Creamy Garlic Shrimp is a spectacular weeknight wonder, offering a restaurant-quality meal with minimal fuss. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone seeking a quick, elegant, yet surprisingly simple dish that’s sure to impress.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc) (optional, can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp recipe is your secret weapon for a fast, flavorful, and deeply satisfying meal. In just under 20 minutes of active prep and cooking, you’ll achieve a luxurious, garlicky sauce enveloping perfectly cooked shrimp. Its simplicity belies its rich, decadent taste, making it ideal for busy evenings or impromptu dinners.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Ensure your shrimp are fully peeled and deveined. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step to ensure the shrimp sear nicely and don’t steam in the pan. Season the shrimp generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Browning the garlic will make it bitter.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour the white wine (or broth) into the hot skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the heavy cream. Whisk gently until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add Cheese and Lemon: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Continue to whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Add the chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve: Immediately spoon the Creamy Garlic Shrimp over your desired base, such as pasta, rice, or crusty bread, and garnish with extra fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Shrimp
You’ll absolutely adore this Creamy Garlic Shrimp for its luxurious, velvety sauce that coats every tender piece of shrimp in a symphony of garlic and lemon. It delivers an opulent dining experience that rivals any high-end restaurant, yet it’s incredibly budget-friendly to prepare in your own kitchen, saving you money without compromising on taste or quality. The interplay of rich cream, zesty lemon, pungent garlic, and the optional subtle kick of red pepper flakes creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated, setting it apart from simpler shrimp preparations.
Forget tedious cooking for a moment and imagine serving a dish that looks and tastes like a million bucks, but comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout. It’s a weeknight savior that feels like a special occasion, proving that gourmet can be effortless and economical. So, ditch the takeout menus and embrace the joy of creating this delightful Creamy Garlic Shrimp at home – your taste buds (and your wallet!) will thank you.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Creamy Garlic Shrimp, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly. The dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
When reheating, gentle heat is key to preserving the delicate texture of the shrimp and the creaminess of the sauce. You can reheat it gently in a skillet over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Avoid high heat or prolonged cooking, as this can toughen the shrimp. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave on 50% power in short bursts, stirring between each burst, until heated through.
If you wish to freeze Creamy Garlic Shrimp for future meals, it’s best to do so before it’s fully cooked or immediately after cooking and cooling. For best results when freezing cooked shrimp, you can freeze it separately from any cooked pasta or rice. Once cooled, portion the shrimp and sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Properly frozen, it can be stored for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp is a true showstopper, combining elegance and ease for a meal that’s both impressive and incredibly delicious. Give it a try this week; you’ll be delighted by how simple it is to create such a satisfying and flavorful dish.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Ensure your shrimp are fully peeled and deveined. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step to ensure the shrimp sear nicely and don’t steam in the pan. Season the shrimp generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.1 pound large shrimp, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Browning the garlic will make it bitter.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 5-6 cloves garlic, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.1 pound large shrimp
- Pour the white wine (or broth) into the hot skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step adds depth of flavor to the sauce.1/2 cup dry white wine
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the heavy cream. Whisk gently until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 cup heavy cream
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Continue to whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Add the chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.1 pound large shrimp, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Immediately spoon the Creamy Garlic Shrimp over your desired base, such as pasta, rice, or crusty bread, and garnish with extra fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.2 tablespoons fresh parsley