Florida Garlic Butter Shrimp — 15-Minute Skillet
Back to Recipes
ShrimpEasy

Florida Garlic Butter Shrimp — 15-Minute Skillet

Prep: 5 minCook: 10 minServes: 4

Florida is shrimp country. From the Mayport shrimp boats to the Apalachicola Bay, sweet Gulf shrimp are a way of life down here. This garlic butter shrimp recipe is the one you'll come back to again and again — it takes 15 minutes, uses pantry ingredients, and tastes like something from a waterfront seafood shack. Serve it as an appetizer, over rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every drop of that garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Crusty bread or rice for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt.

  2. 2

    Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it foam.

  3. 3

    Add shrimp in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook 2 minutes per side until pink and curled. Remove to a plate.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant — don't burn the garlic.

  5. 5

    Pour in white wine and lemon juice. Scrape up browned bits. Let simmer 1 minute until slightly reduced.

  6. 6

    Return shrimp to the skillet. Toss in the sauce, sprinkle with parsley, and cook 30 seconds.

  7. 7

    Serve immediately over rice or with crusty bread. Spoon extra butter sauce over the top.

  8. 8

    Garnish with lemon wedges and extra parsley.

💡

Pro Tip

Don't overcook shrimp — they go from perfect to rubbery in about 30 seconds. Look for the C-shape curl; if they curl into an O, they're overdone. Wild-caught Gulf shrimp are worth the extra cost over imported. If using frozen shrimp, thaw in cold water, not the microwave. For extra flavor, add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika. The butter sauce is amazing on crusty bread — don't waste a drop.

More Recipes You'll Love