🦐 4-Ingredient Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
When dinner needs to come together quickly but still feels a little special, this 4-Ingredient Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is the perfect choice. Made in just one pan with a handful of simple ingredients, it delivers rich, restaurant-quality flavor in under 20 minutes. Tender shrimp are coated in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights or an easy weekend dinner.
Serve it over pasta, steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or with warm crusty bread to soak up every drop of the creamy sauce. Pair it with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Garlic
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
- Cook the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and almost fully cooked.
- Make the Cream Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently to combine. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp beautifully.
- Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Over linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- With steamed white rice
- Over creamy mashed potatoes
- Alongside roasted asparagus or green beans
- With warm crusty bread for dipping
💡 Variations & Tips
- Add Freshness: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cooks very quickly. Remove from the heat as soon as they are pink, opaque, and gently curled.
- Make It Go Further: Toss the shrimp and sauce with cooked pasta or spoon it over rice for a heartier meal.
- Alternative Protein: This creamy garlic butter sauce is also delicious with chicken breast or sautéed mushrooms.
✨ Creamy, buttery, garlicky, and incredibly easy—this simple shrimp recipe is guaranteed to become one of your favorite quick dinner recipes!