This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
Craving a quick, flavorful dinner? This garlic butter shrimp is ready in just 15 minutes! Juicy shrimp in a creamy, garlicky butter sauce makes for the perfect meal over pasta, rice, or crusty bread. It’s easy, delicious, and completely irresistible. Check out my video guide and make it for dinner tonight!
Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
When it comes to shrimp, there aren’t many recipes as easy and delicious as this one. It’s so good, and totally addictive! Plus, it only takes 15 minutes to make. Yep, you read that right—dinner is ready in 15 minutes if you follow my recipe and pick up a few multitasking tips for the kitchen (which I will teach you below).
Picture this: juicy shrimp smothered in an epic garlic butter sauce with a touch of cream. And I’m talking about light cream here—so it’s not as heavy, and it’s lower in calories. It pairs perfectly with any simple pasta like spaghetti, penne, macaroni, or ribbon-shaped farfalle or sea shells. Honestly, you’ll be done faster than it would take for your food to be delivered or for you to drive to a restaurant. Trust me on this one!
If you’re a fan of garlic and shrimp, be sure to check out my Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp and Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp recipes next!
Why You Need This Butter Garlic Shrimp
I’m not bragging, but just look at these photos and my video—don’t you want to dive right into that sauce and those shrimp? There are plenty of Garlic Butter Shrimp recipes out there, but trust me, mine is a surefire standout because:
- It’s one of the easiest, fuss-free recipes you’ll find online. Why? Because I’ve simplified the method into just four steps, without sacrificing any of the flavor or presentation.
- It’s hands down the BEST and most delicious recipe ever! I’m not just talking it up—I’ll show you how to use Asian ingredients, like Japanese cooking sake and mirin (sweet rice wine), to take this dish to a whole new level that’s unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
- Whether you pair it with plain pasta, steamed rice (brown or white), or bread like Italian Puff Bread, crusty French baguette (like my Homemade Baguette), Skillet Garlic Bread, or even Naan, this recipe is versatile and just works.
Secrets To Quick Kitchen Success
It is possible to create gourmet meals at home with just a few simple ingredients and finish in record time. For this easy butter garlic shrimp recipe, the key is multitasking. By using a few staple ingredients, you can take your cooking to the next level. I embrace the idea of East meets West for the best results.
- Buy frozen, deveined shrimp: I always grab packs of shelled, headless, tail-on shrimp at the grocery store. Just thaw them in the microwave or soak them in water. They are ready for cooking in minutes.
- Stock up on sake and mirin: These are pantry must-haves. You can substitute white wine with Japanese cooking sake. It has a sweet, umami-rich flavor that is less acidic than wine.
- Use mirin for balance: Mirin is a sweet rice wine with a syrupy consistency. It is perfect for balancing salty flavors in your dishes.
- Plan and multitask: I always cook the pasta first while I prep the shrimp. By the time the shrimp is ready, the pasta is al dente. Just spoon the creamy garlic shrimp over the top and dinner is served.
- The “C-Shape” rule: Watch your shrimp closely as they cook. You want them to curl into a “C” shape. If they curl tightly into an “O” shape, they are overcooked and will be rubbery. Pull them off the heat the moment they hit that perfect “C.”
- The “Garlic Tan” look: When you sauté the garlic in butter, look for a pale gold color. I call this the “Garlic Tan.” If the garlic turns dark brown, it becomes bitter and ruins the sweet, creamy flavor of the butter.
- The high heat hiss: You should hear a loud hiss the second the shrimp touch the pan. If the pan is quiet, your shrimp will soak up the grease and get mushy.
Shopping Guide: You can find Japanese cooking sake and mirin in the international aisle or at Asian markets. Cooking sake is different from drinking sake. You can trust Mizkan as a reliable brand for both. Other good and easy to find brands are Kikkoman and Shirakiku.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Ingredients
- Shrimp – Peeled and deveined
- Butter
- Garlic
- Light cooking cream
- Japanese cooking sake – I used Japanese cooking sake in my recipe, but you can easily swap it with dry white wine if that’s what you have.
- Mirin
- Cayenne pepper
- Parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full details on each ingredient.
Pro Tip #1: Why I Keep The Tails On
I keep the tails on for extra flavor and a fancy, restaurant-style look. If you’re serving this with pasta, feel free to use fully peeled shrimp to make it easier to eat. Just watch the timer because they cook faster without the tails!
Pro Tip #2: Why I Use Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter lets the sweet shrimp and garlic flavors shine without making the dish too salty. If you only have salted butter, just skip the extra salt in the recipe and season at the very end.
Pro Tip #3: Why White Wine Or Sake Is Essential
A splash of wine or sake deglazes the pan and adds a bright acidity that cuts through the cream. For an alcohol-free version, chicken broth with a squeeze of lemon is the perfect swap.
Pro Tip #4: Why Light Cooking Cream Is My Choice
Light cream gives you that velvety, luxurious feel without being too heavy or thick. You can use half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but keep the heat low so it doesn’t curdle.
Recipe Variations
- Scallops: Swap the shrimp for scallops, and you’ve got Creamy Garlic Scallops—so tender and indulgent!
- Chicken: Use chicken instead of shrimp to make my Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken—a cozy, hearty dinner idea.
- Pork: Switch things up with pork chops and make my Instant Pot Pork Chops with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce—easy, flavorful, and satisfying.
- Pasta: Turn it into One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Pasta, where everything cooks together for the ultimate creamy comfort food.
How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp
First, just give the shrimp a quick rinse, then pat them dry with some paper towels. Set them aside when you’re done!
Heat up a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Toss in the garlic and sauté it until it smells amazing, but don’t let it brown. Then, add the shrimp and cook until they’re pink and opaque on the outside, but they don’t need to be fully cooked through yet.
Next, pour in the light cooking cream, white wine (or sake if you’re using that), mirin (if you’ve got it), salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Let it all come to a gentle boil so the shrimp cook through. Then, toss in the parsley and give it a good stir to mix everything together.
Take it off the heat, then sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top. Garnish with lemon wedges and squeeze the juice over the dish just before serving. It’s perfect with rice, pasta, or some crusty bread to soak up all the goodness!
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep shrimp from getting rubbery, don’t overcook them! They cook really fast—usually about 1-2 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re opaque and firm to the touch, and they’ve curled up just a bit. If they curl too tightly, they’ve probably been on the heat a little too long. Just watch them closely, and you’ll get perfectly tender shrimp every time!
Definitely! If you want more heat, just add a bit more cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. A pinch is pretty mild, so feel free to increase it for that extra kick!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat gently so the shrimp don’t overcook.
This recipe is 542 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
For an easy and wholesome weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- 8 oz shrimp, shelled, deveined, tail-on
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup light cooking cream
- 1/2 cup white wine or Japanese cooking sake
- 1 tablespoon mirin, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt , or to taste
- 3 -5 dashes cayenne pepper
Garnishing
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp, pat them dry with paper towels, and set them aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque on the surface, but are not fully cooked through.
- Add the light cooking cream, white wine or Japanese cooking sake, mirin (if using), salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the shrimp to cook through, add the parsley, stir to combine well.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with lemon wedges. Squeeze the lemon juice over the dish just before enjoying with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve tried different recipes and they resulted yummy. the only drawback I had was getting the rice wine ,mirin, I used the Cooking Sherry instead. thank you so much for your recipes.
Hi Cecelia, thanks for trying my recipe!