Rediscovering the Recipe for Garlic and Butter Shrimp, Thanks to My Bestie
When I think of comfort food, my mind immediately drifts to the fragrant aroma of garlic sizzling in butter, followed by the sight of plump shrimp turning that perfect shade of pink. This recipe for garlic and butter shrimp has become one of my go-to dishes, not just because it’s easy to make, but because it brings back memories of the most unexpected culinary surprise—courtesy of my bestie.
Like so many of us, the pandemic turned life upside down in more ways than one. Suddenly, we found ourselves stuck indoors, relying on home-cooked meals more than ever. My bestie, who always swore she was a disaster in the kitchen, became a shining example of how necessity is truly the mother of invention.
She once claimed, “I can’t cook to save my life!” But when push came to shove, and takeout wasn’t an option, she had no choice but to dust off a few recipes and give cooking a try. To everyone’s surprise—especially her own—she succeeded spectacularly. One of her masterpieces? Garlic and butter shrimp!
The first time she re-introduced me to this dish, it felt like a revelation. I remember her laughing nervously, saying, “I hope you don’t hate it!” As soon as I took that first bite, the burst of buttery richness and the subtle punch of garlic hit all the right notes. It was delicious—and so simple. I couldn’t believe she had downplayed her kitchen skills for so long.
This recipe became a regular part of my repertoire, reminding me not only of how food brings us comfort in uncertain times but also of how it can reveal hidden talents in even the most unexpected places.
Here’s my take on this easy yet indulgent garlic and butter shrimp, inspired by my bestie’s quarantine culinary triumph. The buttery goodness would leave you wanting more.
Unsalted butter, minced garlic, black pepper, and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice at serving time is as easy as I can put it. Let’s dive into the recipe.
Ingredients
- Fresh shrimp
- unsalted butter (or olive oil)
- ground black pepper
- kosher salt
- minced fresh herbs
How to Cook Garlic and Butter Shrimp
This is one of the easiest garlic butter shrimp recipes you would ever find. By readying all the ingredients, all you need to do is sautee them one by one over medium heat or medium-high heat in this order: butter, garlic, shrimp, salt, ground black pepper. Done! Then add a squeeze of lemon at serving time.
In this photo below, I included some sliced tomatoes as another option. This is not necessary. However, my purpose was to add a little sauce to the dish, which my husband prefers.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over steamed white rice or any fried rice. Try this on cauliflower rice.
- Serve over pre-boiled and drained angel hair pasta. Yummy!
- Serve with cooked vegetables, preferably boiled or blanched.
- Serve with any green salad on the side.
Storing Leftover Garlic and Butter Shrimp
Leftovers can be stored in a tight-lid container in the fridge for a few days. Reheat them in the microwave or a saucepan for a few minutes and serve as is. You can also transfer this dish to a Pyrex ware and heat it in a conventional oven for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
Cooking Tips
- Serve with lemon wedges for an additional ting! Yes, some people, including Mr. Green Eyes love to squeeze lemon on their dishes.
- Add minced fresh parsley or any fresh herbs. This not only serves as a good decoration, but it also adds a tease to the taste of your garlic butter shrimp.
- Sprinkle with pepper flakes anytime during the cooking process for a spicy shrimp version.
- If you were to use frozen shrimp for this recipe, buy the ones with tails intact.
- Usually, shrimps cook in less than 5 minutes. Jumbo shrimps will require additional cooking time.
- If you prefer more garlicky shrimp, the best trick with fresh garlic is to mince them finer.
- Garlic powder does not replace the minced garlic cloves, but adding the powder can enhance the dish.
Do you happen to miss Italian Seasoning? You can try this recipe for Shrimp and Chicken Scampi next. It is a level up in your culinary journey and would be an addition to your favorite shrimp recipes.
Bestie’s Garlic and Butter Shrimp
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Method: cooking
- Cuisine: International
Description
Rediscover the rich flavors of garlic and butter shrimp with this easy recipe. Perfect for a quick, delicious meal!
Ingredients
- 300 g fresh shrimp, cleaned
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 50 g butter
- 1 head garlic (minced)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Additional salt and black pepper to season shrimp
- 1/2 cup Sprite (yes, the soda drink)
Instructions
- Sautee garlic in olive oil and stir until garlic is golden brown.
- Add butter and mix quickly then add fresh shrimp followed by salt and black pepper. Leave to cook uncovered for less than a minute then add Sprite slowly.
- Lower the heat to medium. Let boil until the shrimp are done; you may want to leave the pot uncovered.
