These Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp are one of my favourites. Large shrimp are quickly cooked with garlic, butter, lemon and olive oil, finished with a pinch of salt. They take minutes to cook and make a perfect appetizer or starter for a larger meal.
*Originally posted on March 19th, 2016. Edited with updated photos, clarified tips and streamlined instructions.
What Makes This A Great Recipe
- Delicious – bright, garlicky shrimp with fresh lemon make a simple dish you’ll want to repeat.
- Healthy – shrimp are high in protein and the recipe uses fresh, natural ingredients.
- Quick and easy – prep takes under 10 minutes and cooking is about 6 minutes.
Ingredients To Make The Sauteed Shrimp
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned with tails intact
- 3–4 garlic cloves, crushed
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Small bunch fresh chopped parsley (optional)
REMEMBER: The full recipe and instructions are in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How To Make the Lemon Shrimp
- Clean and prepare the shrimp – remove the head if present and peel the shell from the body, leaving the tail on for presentation.
- Devein the shrimp – run a sharp knife down the back and remove the vein.
- Cook the shrimp – heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling, about a minute. Add the shrimp in a single layer (avoid overlapping) and cook until pink and opaque, about 4–6 minutes depending on size. Squeeze over lemon juice, add salt and finish with chopped parsley if desired.
Can I Use Another Cooking Method
- Broil – Toss shrimp with melted butter, lemon and garlic, arrange on a baking sheet and broil at 400°F (about 200°C) for ~8 minutes, watching closely.
- Bake – Combine ingredients, pour over shrimp on a baking sheet and bake in the middle of the oven at 375°F (about 190°C) for 10–11 minutes.
- Grill/Barbecue – Mix ingredients with melted butter, thread shrimp on skewers and grill about 8 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Air Fryer – Toss shrimp with the mixture and air fry at 400°F (about 200°C) for 8–10 minutes, checking for doneness.
Quick Guide to Buying Shrimp
- Choose raw shrimp with shells on when possible—they retain more flavor.
- Frozen shrimp are fine but avoid pre-cooked, shelled shrimp that are often water-packed and lack flavor.
What To Serve with The Shrimp
- Salads – pair the shrimp with a light lemon vinaigrette salad, a Greek-style salad or a couscous salad for a bright, balanced meal.
- Potato dishes – serve alongside roasted potato wedges or crispy parmesan baby potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — you can marinate shrimp briefly in lemon juice and garlic, but keep it under 30 minutes. The acid will begin to break down the texture if left too long.
Lemon or lime juice denatures seafood proteins and can make shrimp appear “cooked” in ceviche-style preparations, but acid does not kill bacteria the way heat does.
Yes. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes before cooking.
A cast iron skillet gives great sear and heat retention, but a non-stick skillet works perfectly well too.
Shrimp do not reheat well; they dry out and can become rubbery. For best texture, cook just before serving.
Get the recipe!
Zesty Lemon Sauteed Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled and cleaned with tails intact
- 3-4 cloves garlic crushed
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Small bunch of fresh chopped parsley optional
Instructions
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Peel, clean and devein the shrimp. Pat dry and set aside.
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Zest and juice the lemon and crush the garlic.
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Heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet until sizzling, about a minute. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 4–6 minutes until pink and opaque.
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Squeeze over lemon juice and zest, then sprinkle with salt.
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Remove from skillet and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley if desired.
*A note on times provided: appliances vary; prep and cook times are estimates.
Calories from Fat 99
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