These Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp have become an absolute favourite of mine. Large shrimp quickly cooked in garlic, butter, lemon, olive oil and a little salt. They cook in minutes and make a great appetizer or starter to a bigger meal.
*Originally posted on March 19th, 2016. Edited to current date with updated photos, tips for the recipe as well as other cooking methods.
What Makes This A Great Recipe
- Delicious – most importantly, they taste great and you’ll want to serve them all the time.
- Healthy – shrimp are high in protien and this recipe uses all natural from scratch ingredients to make it
- Quick and easy – honestly, this recipe is so quick. You an have it prepped in under 10 minutes and it cooks in just over 6 minutes.
Ingredients To Make The Sauteed Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled and cleaned with tails in tact
- 3-4 cloves garlic crushed
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt
- Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley optional
REMEMBER, The full recipe and instructions is always found at the end of the post in the recipe card.
How To Make the Lemon Shrimp
- Clean and prepare the shrimp – first puff off the head. Then remove the shell around the body leaving the tail in tact.
- Devein the shrimp – by running a sharp knife down the spine and cleaning it out.
- Cook the shrimp – , heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium to high heat. Bring it to a sizzle, about a minute. Add the shrimp and give a quick stir. Try to not let them over lap for more even cooking. Cook until pink and cooked through, about 6 – 8 minutes. Squeeze over lemon juice, add salt and sprinkle with finely chopped parsley if desired.
Can I Use Another cooking Method
- Broil – You can place the shrimp on a baking sheet and combine all the ingredients (you’ll have to melt the butter). Pour over the shrimp and cook directly under the preheated broiler to 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes.
- Bake – Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and combine all the ingredients (melt the butter). Pour over the shrimp and cook in the middle of the oven at 375 degrees F for about 10 – 11 minutes.
- Grill/Barbecue – Combine all the ingredients in a bowl (with melted butter). Place the shrimp on skewers and grill/barbecue for about 8 minutes, rotating half way through cooking.
- Air Fryer– Again, toss all the ingredients together in a bowl (with melted butter. Place in your air fryer for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Quick Guide to Buying Shrimp
- Buy the ones that are raw and still in their shells. Fresh is best, but I know that isn’t always possible.
- The frozen kind are fine as well, but don’t buy the prepared ones that are already cleaned and shelled. They are pumped up with water and pretty much have no flavour.
What To Serve with The Shrimp
- Salads – serve them alongside the Zucchini Pasta Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette, The Greek Style Salad with Marinaded Feta or the Couscous Salad in a Lemon Vinaigrette.
- Potato Dishes – Why not try the Paprika Spiced Potato Wedges or the Crispy Oven Roasted Parmesan Baby Potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
You an marinade the shmimp in lemon juice and garlic. Keep in mind not to do this any longer than 30 minutes. The acid in the lemon juice will start to break down the fibers of the shrimp.
The citric acid in lime or lemon juice denatures the proteins in seafood, which make it look as though it’s cooked. The acidic marinade won’t kill bacteria, unlike cooking with heat
Yes, no problem. Just make sure they are defrosted completely before using. You can defrost them in the fridge for overnight. Or alternatively in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes.
I like using a cast iron skillet for cooking shrimp, but a non stick skillet will work perfectly fine as well.
No, these do not reheat well. I recommend making them as you are about so serve them. Reheating them will dry them out and make them rubbery.
Get the recipe!
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled and cleaned with tails in tact
- 3-4 cloves garlic crushed
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt
- Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- Peel, clean and devein the shrimp. Pat dry and set aside.
- Zest and juice the lemon and crush the garlic.
- Heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet until sizzling, about a minute. Add the shrimp and make sure they don't over lap. Cook for about 4 – 6 minutes until completely cooked through and pink.
- Squeeze over lemon juice, zest and sprinkle with salt.
- Remove from skillet and serve with extra lemon wedges and s sprinkling of parsley if desired. Serve immediately
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
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