I love this Famous Red Lobster Style Garlic Shrimp recipe because it perfectly captures the rich, buttery, and garlicky shrimp experience that Red Lobster is famous for. The shrimp turn out tender and flavorful, cooked quickly in a luscious garlic butter sauce. It works great as an appetizer or a main course, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes — perfect for when I want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Juice of half a lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Place the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp. Toss well to coat everything in the buttery garlic sauce.
Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice for a heartier meal.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Prep time is about 5 minutes, cooking time is around 10 minutes, so the total time is approximately 15 minutes.
Variations
I like to mix things up by adding a splash of white wine or a pinch of smoked paprika to the garlic butter sauce for a different flavor profile. Sometimes, I swap parsley for fresh cilantro or basil depending on what I have on hand. For a creamier twist, stirring in a little heavy cream at the end creates a rich sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta. If I want more veggies, I toss in some sautéed spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra color and nutrition.
Storage/reheating
I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, I prefer gently warming the shrimp in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking. Adding a small knob of butter during reheating helps keep the sauce rich and silky. I don’t recommend microwaving as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, I often use frozen shrimp. I thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sauté properly and don’t release too much water.
What can I serve with this garlic shrimp?
I like serving it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce, steamed rice, or even pasta for a more filling meal.
How spicy is this recipe?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but I usually keep them optional so the garlic butter flavor shines. I adjust the spice to my mood by adding more or leaving them out.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely. I substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or use extra olive oil to keep the garlic flavor intact without dairy.
How do I prevent shrimp from overcooking?
I watch the shrimp closely and cook them just until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking makes shrimp tough and rubbery, so timing is key.
Conclusion
This Famous Red Lobster Style Garlic Shrimp recipe is one of my favorites because it’s fast, flavorful, and versatile. The garlic butter sauce elevates simple shrimp into something truly special, whether as a snack or a meal. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do!
Recipe:
Famous Red Lobster Style Garlic Shrimp
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
A quick and flavorful garlic butter shrimp recipe inspired by Red Lobster, featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce with a hint of lemon and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Juice of half a lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp. Toss well to coat everything in the buttery garlic sauce.
- Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice for a heartier meal.
Notes
For a variation, add a splash of white wine or a pinch of smoked paprika to the garlic butter sauce.
Swap parsley for fresh cilantro or basil for different flavors.
For a creamy version, stir in a little heavy cream at the end.
Add sautéed spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies and color.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet with a small knob of butter to keep the sauce silky; avoid microwaving.
Use thawed, dry shrimp if using frozen shrimp for best results.
Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control spice level.
For dairy-free, substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or extra olive oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
