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Quick Garlic Lime Shrimp: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic lime shrimp is a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner made with simple ingredients like shrimp, garlic, butter, and fresh lime. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights and sure to become a staple.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large lime, juiced and zested
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the shrimp: If frozen, thaw under cold running water or overnight in the refrigerator. Peel and devein if needed. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Zest and juice the lime: Wash the lime thoroughly. Using a microplane, zest the lime into a small bowl. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the same bowl. Set aside.
  3. Mince the garlic: Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
  4. Chop the cilantro: Rough chop the cilantro and set aside for garnishing.
  5. Heat the pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Swirl to combine. Let the butter melt and start to foam.
  6. Cook the garlic: Once the butter is foamy, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Do not burn.
  7. Sear the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, until a golden-brown sear forms on the bottom.
  8. Flip and finish: Flip the shrimp using tongs. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until pink, opaque, and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Do not overcook.
  9. Add the lime and butter: Reduce heat to low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the lime juice and zest mixture. Stir gently to coat the shrimp. Cook for 30 seconds more.
  10. Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce. Add more salt, pepper, or extra lime if needed.
  11. Serve immediately: Transfer shrimp to a serving platter or plates. Spoon remaining pan sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry for best sear. Add lime juice at the end to keep flavor bright. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter or ghee. For a creamy version, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream after removing shrimp.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick garlic lime shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, 20-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, garlic shrimp, lime shrimp

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/quick-garlic-lime-shrimp-easy-20-minute-dinner/