Name: 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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15 Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp

15 minute garlic butter shrimp is the kind of dinner you make on nights when you’re tired, hungry, and about three minutes away from ordering takeout you’ll regret paying for. You know the nights — everyone’s hungry now, the sink is already full, and you’re wondering how dinner became such a daily personality test.

This is one of those recipes that feels a little magical because it looks fancy, tastes amazing, and somehow only takes 15 minutes. No marinating. No long ingredient list. No “simmer for 45 minutes while questioning your life choices.” Just real food, real flavor, and a pan that doesn’t hate you afterward.

Garlic butter shrimp has saved dinner in my house more times than I can count. It’s my go-to when I want something comforting but still light, quick but still impressive. It’s also what I make when I want to feel like I tried… even if I absolutely did not have it in me to try very hard.

One of the best things about this 15 minute garlic butter shrimp recipe is that shrimp cooks faster than almost anything. If you blink, it’s done. Which is great for busy weeknights, tired parents, work-from-home lunches, or those evenings when you’re starving and patience is not part of the plan.

Let’s talk about the garlic butter for a second, because it deserves its moment. Butter makes everything better. Garlic makes everything better. Together? It’s a love story. Add a squeeze of lemon at the end and suddenly you’re eating something that tastes like it came from a restaurant — except you didn’t have to put on real pants or wait 45 minutes for a table.

This recipe is also incredibly flexible, which is one of my favorite things about it. Serve your garlic butter shrimp over rice, pasta, or quinoa. Scoop it up with crusty bread. Throw it on top of a salad if you’re feeling responsible. Wrap it in tortillas for quick shrimp tacos. There’s no wrong answer here — just dinner that works.

If you’re someone who feels intimidated by cooking seafood, I promise this is a great place to start. Shrimp is forgiving, fast, and very clear about when it’s done. As soon as it turns pink and opaque, you’re good. Overcooking is really the only thing to avoid, and since this recipe is so quick, it’s hard to mess up.

Another reason I love this 15 minute garlic butter shrimp is that it’s surprisingly budget-friendly, especially if you use frozen shrimp. Keep a bag in your freezer, and you’re basically always 15 minutes away from a solid dinner. That kind of kitchen peace is priceless.

This is the kind of meal that meets you where you are. It doesn’t ask for perfection. It doesn’t require a spotless kitchen or endless energy. It just gives you something warm, flavorful, and satisfying when you need it most.

That’s really what Grounded in Thyme is all about — food that fits real life. Not Pinterest-perfect, not complicated, not trying to be anything other than good, honest, comforting food.

Scroll down for the full recipe card and make this 15 minute garlic butter shrimp the next time dinner feels like too much. You deserve an easy win.

15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp

This quick garlic butter shrimp is ready in just 15 minutes and packed with bold flavor. A fast, easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Serving Size 4

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional

Instructions

Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Remove from heat and drizzle with lemon juice.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.
Swap shrimp for scallops or chicken strips if needed.
Add red pepper flakes for heat.

FAQs: Garlic Butter Shrimp

Yes — and honestly, most of the time that’s what I use. Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking so they sear instead of steaming.

Shrimp cook fast. They’re done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape. If they curl tightly into an “O,” they’re overcooked — still edible, just a little less tender.

Large or extra-large shrimp work best. Smaller shrimp cook very quickly and can overcook before you know it.

Shrimp are best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently so they don’t turn rubbery.

This recipe is great over rice, pasta, or quinoa. It’s also delicious with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce or served on top of a simple salad.

Yes — shrimp, butter, and garlic are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check any seasonings or broth if you add extras.

Absolutely. Spinach, asparagus, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes cook quickly and work really well in this dish.

Garlic cooks fast. Make sure your heat isn’t too high and add the garlic right before the shrimp so it doesn’t sit in the pan too long.

Don’t overcook them and avoid reheating on high heat. Shrimp need just a few minutes per side — once they’re pink, they’re ready.