon Shrimp Success

• Shrimp: Fresh, medium-sized shrimp work best with sweet and tender meat. Large shrimp can be substituted for a meatier texture.

• Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Adds warmth and subtle heat to enhance the shrimp's flavor. Adjust quantity for desired spice level.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and bringing out the natural flavors of the dish.

• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a robust, pungent base note. Choose firm, firm cloves without sprouts.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Slices: Bright citrus element that tenderizes shrimp and adds zesty freshness. Select firm, ripe lemons.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich, smooth cooking environment. Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds color and fresh herbal note to finish the dish. Choose bright green, crisp leaves.

Sauté, Sizzle, and Serve in Minutes

Step 1: Prepare Marinade

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the shrimp soak up these flavors for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

Grab a large skillet and melt butter, then add the remaining of olive oil. Swirl the pan to create a delicious cooking surface.

Step 3: Cook Shrimp to Perfection

Carefully add the marinated shrimp along with any extra juices and lemon slices to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn a beautiful pink color and become opaque.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the sizzling shrimp to a serving plate. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Enjoy your mouthwatering lemon-garlic shrimp while it’s hot!

Pro Tip: Serve with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious garlic-lemon sauce.

Tips for Plump Shrimp with Zesty Sauce

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let shrimp sit in the lemon-garlic mixture for exactly 10 minutes to ensure deep flavor penetration without breaking down the delicate protein.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior on each shrimp, creating irresistible caramelization.
• Fresh Ingredient Hack: Choose large, wild-caught shrimp for the most robust flavor and best texture, ensuring they're deveined and patted completely dry before cooking.
• Butter-Oil Balance: Combining butter and olive oil creates a rich, flavorful base that prevents burning while adding depth to the overall dish.
• Precise Cooking Timing: Watch shrimp closely and remove from heat the moment they turn pink and opaque—even 30 seconds of overcooking can make them tough and rubbery.

Storing Leftovers That Still Taste Like Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
• Reheat: Gently warm shrimp in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of butter or olive oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent overcooking and maintain tenderness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent rubbery texture.
• Freeze: For longer storage, freeze shrimp in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Properly stored, frozen shrimp can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Pairings That Make This Skillet Pop

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the lemon-garlic shrimp perfectly, cutting through the richness and enhancing the bright, citrusy flavors.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic baguette or sourdough to soak up the delicious buttery, lemony sauce, creating an irresistible combination that elevates the entire dish.
• Match with Fresh Salad: Create a light arugula salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette to mirror the dish's citrus notes, providing a crisp, refreshing contrast to the succulent shrimp.
• Recommend Chilled Pilsner: A cold, crisp beer like a light pilsner helps balance the garlic's intensity and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, buttery shrimp skillet.

Ways to Reinvent Your Skillet Game

• Mediterranean Magic: Swap paprika for za'atar spice blend and add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired seafood dish with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Coconut Fusion: Replace butter with coconut oil, add fresh grated ginger, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes for a tropical heat-infused version that brings exotic Southeast Asian undertones.
• Herb Garden Style: Substitute red pepper flakes with fresh chopped dill and thyme, and include white wine instead of extra lemon juice to create an elegant herbal shrimp skillet with subtle aromatic notes.
• Cajun Kick: Incorporate Cajun seasoning blend, swap olive oil for andouille sausage drippings, and add diced bell peppers for a bold, Louisiana-style preparation that brings robust southern comfort to the classic recipe.

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean zest meets quick comfort in this lemon-garlic shrimp skillet. Succulent shrimp dance with tangy citrus and bold garlic, promising a restaurant-quality meal ready in mere minutes that will delight your palate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Fats:

• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Juice of 1 lemon

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare a medium-sized mixing vessel and introduce the fresh shrimp, carefully coating them with olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped garlic, smoky paprika, zesty red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Allow the seafood to marinate and absorb the vibrant flavors for approximately 10 minutes at room temperature, ensuring optimal taste infusion.
3. Select a spacious skillet and gently melt rich butter, then incorporate the remaining of olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Carefully transfer the marinated shrimp into the heated skillet, including all accompanying marinade juices, and strategically place thin lemon slices around the shellfish.
5. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on the initial side, watching for a beautiful golden-pink transformation, then flip and continue cooking an additional 2-3 minutes until fully opaque and perfectly cooked through.
6. Remove the skillet from heat and immediately plate the succulent shrimp, generously garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and aromatic freshness.
7. Serve immediately while piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

• Marinate shrimp for maximum flavor infusion, allowing the zesty lemon, spicy garlic, and aromatic spices to penetrate deeply into the seafood.
• Use high-quality, fresh shrimp for the best taste and texture, ensuring they’re deveined and cleaned before marinating.
• Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
• Fresh lemon slices add a bright, citrusy dimension that complements the rich, buttery sauce and enhances the overall seafood experience.
• Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving to introduce a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the dish.
• Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the shrimp at peak tenderness and flavor, paired with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 237 kcal
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg