Simple yet Delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp

This recipe for Simple yet Delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or casual gathering! The combination of fresh lemon and garlic provides an exquisite burst of flavor, making this dish easy to prepare while impressing your guests. Let’s dive into the preparation.

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients:

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt to taste
Paprika (optional)
Cornstarch or flour for dusting the shrimp before cooking (optional)

Instructions:

Start by preparing your ingredients. Peel and devein the shrimp, ensuring they are clean and ready to cook.
In a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it is fully melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Next, stir in the lemon zest and juice, followed by a sprinkle of salt to taste. Let this mixture simmer for another minute or two allowing it to combine well with the butter and garlic.
If you prefer your shrimp coated lightly before cooking, dust them with cornstarch or flour on both sides. This step is optional but recommended as it helps in achieving a perfect crispy texture after frying.
Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency (it should be thickened slightly from the natural reduction), add the shrimp to the skillet. Stir gently so that they are well coated with the buttery lemon garlic mixture.
Cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn opaque and firm to touch. Be careful not to overcook them as raw shrimp can sometimes cause food poisoning if not properly handled or cooked through thoroughly.
For extra color and flavor, sprinkle a small amount of paprika over the shrimp before serving. The heat from the paprika will complement the sweetness of the lemon and garlic.

Tips for Success:

To ensure even cooking, make sure all parts of the shrimp are immersed in the sauce when you first introduce them into the skillet. This allows for quicker browning on one side before flipping to cook the other.
Do not overcrowd your pan; cooking a few pieces at once ensures they will get nice and crispy. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than frying, which results in less flavorful shrimp.

The dish can be served with hot buttered rice or over pasta for an extra indulgent meal. It pairs wonderfully well with a side salad or fresh vegetables such as green beans or broccoli. For those who enjoy more robust flavors, consider adding some capers or cherry tomatoes to the lemon garlic butter sauce.

Variations:

Looking to try something different? Here are a couple of variations you can experiment with:

Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops: Replace shrimp with scallops for a similar but richer dish. You may need slightly more time due to scallops being thicker than shrimp.
Herb Infusion: Add some fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or tarragon to the sauce. This not only enhances flavor but also adds color and texture.

Presentation Tips:

To make your dish look visually appealing before serving, arrange the shrimp artfully on a platter. You could even drizzle extra lemon butter over them for an added touch of elegance.

p>Enjoy this simple yet delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe! Whether you're preparing it for a special occasion or just because you want to enjoy something tasty and easy at home, rest assured that your efforts will be rewarded with delightful meals.