Butter-Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Zest
A quick and delicious recipe for butter-garlic shrimp enhanced with a touch of lemon zest and Italian herbs. Perfect as a main dish or appetizer!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound large shrimp 16-20 count, peeled, deveined, tails optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried
- 3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
Instructions
Preparation:
- Thaw shrimp if frozen by submerging them in cold water for 15-20 minutes.
- Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Cooking Steps:
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the pan and stir well. Sprinkle in the lemon zest for added brightness.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can remove the shrimp tails for easier eating, but leaving them on adds a more visually appealing presentation.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, increase the garlic to 4 teaspoons.
- For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or with a side of sweet potato chips for added texture.