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How to Sauté Shrimp in Butter: A Foolproof Guide for Perfect Results Every Time

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Hey there! I’m super excited to share my favorite method for making buttery, garlicky shrimp that’ll have your family begging for seconds As someone who cooks a ton of seafood, I’ve learned all the tricks for getting that perfect tender-yet-caramelized texture we all love. Let me walk you through exactly how to sauté shrimp in butter the right way!

What You’ll Need

Main Ingredients:

  • 1-1.5 pounds large or jumbo shrimp
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh lemon wedges
  • Optional: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes

Equipment:

  • Large skillet (preferably not non-stick)
  • Paper towels
  • Tongs

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Shrimp

First things first – proper prep is crucial! Here’s what ya gotta do:

  • Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge (or use the quick-thaw method)
  • Pat them SUPER dry with paper towels
  • Remove shells if needed (keep tails on for presentation if you want)
  • Season with salt and pepper

2. Get Your Pan Ready

  • Heat your skillet over medium-high heat
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (yep, we’re using both oil AND butter!)
  • Let it get nice and hot, but not smoking

3. The Perfect Sauté

  1. Place shrimp in a single layer (don’t crowd!)
  2. Let them cook untouched for 1-2 minutes until pink on bottom
  3. Flip each shrimp
  4. Push to one side of pan
  5. Add butter and minced garlic to empty side
  6. Once butter melts and starts foaming (about 30 seconds), mix everything together
  7. Cook another minute until shrimp are opaque

4. Finishing Touches

  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over top
  • Add chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy
  • Give it one final toss
  • Serve immediately while hot!

Pro Tips from My Kitchen

  1. Don’t Skip the Drying Step! Wet shrimp = steamed shrimp. We want that nice golden sear!

  2. Watch the Heat – Butter can burn quick If your pan gets too hot, take it off the heat for a sec

  3. Don’t Overcook – Shrimp tell you when they’re done

    • They turn from gray to pink
    • Form a “C” shape
    • Become opaque throughout
  4. Size Matters – Bigger shrimp (16-20 count) work best for sautéing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overcrowding the pan (cook in batches if needed)
  • Adding garlic too early (it’ll burn)
  • Cooking too long (nobody likes rubbery shrimp!)
  • Using only butter (combo with oil prevents burning)

Serving Suggestions

These buttery shrimp are amazing with:

  • Angel hair pasta
  • Fluffy rice
  • Crusty bread for sauce-soaking
  • Fresh salad
  • Roasted veggies

Storage Tips

While these are best fresh, leftovers will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. Just store them with all that yummy butter sauce and reheat gently in a pan over low heat.

Final Thoughts

Sautéing shrimp in butter isn’t rocket science, but getting it just right takes a bit of practice. Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp right in your kitchen! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding different seasonings or making it spicy with extra red pepper flakes.

Would you like me to explain any part of this guide in more detail?

how do you saute shrimp in butter

How To Make Lemon Garlic Shrimps

Step 1: Melt the fats

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add oil and butter and cook until fully melted together.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

Step 2: Sauté garlic and shallots

Add garlic and shallots to the pan and sauté until softened and fragrant, for a few minutes.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

Step 3- Add shrimp

Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer and cook for around 2-3 minutes per side, turning once. Add salt and pepper as the shrimp cooks.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

Step 4- Add dill and lemon juice off the heat

Pour the shrimp mixture into a bowl and stir in dill and lemon juice. Adjust for seasoning as needed and either serve hot immediately or chill and serve later.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

I have two favorite ways- if you have the time you can place the bag of frozen shrimp into your fridge to that overnight. The quickest way is to fully submerge in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes until fully thawed and drain well.

I always encourage you to purchase shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined to save time, but you can also do it yourself. Here are the steps: 1. Take a sharp paring knife and make a shallow slit down the shrimps back. 2. Peel off the shell- I gently pull the legs and usually that brings the shell with it. At this point you can also gently pull the tail off. 3. Use the tip of your knife to carefully remove the black vein going along the shrimps back and dispose of this.

Typically, raw shrimp is gray and when its cooked the color will changed to pink and the texture will be a bit more solid and opaque. The shrimp will also curl into more of a c shape.

