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If you’re looking for a recipe that’s elegant yet quick to prepare, Garlic Butter Shrimp is the perfect choice. Combining the rich, buttery flavor of shrimp with the aroma of fresh garlic and the brightness of white wine and lemon, this dish is both simple and delicious. With juicy cherry tomatoes adding a touch of sweetness and a hint of parsley to bring everything together, Garlic Butter Shrimp is a crowd-pleaser that can be served over pasta, polenta, or alongside crusty bread to soak up every bit of the sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Garlic Butter Shrimp hits all the marks: it’s flavorful, versatile, and takes only about 20 minutes to make. The rich butter and garlic mixture coats each shrimp, while the addition of wine, lemon juice, and fresh herbs adds a wonderful depth of flavor. It’s sophisticated enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight meal. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced home chef, this recipe is simple to follow and promises delicious results every time.
Key Ingredients
- Shrimp: The star of the dish! Shrimp cook quickly and absorb flavors beautifully. Use fresh or frozen shrimp that are deveined and peeled for the best texture.
- Butter and Olive Oil: A combination of butter and olive oil gives the sauce a luscious, rich flavor without burning the butter as it heats up.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a deep, aromatic base that defines this dish. Both sliced and pressed garlic are used to layer the flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes: They add a burst of freshness and natural sweetness, balancing the richness of the butter and garlic.
- White Wine: Enhances the flavors with acidity and depth. Choose a dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, that complements the shrimp without overwhelming the other ingredients.
- Lemon Juice: Adds brightness, cutting through the richness of the butter and balancing the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: A finishing touch that adds color, aroma, and a bit of earthiness.
- Optional Agave Syrup: Adds a mild sweetness that works well with the acidity of the lemon and wine. This step is entirely optional but can enhance the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- Cut the butter into cubes and lightly toss it in flour to help thicken the sauce.
- Thinly slice most of the garlic, reserving one clove to press into the dish later.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Sauté the Garlic and Butter
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the floured butter cubes and sliced garlic, stirring for about 1 minute until the butter begins to melt and the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the Shrimp
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2–3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. This allows the shrimp to absorb the garlic butter flavors and become tender.
Add Cherry Tomatoes and Sauté
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes until they soften and release their juices. The tomatoes provide a burst of freshness, balancing the richness of the garlic butter sauce.
Deglaze with Wine and Add Seasonings
- Pour in the white wine, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the browned bits into the sauce. Let the wine cook down for about 2 minutes.
- Add lemon juice, a pinch of salt, pepper, and 300ml of water to thin the sauce slightly. Press the reserved garlic clove directly into the sauce for an extra kick of garlic flavor.
Finish with Fresh Herbs and Optional Sweetness
- Stir in the chopped parsley, allowing it to gently wilt into the sauce.
- If desired, add a drizzle of agave syrup for a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the wine and lemon.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp over polenta, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish with additional parsley if desired. Enjoy the dish while it’s warm for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly; as soon as they turn pink and opaque, they’re done. Overcooking can make them tough and rubbery.
- Use Fresh Garlic and Herbs: Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference in this recipe, especially the garlic and parsley.
- Wine Substitution: If you prefer not to cook with wine, substitute with chicken or vegetable broth for a milder flavor.
Suggested Pairings
Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp with:
- Creamy Polenta: Perfect for soaking up the garlic butter sauce.
- Pasta: Tossed with angel hair or spaghetti, the shrimp and sauce create a light, satisfying meal.
- Steamed Vegetables: Green beans or asparagus add a fresh contrast to the richness of the dish.
- Crusty Bread: Ideal for mopping up every last drop of the garlic butter sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Add Spice: Sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a bit of heat.
- Try Different Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano can be substituted for parsley to add a different flavor profile.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for an even richer sauce.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if necessary. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp when reheating.
More Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love
Shrimp Rice Bowl with Lamb’s Lettuce
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce with Shrimp
Vegetable Wok with Shrimp and Rice
Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 450g shrimp
- 125g butter cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 head of garlic reserve a small amount to press later
- 125g cherry tomatoes halved
- 125ml white wine
- 300ml water
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp agave syrup (optional)
- Polenta for serving
Instructions
- Toss the butter cubes in flour to lightly coat them. This will help thicken the sauce later.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the floured butter cubes and sliced garlic. Sauté for a minute until the garlic becomes fragrant and the butter starts to melt.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet with the shrimp and cook for another 2 minutes, until the tomatoes soften slightly.
- Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
- Add the lemon juice, a pinch of salt, pepper, and water.
- Press a small clove of garlic and add it to the skillet to enhance the garlic flavor.
- Let everything simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the chopped parsley and, if desired, add the agave syrup to balance the flavors.
- Spoon the garlic butter shrimp and sauce onto a plate and serve alongside or over creamy polenta for a complete, flavorful meal. Enjoy!
