Buttery Garlic Shrimp Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Seafood enthusiasts constantly seek out a delectable garlic shrimp recipe that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.

This creamy garlic shrimp delivers a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

Succulent shrimp bathe in a rich, velvety sauce that whispers of garlic and comfort.

Each bite promises a harmony of smooth textures and bold Mediterranean-inspired seasonings.

Tender shrimp curl elegantly in the luxurious sauce, creating a dish that feels both indulgent and surprisingly simple.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate how quickly this meal comes together.

Serve over pasta or rice to transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary moment that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What People Love About Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Perfect for busy home cooks who want a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques.
• Combines classic ingredients like garlic, white wine, and parmesan to create a rich, mouth-watering sauce that elevates simple shrimp.
• Works beautifully as an elegant dinner option or a crowd-pleasing appetizer that suits multiple dining scenarios from weeknight meals to special gatherings.
• Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking process that uses just a single skillet, making preparation and washing up super convenient.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Shrimp: Large seafood protein that forms the heart of this creamy dish.
• White Wine: Liquid that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy product that creates a smooth, luxurious sauce.
• Butter: Foundational ingredient that provides richness and helps build the sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the shrimp.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, tangy cheese that helps thicken and enrich the sauce.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides a robust, savory flavor to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and a fresh note to the finished dish.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat used for searing the shrimp and preventing sticking.

Easy Directions for Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Step 1: Prepare Succulent Shrimp

Spread shrimp in a single layer on a clean cutting board.

Sprinkle generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring each morsel gets seasoned perfectly.

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to help achieve a beautiful golden sear.

Step 2: Sizzle and Seal

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot and shimmering.

Carefully place shrimp in the pan, leaving space between each piece to prevent steaming.

Cook for 1-2 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and cook an additional minute until shrimp turn pink and curl into a delicate “J” shape.

Transfer seared shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Craft Luxurious Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet.

Once butter melts completely, introduce minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until wonderfully aromatic.

Pour in white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the pan’s bottom.

Allow the wine to reduce by half, creating an intense flavor base.

Step 4: Create Creamy Perfection

Gently stir heavy cream into the reduced wine mixture.

• Freshly grated parmesan
• Stir continuously until cheese melts completely
• Sauce should become smooth and glossy, coating the back of a spoon beautifully

Step 5: Reunite and Garnish

Return seared shrimp to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the luscious sauce.

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a vibrant finishing touch.

Serve immediately while piping hot, ready to delight eager taste buds.

Top Tips for Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect sear and avoid watery, tough texture.
• Choose a crisp, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the creamy sauce without overpowering the delicate shrimp flavor.
• Use medium-high heat for initial shrimp searing and reduce to medium when making the sauce to prevent burning garlic and separating cream.
• Grate fresh parmesan cheese and add gradually while stirring to create a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats the shrimp beautifully.
• Chop parsley just before garnishing to maintain bright green color and maximize its aromatic, fresh flavor profile.

Reheat and Store Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
• Warm shrimp on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of cream or water to prevent drying out and maintain sauce consistency.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Use a small amount of butter or cream to restore sauce's creamy texture and prevent overcooking the delicate shrimp.
• Freeze sauce and shrimp separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

What Pairs Well With Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the rich, creamy garlic sauce, cutting through the richness with their bright, acidic notes.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Soak up the delectable sauce with warm, toasted bread slices, enhancing the garlic flavors and adding a delightful textural contrast.
• Match with Light Arugula Salad: Create a fresh, peppery side dish with arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to balance the creamy shrimp's decadence.
• Choose Buttery Chardonnay: An oaked Chardonnay echoes the butter and cream in the sauce, creating a harmonious and luxurious dining experience.

Try These Variations on Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Shrimp: Replace traditional pasta with riced cauliflower, keeping the creamy garlic sauce intact while reducing carbohydrate content for keto dieters.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Version: Swap heavy cream and parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, creating a lactose-free alternative that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Herb-Infused Option: Use gluten-free white wine and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, adding fresh thyme or basil for enhanced Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Adaptation: Incorporate Cajun seasoning into shrimp coating, adding red pepper flakes to sauce for a zesty, New Orleans-inspired transformation that brings extra heat and complexity.

FAQs

• Why should I use medium-high heat for searing shrimp?

Medium-high heat creates a perfect golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. It helps develop a delicious caramelized crust and prevents the shrimp from becoming rubbery.

• How do I know when my shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Look for two key signs: the shrimp turn pink and curl into a “J” shape. This typically takes 1-2 minutes per side. Overcooked shrimp become tough and lose their delicate texture.

• Can I substitute white wine in the sauce?

If you don’t have white wine, use chicken broth or seafood stock as an alternative. These options will still provide depth of flavor to your creamy sauce without changing the overall essence of the recipe.

• What type of parmesan cheese works best?

Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest, most flavorful sauce. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy and less creamy.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic shrimp dances with rich, velvety sauce in this Mediterranean-inspired delicacy. Seafood enthusiasts will savor each perfectly seasoned bite, discovering pure culinary bliss on their plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) medium raw shrimp, deveined, peeled, tails on or off

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) neutral oil (avocado oil, olive oil, refined coconut oil)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) grated fresh parmesan, at room temperature
• Finely chopped fresh parsley to taste

Serving Options:

• Mashed potatoes
• Mashed cauliflower
• Mashed palmini
• Prepared pasta of choice
• Prepared palmini
• Rice
• Cauliflower rice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp by laying them out on a cutting board and seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor profile.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place shrimp in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and curl into a “J” shape. Remove shrimp and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour in white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom. Reduce wine by half.
4. Stir cream into the wine reduction, creating a smooth base. Gradually incorporate parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes glossy and thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
5. Gently return seared shrimp to the pan, coating them thoroughly with the creamy garlic sauce. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a vibrant finish and immediate serving.

Notes

• Select jumbo or large shrimp for the best texture and presentation, ensuring they cook evenly without becoming rubbery.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming in the pan.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a smoother, more authentic sauce that melts more consistently than pre-shredded varieties.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 300 mg