Rubbery shrimp is typically an indication that your shrimp is overcooked. Shrimp tends to cook quickly, so try to turn after two minutes and remove from heat after another 2 minutes.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

Ingredient Information and Substitutions

  • Shrimp- Frozen raw shrimp is my go-to for this and I like to remove the tails. In terms of the size of the shrimp, this recipe works best with large shrimp (the package may say 35/40 shrimp and this indicates how many shrimp per pound at that size). I prefer them peeled, deveined and tails removed for effortless eating.
  • Fats- I mix olive oil with salted butter because the oil helps keep the butter from burning. My preference for salted butter is all about adding more flavor, but if you only have unsalted, just add a little more salt as they cook.
  • Produce- Chopped shallot and minced garlic (measure with your heart) add a ton of flavor while lemon juice and chopped fresh dill add just the right burst of freshness. Fresh lemon juice is preferable and you can always substitute fresh chopped dill for 1-2 teaspoons of dried dill.
  • Seasoning- I keep it simple with Kosher salt and ground black pepper- be sure to season as the shrimp are cooking for the best results and of course, taste and adjust seasonings just before serving.

how do you saute shrimp in butter

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

FAQ

How long to sauté shrimp in butter?

Sautéing shrimp in butter typically takes 2-4 minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp. Smaller shrimp will cook faster, while larger shrimp will require a bit more time. The shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque, and the flesh curls slightly, forming a “C” shape.

Is it better to saute shrimp in oil or butter?

It’s better to saute or sear shrimp in oil since it has a higher smoke point than butter. However, either will work. You can also toss cooked shrimp in melted butter if you really want that butter flavor.

Can you use butter instead of oil for shrimp?

My all time favorite shrimp are ones that are loaded with butter and garlic. This recipe is very similar to Gambas al Ajillo, a Spanish tapas dish that cooks shrimp in a lot of olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. I took inspiration from that recipe and made it with butter instead.

How to cook buttered shrimp step by step?

Instructions
  1. Marinate the shrimp in lemon soda for about 10 minutes.
  2. Melt the butter in a pan.
  3. Add the garlic. Cook in low heat until the color turns light brown.
  4. Put-in the shrimp. Adjust heat to high. …
  5. Season with ground black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Stir.
  6. Add parsley. Cook for 30 seconds.
  7. Serve hot.

How do you cook sauteed shrimp?

Sauteed shrimp is a quick and easy meal that packs a ton of flavor. With just a few simple ingredients like garlic butter and lemon you can make restaurant-quality shrimp from the comfort of your own kitchen. The key to perfect sauteed shrimp is cooking it properly so it turns out tender and juicy, while infusing it with aromatic garlic butter.

How do you cook garlic butter shrimp?

Turn the shrimp and add 2 teaspoons ( 6 grams) of minced garlic (about 2 cloves) and continue to sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are pink and no longer translucent. They should all have the tails curled in, be firm, and opaque (remove any shrimp whose tails do not curl in). How can I add spice to garlic butter shrimp?

What is sautéed shrimp?

Sautéed shrimp is a quick and easy recipe to make juicy and flavorful shrimp in just 10 minutes. These shrimp have a great flavor from a perfect combination of butter, garlic, and simple seasoning. At the end of a long day, the last thing most of us want to do is spend a lot of time making dinner.

How do you cook pan seared shrimp?

This easy, simple, and fast pan seared shrimp is sautéed with butter and olive oil to create crispy browned shrimp on the outside and tender juicy shrimp on the inside. Pan seared shrimp are cooked on the stove and done in a matter of a couple minutes. this … Don’t disturb the shrimp while you cook them.

Can you use olive oil to make garlic butter shrimp?

Butter and olive oil are both good options for cooking shrimp, so it’s up to personal preference. Butter adds a rich, creamy taste to shrimp, whereas olive oil imparts a grassy, lightly fruity flavor. Substituting olive oil makes this recipe dairy-free. Can you use frozen shrimp to make garlic butter shrimp?

What is garlic butter shrimp?

Garlic butter shrimp is a quick-cooking dish that’s versatile enough to work on its own or as part of any meal. Don’t forget some bread to sop up that fragrant sauce. Garlic butter shrimp holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first dishes I learned to cook as a college student.

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