If you love seafood that’s bright, buttery, and packed with zesty flavor, then the Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is an absolute must-try. This dish brings together tender, juicy shrimp baked to perfection in a luscious garlic lemon butter sauce that’s both comforting and invigorating. Easy enough for a weeknight and elegant enough to impress guests, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a vibrant, crave-worthy meal that I guarantee you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is simple yet plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and delivering the perfect texture. From the richness of butter to the tang of fresh lemon, every component works harmoniously.
- Large shrimp (1 1/2 lbs): Choose peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience and quick cooking.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): Provides a creamy base that carries the garlic and lemon flavors beautifully.
- Garlic cloves (4, minced): Adds aromatic warmth and depth to the sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice (1/4 cup): Brings a bright, citrusy zing that lifts the whole dish.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Boosts lemon flavor with fragrant oils for extra freshness.
- Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Offers a subtle kick if you like a touch of heat.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance every flavor note.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): A pop of color and herbaceous brightness for garnish.
- Lemon wedges: Perfect for extra squeezing at the table to amplify the citrus sensation.
How to Make Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking sheet lightly or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This sets the stage for perfectly baked shrimp with no fuss.
Step 2: Season the Shrimp
Lay your peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet. Season them generously with salt and pepper so that every bite bursts with flavor. Proper seasoning at this stage ensures your shrimp won’t be bland once baked.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. This mixture is the heart of the Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe. Its buttery richness combined with zesty lemon and garlic will coat the shrimp beautifully.
Step 4: Coat the Shrimp with Sauce
Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce evenly over the shrimp, making sure each piece is luxuriously coated. This is where the magic happens as the flavors infuse during baking, turning simple shrimp into something extraordinary.
Step 5: Bake the Shrimp
Bake your shrimp in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they are perfectly cooked when they turn pink, opaque, and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking can make shrimp rubbery, so keep a close eye.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp for a fresh, herbaceous finish. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zing right at the table.
How to Serve Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh parsley is my go-to because it adds a lovely green pop of color and a mild herbal note that contrasts nicely with the buttery sauce. A few lemon wedges served alongside allow everyone to add as much citrus brightness as they desire.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Steamed jasmine rice or fluffy couscous soak up the saucy goodness, while roasted vegetables bring earthiness and balance. A crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette can also refresh the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the baked shrimp over a bed of creamy polenta or tossed with linguine for a full seafood pasta dinner. Alternatively, you could skewer the shrimp and serve as elegant appetizers at your next gathering, drizzled with the warm garlic lemon butter sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers of this Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to two days, making for a quick, ready-to-eat meal or snack.
Freezing
While shrimp can be frozen, I recommend freezing before adding the butter sauce for best texture. Cooked shrimp can become slightly rubbery after freezing and reheating, so if you do freeze leftovers, store them without sauce and add fresh sauce when reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the shrimp gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a microwave at short intervals to avoid overcooking. Adding a spoonful of butter or a splash of lemon juice during reheating can help revive the fresh flavors.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry before cooking, so they bake evenly and absorb the garlic lemon butter sauce beautifully.
What if I don’t have fresh lemons?
Fresh lemon juice and zest are ideal because they deliver bright, vibrant flavor. However, bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, though zest should be fresh for the best aroma.
Can I add other spices or herbs?
Yes! Feel free to experiment with a pinch of smoked paprika, a sprinkle of thyme, or even fresh basil for a twist – though the original garlic lemon butter flavors shine brightest on their own.
Is this recipe spicy?
It’s mildly spicy only if you add the optional red pepper flakes. You can omit them completely to keep the dish gentle and buttery, perfect for all palates.
How do I know when the shrimp is cooked perfectly?
Shrimp turn pink and opaque when done. The flesh should be firm to the touch but still tender. Avoid overcooking as shrimp can become rubbery quickly.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe truly brings simple ingredients together for a spectacular meal. Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy weeknight dinner or serving it to friends, the bright flavors and buttery richness are sure to leave everyone delighted. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy every luscious bite!
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Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce is a simple yet flavorful seafood dish perfect for a quick and elegant meal. Juicy shrimp are coated in a zesty garlic lemon butter sauce and baked to perfection, making it a light and delicious option for dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on or off)
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the shrimp: Spread the peeled and deveined shrimp evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Season them with salt and pepper according to your taste to enhance the natural flavor.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir the mixture well to blend all the flavors.
- Coat the shrimp: Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce evenly over the shrimp, making sure each shrimp is thoroughly coated with the sauce to absorb the flavor during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the shrimp for 10-12 minutes. The shrimp are done when they turn pink, become opaque, and reach an internal temperature of 145°F, ensuring they are safely cooked but tender.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the shrimp from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zing.
Notes
- You can use tail-on shrimp for presentation or tail-off for easier eating.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preference for heat, or omit if you prefer no spice.
- Serve with crusty bread, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Ensure not to overcook the shrimp as they can become tough and rubbery.
- This dish can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
