Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dish that feels fancy but cooks up in no time, you’re going to want to try my Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe brings together tender, garlicky shrimp with a buttery, wine-infused sauce that’s perfect for mopping up with crusty bread. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or an impromptu gathering, this skillet recipe delivers on simplicity and incredible taste.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I think what makes this Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe really special is how these ingredients play off each other, especially the fresh garlic and white wine — just enough to elevate the prawns without overpowering their natural sweetness. When shopping, choose the freshest shrimp you can find, ideally peeled and deveined but with the tails left on for flavor and presentation.

• Shrimp (prawns): Peeled and deveined with tails on – they cook quickly and look gorgeous.
• Cooking/kosher salt: Enhances flavors without masking the shrimp’s natural taste.
• Black pepper: Adds a gentle heat that balances the richness.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Divided use to both marinate and start the sauté.
• Garlic cloves: Finely minced by hand – trust me, this tip helps keep garlic from burning.
• Unsalted butter: Cubed for easy melting and a luscious finish.
• Dry white wine (like Chardonnay): Gives the sauce acidity and depth.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the dish with fresh citrusy notes.
• Fresh parsley: Finely chopped for garnish and a subtle herbal freshness.
• Lemon wedges and crusty bread: Essential for serving and soaking up the delicious sauce!

Variations

One of the things I love about this Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or what you have on hand. I often swap in herbs or add a little heat to make it my own. Don’t hesitate to experiment a bit—you’ll find your favorite version in no time.

• Add a Kick of Spice: I sometimes toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking garlic for a subtle heat that lifts the whole dish.
• Herbal Twist: Swap parsley for fresh basil or cilantro for a different flavor profile, especially great for summertime.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute the butter with extra olive oil or a bit of coconut oil for those who prefer dairy-free options.
• Wine-Free Option: If you don’t have white wine, chicken or vegetable broth works well to keep that saucy moisture.

How to Make Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp for Maximum Flavor

This is where I learned that even a short marinade makes a huge difference. Toss your peeled and deveined shrimp with a tablespoon of olive oil and black pepper in a bowl, then let it rest for about 20 minutes at room temperature. Be sure not to add salt here or marinate longer—otherwise, the shrimp start to sweat and lose their juicy bite.

Step 2: Sauté Start – Build Your Flavor Base

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, making sure they sizzle when they hit the pan. Cook for about 1.5 minutes on one side until they start to turn pink, then flip them over. Keep your spatula handy — shrimp cook fast, so you want to avoid overcooking for that tender, juicy texture.

Step 3: Add Garlic, Butter, and Wine – The Magic Trio

Here’s the trick I discovered to prevent bitter, burnt garlic: add your finely minced garlic only after flipping the shrimp, so it cooks gently in the butter and olive oil mixture. Drop in the cubed butter and pour the white wine. The wine not only adds flavor but helps keep the garlic from burning. Give everything a gentle toss for 2-3 minutes—just until the shrimp are opaque and the sauce is slightly reduced.

Step 4: Finish with Lemon and Parsley for Freshness

Sprinkle in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley right at the end. These bright notes cut through the richness and bring the dish together. Plate immediately and serve with extra lemon wedges and bread to soak up that gorgeous garlicky sauce.

How to Serve Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish this skillet dish with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds such a pretty pop of green and freshness. Lemon wedges are a must, too; a quick squeeze right before eating adds that zesty brightness every bite needs. The combination makes the dish feel bright and vibrant, which balances the buttery sauce perfectly.

Side Dishes

My favorite side to go with this garlic shrimp skillet is thick slices of crusty bread—perfect for mopping up all the garlicky butter. You can never go wrong with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, or for something heartier, creamy mashed potatoes or garlic butter rice work wonderfully to soak up the sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the shrimp in a rustic cast-iron skillet right at the table, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. If you want to get fancy, arrange them over a bed of garlic butter linguine or creamy polenta—guests always get excited about these little touches, and it makes the dish feel extra festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftover garlic shrimp to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Since shrimp cook fast, I recommend eating leftovers fairly quickly to avoid rubbery texture, but the sauce stays delicious for dipping bread or drizzling on rice.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dish because shrimp textures change with freezing, but if you want to, freeze cooked shrimp separately in a freezer-safe bag without the sauce. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently with fresh butter, lemon, and garlic to refresh flavors.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on medium-low in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or butter and a squeeze of lemon to bring back their succulence. Avoid microwaving if you can because shrimp can get tough and rubbery that way.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Shrimp Skillet Recipe has been one of those go-to dishes in my kitchen when I want something truly satisfying but without fuss. I love how quickly it comes together and how everyone always asks for seconds—and bread to scoop up every last bit of that garlicky butter sauce! I encourage you to try it out exactly as written first, then start making it your own with tweaks and twists that suit your taste. Trust me, once you get this right, garlic shrimp might just become your weeknight superstar, too.

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