Simple garlic shrimp is a delightful dish that captures the essence of coastal cuisine with its vibrant flavors and quick preparation. The succulent shrimp are perfectly sautéed, allowing the aromatic garlic to infuse each bite with warmth and depth. This dish is not only versatile, pairing beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread, but it also exudes an inviting simplicity that makes it perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. With its enticing aroma and appealing presentation, simple garlic shrimp transforms any meal into a celebration of fresh ingredients and culinary ease.
Simple Garlic Shrimp
Garlic shrimp is a savory dish that features succulent shrimp cooked with aromatic garlic and often enhanced with herbs and spices. Quick to prepare, it delivers a rich, buttery flavor that pairs well with rice, pasta, or crusty bread, making it a popular choice for both casual and elegant meals.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- salt to taste
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp caper brine
- 2 tbsp cold butter, cut into 4 equal pieces, divided
- ⅓ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
- 1 teaspoon water, or as needed
Instructions
- Collect all the necessary ingredients.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over high heat until it starts to shimmer. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer at the bottom of the pan and let them cook for 1 minute without stirring.
- Season the shrimp with salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to turn pink, which should take about 1 minute.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in the lemon juice, caper brine, one piece of butter, and half of the parsley, cooking until the butter has melted, which will take about 1 minute.
- Lower the heat and add the remaining three pieces of butter. Cook and stir until the butter melts, the sauce thickens, and the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and transfer them to a bowl. Continue cooking the butter sauce, adding water one teaspoon at a time if it becomes too thick, for about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste, then serve the shrimp drizzled with the pan sauce and garnished with the remaining parsley. Enjoy!