This easy garlic butter shrimp recipe is one of my go-to dinners when I need something quick but still really good. The oven does most of the work, and the fresh, vibrant garlic butter sauce brings everything together in the end. Garlic butter shrimp is ready in under 20 minutes, made with simple ingredients, and can be served on its own or paired with a variety of dishes as an add-on!
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If you're building a quick, easy dinner, this garlic butter shrimp pairs beautifully with a few simple dishes to round out the meal. For something fresh, try it with my strawberry goat cheese salad or my harvest spinach salad. If you're in the mood for something a little more filling, it also works well added to my Chipotle tacos or penne pasta with rośe sauce.
You can also serve this shrimp as a main dish with simple vegetable sides like my crispy kalettes or oven-roasted broccoli. Add a side of roasted garlic baguette garlic bread to soak up every bit of that buttery sauce, and you've got a delicious, complete meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This garlic butter shrimp recipe is ready in 20 minutes or less and is super easy to make!
- With my tips and tricks, you'll get juicy, perfectly baked shrimp every time.
- The homemade garlic butter sauce is next-level flavour, but it only uses four ingredients.
- Garlic butter shrimp can be served as a main dish, side, or add-on to many recipes.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Raw Shrimp (16/20 size) - Raw shrimp are grey, and cooked shrimp are pink. Ensure the shrimp are peeled and deveined.
- Paprika - Adds a subtle smoky warmth and color, but it can be omitted if you prefer.
- Fresh Garlic vs Garlic Powder - We use both because they give different layers and depth of flavor to the finished dish.
- Avocado Oil - Any high-smoke-point oil can be used.
- Fresh Parsley - Fresh parsley gives the finished dish a lovely, fragrant flavor. You can substitute dried if needed.
For exact quantities and the full list of ingredients, check the recipe card below.
How To Choose The Best Shrimp For Baking
Use raw shrimp for this recipe because they absorb seasoning better and stay tender, while pre-cooked shrimp can easily overcook and turn rubbery in the oven.
Shrimp sizes like 16/20 refer to how many are in a pound. Larger shrimp work best for baking, so aim for 16/20 or bigger. If you use bigger or smaller shrimp, adjust the cook time slightly.
Fresh or frozen both work, but frozen is often more convenient. To thaw, place shrimp in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes, repeat if necessary, then drain and pat dry before seasoning.
Recipe Modifications and Variations
- Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- Switch Up The Sauce - To make these shrimp more versatile for a stir-fry or fried rice dish, forgo the garlic butter and toss the baked shrimp with honey garlic sauce or teriyaki sauce.
- Make Garlic Butter Noodles with Shrimp - Boil some pasta and toss the pasta with cooked garlic butter shrimp, adding a bit of the pasta water to thin it out and make it all come together.
If you love shrimp recipes, you have to try my crispy bang bang shrimp, coconut shrimp and grilled shrimp skewers, too!"
How To Make This Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Step 1
Toss the shrimp with avocado oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Spread shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Step 2
Bake the shrimp for 12-14 minutes, flipping once in between.
While the shrimp are baking, make the garlic butter sauce!
Step 3
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the garlic and onion powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, then set aside.
Step 4
After the shrimp are fully cooked and have reached an internal temperature of 145°F. Transfer them to a large bowl and toss them with the garlic butter sauce.
Step 5
Serve as a main dish, side or an addition to pasta, wraps or rice bowls.
Try these garlic butter shrimp on my gouda mac and cheese recipe, or my garlic shrimp fettuccini alfredo. They are also delicious on a kale Caesar salad to make it a full meal.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- If you are using frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully defrosted before adding seasonings and baking.
- Pat the shrimp dry before adding oil and seasonings so that the spices stick to the shrimp.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Take care not to overcook the shrimp. Shrimp are fully cooked at an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking shrimp can make them turn rubbery, hard and chewy.
How To Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a frying pan to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
FAQ's
Yes! Season them in the same way and use a frying pan instead. Cook the shrimp over medium heat with a little bit of avocado oil until they are fully pink, and the internal temperature is at least 145°F. Pan frying takes about 8-10 minutes usually.
Of course! Just ensure that they are fully defrosted, patted dry, and that they have been deveined with their shells removed before seasoning and baking.
425°F is the optimal temperature for quick cooking and juicy results.
It's best fresh, but you can prep the seasonings and sauce ahead of time to save time.
Shrimp turn pink, opaque and curl slightly into a loose "C" shape, and the internal temperature needs to be at least 145°F.
More Seafood Recipes
Looking for more seafood recipes like this? Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe (Oven Baked)
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 lb Raw Shrimp 16/20 size
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
Garlic Butter Sauce
- ½ cup Butter
- 3-4 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley
- Red Chili Flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper until evenly coated. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
Garlic Butter Sauce
- While the shrimp are baking, make the garlic butter sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat. After the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and onion powder, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
- Once the shrimp are done baking, toss them in the garlic butter sauce and serve immediately.
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Notes
- Shrimp: Use raw shrimp for this recipe (raw shrimp are grey, pink shrimp are cooked). Make sure the shrimp are fully defrosted (if frozen), peeled and deveined.
- Avocado Oil: Any high-smoke-point oil can be used. Some other options are peanut or canola oil.
- Pat the shrimp dry using a paper towel before adding the oil and spices, and line the baking sheet with parchment paper for fast and easy clean up.
- Do not overcook the shrimp. The internal temperature of fully cooked shrimp is 145°F. Greatly overcooking the shrimp will result in a rubbery, chewy texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a frying pan over low heat to avoid overcooking.
- To make garlic butter shrimp in a frying pan, season the shrimp the same way and use a splash more oil. Cook over medium heat until they are fully pink and opaque. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes. When they are fully cooked, remove them from the pan and make the garlic butter sauce in the same pan for maximum flavour. When the sauce is made, remove the pan from the heat and toss the shrimp back in to fully coat them with the butter sauce.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
Garlic butter baked shrimp have been my favourite for a long, long, long time, and this recipe is perfect! I used to make these when I was a kid as an afterschool snack (no, I'm not kidding 😅). I hope you truly love this recipe as much as my family and I have.